French Dignitaries to Attend PMA La Francophonie Event

Dignitaries from five French-speaking countries will visit Lakeland for the Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College’s March 23 La Francophonie Dayevent.

This event marks the first time PMA in collaboration with FSC, Polk State College, Florida Dance Theatre, and the City of Lakeland, will honor this annual internationally recognized day of celebrating French language and culture globally.

The museum’s La Francophonie Day Celebration scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. will pay tribute to the 300 million French speakers living on five continents. This free half-day program will feature a Degas Exhibition Curator Talk & Tour; French-inspired still life and landscape pastel painting for children and adults; and French music, singing, poetry and dance performances by Florida Southern and Polk State French students, Pearl of Nation Haitian Creole dance troupe, and Florida Dance Theatre. Various French cuisine and beverages will be available to purchase.

Additionally, Mayor Bill Mutz has declared March 23ras La Francophonie Day in the City of Lakeland and will award proclamations to the visiting dignitaries at a 12:15 p.m. Opening Ceremony, where PMA Executive Director Claire Orologas and FSC President Dr. Anne Kerr will speak. Dignitaries who will be present to accept awards are the Consul General of France in Miami Clément Leclerc, Consul General of Canada in Miami Susan Harper, Consul of Haiti in Miami Myrlande Lafont Pillet, Consul of Haiti in Orlando Pierre Max Charles, Honorary Consul of Belgium in Miami Manuel Molina, Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Orlando Luc Berkhardt, Honorary Consul of France in Orlando Brigitte Dagot Jensen, and Honorary Consul of France for the west coast of Florida Jean-Charles Faust.

This PMA event has been sanctioned by the Organisation international de la Francophonie in Paris as an official observer of Journée internationale de la Francophonie. Regional, national and international partners are supporting this education program via sponsorships and grants. They include The Mahoney Group of Lakeland, A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure of Bartow, Colette and Buzz Tarver in association with the State Farm Companies Foundation, Fishman Foundation of New York City, France Florida Foundation for the Arts in Miami, and the Consulate General of Canada.

Francophiles of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend this free French global celebration. For more details, contact Director of Arts Advancement Suzanne Grossberg at sgrossberg@polkmuseumofart.orgor call 863-688-7743 ext. 298.

About the Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College

The Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, is a private, not-for-profit academic fine art museum dedicated to promoting inspirational and engaging arts experiences for all. It is one of the Top 10 art museums in the State of Florida, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and the only art museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums serving the 666,000 residents of Polk County. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesdays–Saturdays; 1-5 p.m. Sundays (closed Sundays June 1 through Labor Day) and closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is free year-round, thanks to the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation, Share Foundation, and Southern Homes Amy & Ed Laderer. The Museum is fully accessible.