The Main Street Vero Beach (MSVB) Gallery introduces the unique and intriguing art of  ERNEST DALLAND at the First Friday Gallery Stroll this Friday, August 2, 2013 from 5 to 8 PM where galleries in the Arts District downtown will provide refreshments and delectable’s and feature the creativity of numerous local artists. The First Friday Gallery Stroll along 14^th Avenue is one of historic downtown’s regular events helping to rekindle community pride and focus on the ever more exciting downtown environment.

MSVB Gallery’s “Featured Artist” for August is especially impressive as he is a long time North Hutchinson Island resident who has seldom consented to display his work. This will be Ernest’s first gallery show outside of the New York area although selections of his work have been featured in the Backus Museum in Fort Pierce and adorn the homes of numerous private collectors worldwide. In his collection of acrylics on canvas, oil pastels and mixed media, one sees the influence of Gauguin, Modigliani, Munsch and Picasso.

Born in Brooklyn, Dalland holds a degree in Art and Design from Long Island Technical College. As a successful nightclub owner in the New York area for many years, his work reveals his keen interest in interpreting the faces of people, showcasing musicians, entertainers, couples and revealing both his personal insights and sense of humor. “I work intuitively,” Dalland says.” It is a process that begins with a strong emotion or impression but that evolves as I work. I might ‘finish’ a painting one day and wake up the next morning and totally change it. Art, like life, needs to be open to change.”

Ernest will be on hand to discuss his work Friday night, but his art will continue to be available at the Gallery throughout the month of August. Be sure to ask him about his first job right out of college when he was chosen to represent the Schaffer Beer Brewery, or about his work with the Goodyear Tire Company.  For you of the rock and roll generation in New York, you may recall his “Somewhere Else” nightclub in Harlem. Dalland is an interesting and modest man who today thinks of himself as more of a tennis and golf player than an artist. But his work speaks for itself and chances are it will speak to you as well!

Main Street Vero Beach Gallery & Studios is an artist collective leasing space to create, feature and sell their work.  Leases are for six months at a nominal fee of $160.50 monthly and artists work together on window décor and sharing coverage during gallery open hours.  Currently a 7’ X 11’ space is available for lease.  Artists in-house at present include Laff & Leslie Lafferandre – Etchings & Calligraphy, Sharon Wilson – Fine Jewelry Design, Ned Noland – Old Florida Landscapes, and Alice McKenna – Fun Jewelry Design.

Main Street Vero Beach (MSVB) is a non-profit organization affiliated with the Florida Main Street program and is a member of The National Main Street Center a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  Nationally, Main Street’s 4-point approach of Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring has transformed the way communities revitalize, promote and manage their historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.  Main Streets across America thrive again living on as places of shared memory where people still come together to live, work, shop, dine, and play.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:  Tammy Adams, Executive Director, Main Street Vero Beach, 772-643-6782 or at info@mainstreetverobeach.org