Feature Story and Photos by Larry H. Oskin, SOUTH LAKE TABLET
The Town of Oakland launched “La Florida, Celebrating Florida’s Hispanic Heritage” as a new art and history exhibition at the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center.
The La Florida Hispanic Heritage exhibition features history, artwork, sculpture, paintings, photographs and memorabilia. inspired by Hispanic heritage and created by well-known Florida artists who the guests were able to personally meet. Celebrated artists included Jose Pardo, Jesus Marin, Francisco Arias, Alejandro Selmi, Violeta Militaru, Heather Lorenz, Fabian Pesci, Dave Minichiello, Joe Warren, Lori Warren, Kelley Batson-Howard, Erick Marquez, Aury Perez, George Stuart, Ivan Delgado, Roger Ballas, Carol Brown, Jambvant Ramoutar, Tom Eder and Anne Fanelli. With plenty of local dignitaries and all of the artists in attendance, the opening reception party as open to the public, while featuring music by the flamenco Don Soledad Group and food trucks.
Administrative Services Manager, Elisha Pappacoda shares, “We are all very proud of our community and our Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center here in Oakland. Oakland has been rapidly growing over the past few years. This second annual Hispanic Heritage Art and History has become our signature event to help us celebrate the strong and growing Hispanic population here in Oakland. While Oakland may be one of Florida’s best-kept secrets, it has very rich citrus and farming industry history dating back to the indigenous pioneers who first settled here in the 1800s. “
Over 130 years ago, Oakland was the industrial and social hub of Orange County. Now, some important remnants of that original heyday remain in this small hamlet that was once a booming railroad town in the late 1800s. Oakland was best known for its train station that started in Johns Lake and ran to Tampa, Florida with the train company’s headquarters here. The Orange Belt Railroad has since been converted to the West Orange Trail with Florida’s Rails to Trails project. Some of the wonderful oak trees are over 200 years old. Some of the houses built for railroad workers still exist. A severe freeze in 1894-95 killed most of the citrus groves, leaving the Orange Belt Line with almost no freight to ship. Oakland now has about 5,000 residents, with a very strong Hispanic presence. Oakland became the center of Orange County’s social and economic life with people of wealth and fashion coming to the hotel and neighboring homes for the winter social season,” wrote author Eve Bacon in a book entitled Oakland, the Early Years, which traces the town’s history. Many say that “If it had not been for the failure of the railroad, Oakland may well have become the population center of Orange County.”
Town Commissioner for the past 7 years, Sal Ramos notes, “I am very proud of Oakland and thankful for this special event. It is my privilege and honor to be an ambassador for the celebration of our Hispanic Heritage. While our Hispanic residents are strong and growing, I am happy that so many come to me for help with Oakland planning, zoning, language challenges and events.”
The Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center is committed to preserving Oakland’s past, present and future. Working with its partners, the Center provides important tools and social connections to help residents eat well, stay healthy, active and enjoy life. This project is funded in part by a $1 million lead grant from the West Orange Healthcare District as well as funding from Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program as well as by help from many generous donors. The Center supports the mission of Healthy West Orange, a grassroots movement to inspire west Orange County to become the healthiest community in the nation.
Elisha Pappacoda adds, “With our rich history, heritage and traditions, Oakland will also soon celebrate with a Heritage Day Festival on January 28, 2023.”
Oakland Arts & Heritage Center is located at 126 West Petris Avenue, Oakland, FL 34760. Phone: 407-656-1117. Visit: www.OaklandFL.gov/artsandheritage, www.OaklandFl.gov and https://www.facebook.com/OakTownUSA. Sal Ramos can be contacted by email at: SRamos@OaklandFL.gov.
