Pablo Picasso earned international acclaim for his paintings, sculptures and graphics. He also dabbled in ceramics. From now until Nov. 28, you only have to go as far as the Polk Museum of Art to see 65 pieces created by the versatile artist.
The exhibit is on loan from the collection of Edward Weston, owner of one of the largest Picasso sculpture collections in the United States. It includes ceramic plates, bowls, pitchers, vases and plaques, plus photos of Picasso at work.
See a rectangular shaped dish with three sardines, a blue ice-pitcher and an orange round dish painted with a smiling spread-winged black owl.
During a recent visit to the museum, Weston, who lives in California, talked about his collection and his favorite piece.
"I keep her in my living room," he said of the Woman's Head Crowned with Flowers pitcher, created in 1954. "At night I take it in my bedroom so it is the first thing I see in the morning." .
Another exhibit at the museum, until Nov. 7, is "Doors and Springs" by Margaret Ross Tolbert, an artist from Gainesville. The paintings are of clear natural springs in North and Central Florida, and the complex architectural designs created on Turkish doors.
See the museum's outdoor sculpture garden with works from the permanent collection along with a water wall.
Permanent collections at the Polk Museum consist of American art dating back to 1900, with an emphasis on contemporary Florida art; pre-Columbian artifacts; Asian art from the 5th through the 20th centuries; and European decorative arts including Georgian silver.
POLK MUSEUM OF ART
WHERE: 800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland. (863) 688-7743 WHEN: Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
COST: $5 for adults; $3 for students with ID; under age 5 admitted free (during Picasso exhibit).
