The Watermark was published on October 24, 2002, and was the culminating issue of the 2002 midterm elections, providing readers with brief vignettes on where each candidate stood in relation to issues affecting the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) community. It also spotlights the demonstration that took place on the steps of Orlando City Hall to encourage Mayor Glenda Hood to make a decision regarding adding "sexual orientation" to the list of non-discrimination policies. This issue also has a pullout section for the second annual WAVE (Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence) Awards, chosen online by the readers. This section includes articles covering some of the top winners, such as the Lava Lounge and the Urban Body Clothing stores in both Tampa and Orlando.

Since 1994, The Watermark has been the cornerstone source of LGBTQ+ centered news for the Central Florida region. Founded by Tom Dyer in Orlando, the publication began generating bi-weekly issues beginning August 31, 1994. Since then, The Watermark has consistently published newspaper-style issues every other Thursday. Gaining traction, the publication expanded in 1995 to include Tampa and, in 1997, The Watermark became a permanent piece of LGBTQ+ culture when the publication initiated the first large-scale Gay Days Weekend event, the Beach Ball at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Before 1999, the publication printed 20,000 copies every week, distributing them to over 500 locations between its two major cities. Following 1999, the publication launched watermarkonline.com shifting to an online publication style. In 2016, Rick Claggett purchased The Watermark.]]>
The Watermark, Vol. 9, No. 22, October 24-November 6, 2002: Publications Collection, GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> Watermark Media]]> The Watermark, Vol. 9, No. 22, October 24-November 5, 2002.]]> The Watermark Collection, RICHES.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> Watermark Media.]]> Watermark Publishing Group and is provided here by RICHES for educational purposes only.]]>
Polasek, a local art legend in Orange County, Florida, who is also recognized nationally and internationally for his work. Polasek was born in Frenštát pod Radhoštěm, Moravia (now part of the Czech Republic), on February 14, 1879. He later migrated to Vienna, Austria, where he apprenticed as a woodcarver. In 1901, at age 22, Polasek immigrated to the Midwestern United States. At age 25, he began attending the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he studied under Charles Grafly. Two of his most well-known sculptures were created while he was a student: Man Carving His Own Destiny and Eternal Moment. Polasek was granted American citizenship in 1909 and he earned the Prix de Rome in 1910, which granted him a three-year fellowship at the American Academy of Art in Rome, Italy. He also received the Paris Salon for The Sower in 1913 and the George D. Widener Memorial Gold Medal from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1915 for Aspiration. After completing his studies in Rome, Polasek migrated to New York City, New York. In 1916, when he was 37, the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, invited Polasek to head its sculpture department. While in Chicago, he sculpted Forest Idyl, Victorious Christ, and The Spirit of Music. In 1927, he was elected as an Associate Member of the National Academy of Design, which is an honorary degree conferred to America's top painters, sculptors, and architects. Polasek also achieved full academician status in 1933.

In 1950, when Polasek was 70, he retired to Winter Park, Florida, where he built a home on Lake Osceola. That same year, he suffered from a stroke, which paralyzed the right side of his body. Seven months later, he married one of his former students, Ruth Sherwood, who died just two years later. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Polasek was able to create 18 major works in his later years. In 1961, he married Emily Muska Kubat and the set up the Albin Polasek Foundation, opening up the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, located at 633 Osceola Avenue in Winter Park, which featured his personal galleries, chapel, and gardens. On May 19, 1965, Polasek passed away and was buried beside his first wife at Palm Cemetery. In 2000, Polasek was named a "Great Floridian," a distinction reserved for those who have made a significant contribution to the state culturally and historically. In 2004, he was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.]]>
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, Winter Park, Florida.]]> Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, Winter Park, Florida.]]> Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens Collection, Winter Park Collection, Orange County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]>