by Dan Perkins

Collabo, which is an exhibit featuring works by five South Florida artists, might have remained an idea in the mind of Nerissa Street, who organized the exhibit, were it not for the enthusiastic support of a variety of sponsors, including the Broward County Main Library.

The library is located in the heart of downtown Ft. Lauderdale, within walking distance of the beach and trendy restaurants.  The Broward County Main Library is housed in a 250,000 square foot facility nestled along the 100 block of South Andrews between Broward Boulevard and Himmarshee Street.

On the sixth floor of the Main Library is Gallery 6, a 5,000 square foot space that has been exhibiting the work of local and international artists since 2002.

Callabo, which will run through January 20, 2007,  is the result of several levels of successful collaboration spearheaded by the tireless maverick named Nerissa Street. 

To successfully launch Collabo, Street had to line up engaging works of art, a great location, plenty of promotion, and a smashing debut. 

Street was confident that the five artists invited to participate in Collabo would produce engaging works of art, but she needed to find a suitable space in a prominent location.

Gallery 6 was not her first choice for Collabo.  Street originally approached another institution, but found its director unreceptive to the concept of artist-entrepreneurs.  What Street needed was "an angel" who would embrace her vision and provide access to highly visible space.

Tanya Simons-Oparah (pictured below) turned out to be just the person Street needed.  Simons-Oparah is the director of outreach services for the Broward County Libraries.  She routinely works with community-based organizations to promote the arts, and has considerable experience forming partnerships with community groups.  Over the years, she and her team have empowered residents to utilize the services of the county’s libraries more extensively.

Simons-Oparah’s career coincides with the growth of the Broward County Libraries. When she joined the institution in 1977, the county had no permanent library facilities of its own.  Only two libraries existed at that time, and both were housed in rented spaces.  Today, the county owns and operates 38 library facilities. 

“It’s been quite a journey,” said Simons-Oparah.

The growth of the library system in Broward County mirrors the phenomenal growth of the region over the past 30 years.

South Florida’s population continues to grow and change; and the rapidly shifting demographics of the region have required Simons-Oparah and her staff to pursue creative approaches to fulfilling their mission. 

“Now, I work with newcomer populations - so-called refugees - people who come from other parts of the world who are trying to become adjusted, socialized and acculturated to American culture,” said Simons-Oparah whose department is tasked with developing programs for the county’s many diverse populations, including new arrivals.

There is also an international component to Simon-Oparah’s work, which reflects South Florida’s proximity to Caribbean and Central American countries.  “I work with the consulate-generals of many countries,” said Simons-Oparah who named the governments she is currently working with including Israel, several Caribbean nations and Brazil.  “We work with them to bring in artists, and to develop programs that validate their cultures in this country,” she explained.

When Simons-Oparah first joined the library, her initial focus was the African American community and communities that had “no tradition of using libraries.”  While the focus at the library has expanded considerably over the past thirty years, Simons-Oparah enthusiastically embraced Collabo, which in many respects represented a return to her roots.

“We’ve had exhibits called ‘Starving Artists,’” explained Simons-Oparah. “(Collabo) is the antithesis of that.  (It) says you can be an artist and not starve; and I think that’s really important.  We need to groom our young people who are talented to understand that in addition to the art, there is also a business perspective.”

If artists are unable to blend right-brain and left-brain disciplines associated with being an artist-entrepreneur, Simons hopes that they will join The Artist Initiative, which Street founded to help artists understand the business end of art.

Street credits Simons-Oparah for not only getting the concept of Collabo, but for being the driving force within the Broward County Library system that brought the exhibit into reality.  “She deserves a lot of the credit for the success of our opening night,” said Street who expressed concern for the future now that Simons-Oparah is preparing for retirement.

When asked about the Library’s future outreach efforts, Simons-Oparah stated confidently, “I have a very experienced staff, they know how to get things done.”  While time will determine what that will mean for future exhibits, Street couldn't be happier with the level of support she received for the initial installation of Collabo.

Street is also pleased that eight minority- and women-owned businesses agreed to promote the exhibit and sponsor its opening event.

In addition to media sponsorship of diversityinbusiness.com, Street received support from the following business entities:

• The Coffee Scene – a South Florida coffeehouse that provided an excellent sampling of coffees and treats during the opening. 

• Ed King's Kaleidoscope Conspiracy - a graphic arts and design firm that provided design services for Collabo.

• Grateful Chalice – a purveyor of fine wines that provided an outstanding selection of wines for the opening event.

• Riddims Marketing Network, Inc. – South Florida-based media consultants that provide marketing and PR services for Collabo and it's debut.

• Rosen Photography provided photographic services during the opening.

• Sugarcane Magazine – an online forum for artists of the African Diaspora.

Collabo artist Ed King might be the embodiment of the artist-entrepreneur.  He has established a mutually enhancing relationship with Laura and George Carbonell, owners of The Coffee Scene.  King designed the logo for the Carbonell's brand; and the Carbonells are supporting King by displaying merchandise from his Kaleidoscope Conspiracy collection at their store.

The Carbonells welcomed the opportunity to support Collabo; and during the opening of the exhibit, they networked with guests and other sponsors to plant the seeds for future growth.

"That's exactly the type of networking this event was designed to foster," said Street.

The End