Local Color
by Michael Booth
&
A Dance with Color
by Christine Velez Stone

From January 6 through February 1, 2026, the Studios of Cocoa Beach, located downtown on Minutemen Causeway, will present a compelling dual exhibition featuring paintings by two distinctive artists, Michael Booth and Christine Velez Stone. This exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore contrasting yet complementary artistic perspectives inspired by life’s landscapes and vibrant emotions.

Michael Booth, a late-blooming painter who began his artistic journey after retiring from a business career, brings an authentic passion to his work. Since taking his first painting class in 2020, Booth has cultivated a portfolio rich in local flavor—depicting celestial dawns over the Space Coast, dynamic beach scenes, iconic surf vans, and vivid representations of the space program. His ongoing commitment to mastering his craft is summed up in his personal motto, “Live and Learn,” inviting viewers to witness the evolution of his creative vision.

Complementing Booth’s explorations, Christine Velez Stone offers paintings that are a celebration of life’s radiant spectrum. With a background as a designer, muralist, and art educator, Stone’s work weaves together color and emotion, inspired by her global childhood experiences and lifelong connection to art. Her award-winning acrylic paintings, previously exhibited throughout Florida, beckon viewers into a poetic dance of hues designed to inspire and comfort.

The public is invited to the reception on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM. The evening will provide an intimate setting to meet the artists, engage with their work firsthand, and immerse in conversation about their creative journeys.