The always-worth-visiting Vero Beach Museum of Art has some great offerings right now and through January 11, 2011. It’s only a 15-minute stroll from the city marina and it would be well worth visiting, even if it is two shuttle buses away from where you are docked. For those at the city marina, turn right at the marina exit, cross the highway (not so bad — there are traffic lights); the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway will be on your right; follow the signs to the museum.
Our favorite exhibit of the current three is Metamorphosis: Abstract Works by Federico Uribe — and he’s not kidding about the metamorphosis part. The artist uses CDs, vinyl records, retired library books, chopsticks and plastic forks and transforms them into works of art. Federico Uribe was born in Colombia and now lives in Florida. This small exhibit packs a wallop — each item gave us a double-take as in “those are chopsticks?!!!”
Don’t just look around you, also look up in the corners of the ceiling — in this installation the metaphor of “art is everywhere” is also literal. I asked the security guard which of Uribe’s work was his favorite and he said: Everything! I urge you to visit this exhibit and promise you that plastic forks will never be the same.
The featured special exhibit, Fay, is a selection of William Wegman’s charming and bizarre photographs of his second weimaraner Fay Ray; the entrance fee is $5 and includes two 30-minute movies in the auditorium and on a video monitor outside the exhibit a series of shorts he did for Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live. The Saturday Night Live dog baseball game is a hoot.
Mr. Wegman bought Fay three years after the death of what may have been the most photographed Weimaraner in the world — Man Ray. As bereft as Wegman was, a four-month old weimaraner puppy named Cinnamon Girl captured his heart and he was soon taking pictures of dogs again. He renamed the puppy Fay Ray and she proved to be quite the actress and performer. A docent is on hand to give you background information on Mr. Wegman and his work.
Just across the hall is a small salon with the third special exhibit, but don’t let the small size fool you — this is a fascinating, varied exhibit worth savoring. Clearly Color offers selections from the museum’s collection of glass works. Each item is a jewel. Note that some of the works are by Dale Chihuly, his first assistant and the assistant’s student. It’s fun to see the relationships of teaching and inspiration in their works.
If you are headed for Vero Beach after January 11, check out the next series of special exhibits. It’s a wonderful, creative museum with a splendid sculpture garden and sense of humor.
Captain Jane
S/V Lady Jane

Basic Information:
Vero Beach Museum of Art,
Tuesday through Saturday, 10 to 4:30
Sunday, 1 to 4:30
http://www.vbmuseum.org/index.cfm