COURT ROOM SESSIONS: AN UNWRAPPING
Court Room Sessions: An Unwrapping
In the landscape of offerings hosted by The Arts Council of Martin County, perhaps none is quite
as unique or striking as the Court Room Sessions exhibitions.
Featuring an eclectic array of pieces from local and regional artists, both exhibitions have carried
the air of cutting edge visual art and offer a glimpse into approaches not as readily seen in Martin County.
Perhaps, even more striking, have been the opening receptions of each show. In addition to the stellar
artwork, the evenings have included live music as well as local vendors and have drawn an audience as
diverse as the show itself.
“It has been such a shot of energy to our local arts offerings,” shared Arts Council Board member
Robert Ankrom. “I have visited so many other cities that have held these sorts of shows and it has been so
great to see that something like this is truly needed and valued.”
Court Room Sessions is the brainchild of our Communications and Membership Manager, Elise
Raffa. In her fourth year with the Council, Elise has made her mark as a creative and thoughtful liaison
in spreading the mission and name recognition of the Council, but this newest contribution truly ups the
ante considerably. We took the opportunity of this latest success to get to know Elise - and the idea behind
Court Room Sessions - a bit better.
Liz McKinley Liz McKinley
Summer | Fall 2018 | MartinArts 7
Share a bit of detail about your
artistic background.
I studied studio art with a concentration
in photography at Florida Atlantic University
and graduated with my BFA in 2013. I was
nominated in 2013 as Best of New Times Broward/
Palm Beach “Best Visual Artist” and was awarded
PDN’s Emerging Photographer in 2014.
What, in your mind, is Court Room
Sessions all about?
My intention with Court Room Sessions
was to try to break the norm of familiararts and
music within the community and provide a
counterculture experience to those who attend.
Looking back on the last two CS openings
- what aspect made you the proudest?
There was such an undeniable energy and buzz
during both the opening nights – faces and ages
of all backgrounds were in attendance, making
connections and havin fun. I find at times there
can be a bit of a divide between the generations
within this community, and I loved that the
artsbrought us all together. It builds a stronger
sense of community through something new and
exciting that any age, race, gender, ethnicity can
relate to.
For more insights and photos from Court
Room Sessions... see the rest of the story at www.
martinarts.blog
Liz McKinley Liz McKinley