{"id":24047,"date":"2026-06-12T10:09:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T14:09:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/?post_type=press-release&p=24047"},"modified":"2026-06-12T10:09:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T14:09:04","slug":"art-in-the-multicultural-center-opening-reception-when-art-speaks-a-note-to-self-by-verlese-pender","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/media-advisories\/press-releases\/2026\/06\/art-in-the-multicultural-center-opening-reception-when-art-speaks-a-note-to-self-by-verlese-pender\/","title":{"rendered":"Art in the Multicultural Center Opening Reception: \u201cWhen Art Speaks: A Note to Self\u201d by Verlese Pender"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Orange County, FL \u2013 <\/strong>Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs<\/a> will present “When Art Speaks: A Note to Self” by Verlese Pender<\/a> in the Orange County Multicultural Center Art Gallery. An opening reception will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.<\/p>\n

Verlese Pender<\/a> is a PhD candidate in Human Services, specializing in Mental Health, with nearly two decades of professional experience in children\u2019s mental health, behavioral health, and youth engagement.<\/p>\n

“As an artist and mother of two, my journey into creative wellness began personally, discovering how art offered clarity, healing, and resilience during life\u2019s most challenging moments,\u201d said Pender. \u201cThat personal connection to the healing power of art ultimately shaped my professional path, leading me to develop When Art Speaks<\/em> \u2014 a trauma-informed, healing-centered creative wellness program that helps youth, professionals, and communities use art as a tool for emotional expression, self-awareness, and personal growth.\u201d<\/p>\n

WHEN:
\n<\/strong>Opening reception on Wednesday, June 17, 2026
\nDoors open at 4:30 p.m.
\nProgram begins at 5:10 p.m.
\nDisplay continues through Tuesday, July 14, 2026<\/p>\n

WHERE:
\n<\/strong>The Multicultural Center Art Gallery
\nOrange County Multicultural Center
\n7149 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32818\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

HOW:
\n<\/strong>Admission to the reception is free, but advance registration is requested<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Orange County, FL \u2013 Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs will present “When Art Speaks: A Note to Self” by Verlese Pender in the Orange County Multicultural Center Art Gallery. An opening reception will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Verlese Pender is a PhD candidate in Human Services, specializing in Mental Health, with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-24047","press-release","type-press-release","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nVerlese Pender: Art in the Multicultural Center Opening Reception<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Verlese Pender opening reception at Orange County Multicultural Center Art Gallery on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/media-advisories\/press-releases\/2026\/06\/art-in-the-multicultural-center-opening-reception-when-art-speaks-a-note-to-self-by-verlese-pender\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Verlese Pender: Art in the 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