June 8 through July 28, 2018
See amazing artist-created dolls in environments from forest to fantasy to surreal.
Florida CraftArt invited artists to create dolls to be featured in environments suggestive of where the dolls might live. Dolls were fashioned and submitted by over 30 artists including members of the National Institute of Doll Artists, artists from around America and from as far away as New Zealand. The Exhibition Gallery at Florida CraftArt will be transformed into areas for dolls that fall into different themes, including Gothic and Surreal, Fantasy, Whimsical and Forest Woodland. The exhibition will be judged by Loretta Nardone, President of the United Federation of Doll Clubs (UFDC). The opening reception/awards presentation is Friday, June 8, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Florida CraftArt located at 501 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Saturday, June 9 is “World Doll Day” which celebrates dolls and caring, nurturing love and the people offering it. At 1:30 p.m. Ms. Nardone, President of UFDC, will present a lecture on “Doll Art for the Collector”, which will be followed by a tea-party reception. That evening from 5 to 9 p.m., Florida CraftArt gallery and the “Doll and Where they Live” exhibit will be open for the Second Saturday ArtWalk.
On Sunday, July 8, at 2 p.m., there will be a lecture “Secrets of Doll Collecting.” On Sunday, July 15, at 1 p.m. there will be a doll-making workshop, tickets can be purchased at FloridaCraftArt.org. On Saturday, July 28, 5:30 to 7 p.m., the People’s Choice Award will be presented at the closing reception. The People’s Choice Award is selected by the visitors to the gallery who vote for their favorite doll.
Presenting sponsors are Jeannine Hascall and RE/MAX METRO.
Florida CraftArt is located at 501 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. For more information, visitwww.FloridaCraftArt.org or call (727) 821-7391. Admission is free. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Florida CraftArt is a nonprofit organization founded in 1951 and headquartered in St. Petersburg. Its mission is to grow the statewide creative economy by engaging the community and advancing Florida’s fine craft artists and their work. Fine craft art is presented in its 2,500-square-foot retail gallery and curated exhibitions are featured in its adjacent exhibition gallery. Florida CraftArt is the only statewide organization offering artists a platform to show and sell their work.
CUTLINES (More images of work available on request. Photo and video opportunities available.)
AleishaPrather_Spellbinding_Library.jpg: “Spellbinding Library” by St. Petersburg artist Aleisha Prather is a miniature home for dolls and fairies.
Jennifer Kosharek-Gretchens_world.jpg: Gretchen is Jennifer Kosharek’s signature doll character, a whimsical character that stands for the rights of women and children the world over. This wall hanging “Gretchen’s World” is a whimsical look into her mind and heart. She lives in a child’s cardboard suitcase and is surrounded by cloud-like fringe and street art stickers. She is hand-embroidered with whimsical images.
Sprouting – Sandra Thomas Oglesby- photo by Robert Batey.jpg: Sandra Thomas Oglesby from Deland, Florida creates dolls with paper-clay, polymer and fabric and is inspired by children’s stories and poems. She is a juried member of NIADA (National Institute of American Doll Artists) and has been featured in several books about dolls.
Tanya Marriott-Tāne Mahuta-300ppi8inches.jpg: Tanya Marriott, a doll artist from Wellington, New Zealand, created “Tāne Mahuta” says of her work: “The most important attribute I feel within my work is achieving character believability, through their physicality, expression, attention to scale and proportion, texture and tone. I believe that there is a “golden section” or a hierarchy of rules which determines good doll design. Like good architecture and design there are attributes which when addressed in correct proportion, and composition create the believable being. The expression in the eyes; the size of the head in comparison to the limbs, each decision plays a valuable role in the development of the whole. This meaningful being is a timeless creation who has its own world, purpose and ambition. For me to achieve success in my work, a piece needs to speak to me, and continue to express long after my pleasure in its creation has waned. It is this challenge that I am sure most artists’ encounter in their work through self-critique and iterative advancement, and for me it is this driving force that keeps me creating new work.”