How long is the talk?

The presentation and conversation run about two hours total.

Do I need to book in advance?

Booking is recommended to secure one of the twenty spots; use the referral link for current availability.

Is the installation wheelchair accessible?

The gallery space is compact; contact the gallery in advance via the referral link to confirm accessible seating and accommodations.

Can I bring children?

There’s no formal age limit listed, but the talk’s reflective format suits teens and adults—check with the host if bringing younger children.

May I photograph the installation?

Photography policies vary; please check with gallery staff before taking photos and respect any no-flash rules to protect artwork.

Is participation required?

Participation in writing or sketching prompts is optional—visitors are welcome to observe or engage at their comfort level.

Inside Over at Bob & Margie’s: Janas Smith Durkee’s Interactive Artist Talk in Longwood

Inside a compact gallery on the edge of Longwood, Florida, Janas Smith Durkee’s room-sized installation Over at Bob & Margie’s invites visitors to slow down and listen to the domestic histories that shape identity. Located in Longwood, just north of Orlando and minutes from Wekiwa Springs, the installation folds family photographs, found imagery, and contemporary figurative painting into a lived-in space that reads like a house of memories. For two hours, the artist leads an interactive talk that traces the project from concept to construction, then opens the floor for participants to reflect, write, and share. Durkee’s presentation is as much about craft as it is about recollection. She explains how scale and staging transform ordinary objects into narrative anchors, how a single photograph can pivot a painting’s emotion, and how accumulated fragments—labels, postcards, small textiles—act as proof of lived time. The room itself is a key feature: domestic furniture repurposed as display, walls layered with polaroids and painted figures, and intimate vignettes that reward careful movement. Visitors often notice the tactile surfaces—paper, linen, reclaimed wood—and the quiet way light reveals brushwork and fingerprints. The talk naturally becomes a conversation. Durkee uses gentle prompts to invite audience contributions, offering optional sketching or writing exercises that help translate private memories into public language. Participants leave with more than an artist’s process: they gain a framework for thinking about memory, the architecture of homes, and the ways ordinary objects anchor belonging. The session suits small groups—attendance is capped at twenty—so expect a focused, participatory experience rather than a lecture. Practical details matter: the show runs roughly two hours, seating is limited, and the gallery space is compact, so arrive a few minutes early if you need accessible seating or want to view the installation before the talk. Longwood’s historic downtown, nearby Wekiwa Springs State Park, and quiet neighborhood parks make easy additions to a day of looking and walking. Because the installation foregrounds personal artifacts, visitors are encouraged to bring a small object or a photograph to reference if they’d like to participate. This experience is a special part of the local arts scene because it fuses studio practice with community ritual: a fine‑art encounter that asks viewers to become co-authors. Whether you’re a painter, an educator, or someone curious about how family stories build art, Durkee’s interactive talk offers a rare, attentive space to examine how our homes, images, and memories shape the stories we tell. Tickets are free or low-cost through local galleries; check the referral link for specific booking details and accessibility notes. Bring a small notebook, wear comfortable shoes for walking the nearby streets, and allow time afterward to explore local cafés and bookshops that support regional artists.

About Wekiva Island

Wekiva Island is a riverfront recreation and rental destination in Longwood, Florida, offering cabana rentals, group spaces, guided paddle experiences, and seasonal family events. The property features multiple private and semi-private cabanas—Audubon Cabana, Otter Cabana, Barefoot Cabana, Cabana #1, Cabana #2, Cabana #3, Canoe Cabana, The Point, and The Beach Club—each with outdoor seating and amenities that include gas grills, coolers or beverage refrigerators, and direct water access where noted. The Beach Club is the largest rentable space and accommodates up to forty guests, while several cabanas serve groups of ten to twenty-five people.

Guided offerings include the Wekiva Island Paddle Adventure, which begins with a brief paddling lesson and proceeds with a guided tour on the Wekiva River; participants may have opportunities to swim in clear springs during suitable conditions. Seasonal and holiday programming includes family-friendly events such as Donuts with Santa, Breakfast With Santa, Ornament Decorating with Elves, and Stories with Mrs. Claus. One cabana—The Point—permits pop-up tents, a unique allowance on the island that supports small gatherings and customized setups.

Wekiva Island operates on the Wekiva River corridor and supports responsible recreation near local conservation partners. Rentals clearly list capacities and included amenities, while larger spaces provide picnic tables, fire pits, and direct water access for paddling and swimming. Visitors can reserve day rentals for private events, group outings, or relaxed beach-style days. The venue emphasizes convenience with stocked coolers or beverage refrigerators, upgraded privacy features, and on-site grills to support cooking and catering options.