Envision your dwelling designed with handmade art.
September 7 through October 27, 2018
A decade after Florida CraftArt’s first “At Home with Craft” show, the Exhibition Gallery will be transformed into a home complete with foyers, patio, living room, bedroom, dining room and more. Every item in every room, from the kitchen sink, hand towels and pottery to the furniture and the fountain will be an original work of art created by artists from around the country. Many of the artists will be at the opening reception on Friday, September 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Florida CraftArt located at 501 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Florida CraftArt invited fine craft artists to submit art to be featured in home-like environments. St. Petersburg father-and-son team Nick and Austin Reale created a bar with a wine rack and a live-edge kitchen counter from wood reclaimed from a live oak tree. Inserted into the counter is a wheel-thrown ceramic sink by artist Charlie Parker (St. Petersburg). Tampa furniture maker David Calvin’s talents are demonstrated in foyer and coffee tables and even an Old Northeast dog house in the outdoor living area, along with sculptures of a multicolored rabbit and metal owl on a perch by sculptor Don Gialanella.
Palm Beach County artist James Sagui is showing his mint and black Art Deco furniture and futuristic sculptures. A wood and turquoise dining room table created by Sondra and Shawn Hannon (St. Petersburg) is crowned by handpainted ceramic dishes by Kimberli Burns Cummings (Tampa), wood-turned bowls and serving utensils by Eric Folsom (Gulfport).
The large, intricately woven wall piece by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania artist Steven Donegan hangs in the living room. “The images represented in my tapestries begin with observations of my garden,” he says. “I combine my photographs with drawings to create dream-like images. The image of the hand in the tapestry represents the presence of the viewer. The tapestries emphasize the textures, colors, patterns and light found at different times of day in the garden.”
In the boudoir, visitors will discover exotic dresses, as well as hats, by Tampa artist Leeann Kroetsch. Legendary fabric artist, Sharon Rose (St. Petersburg), shows her one-of-a-kind purses and jackets. The colorful bedroom has a rainbow-quilt wall hanging by Pat Pfeifle (Gulfport) and a white quilt bedspread with rainbow-colored cranes by Jim Smith and Andy Brunhammer (Tampa).
The original exhibition in 2007 was the brain-child of then FCA executive director Maria Emilia whose rationale was to present a new approach to interiors and to protect society from mass-produced furnishings and artwork. The mission was to create a model for ongoing business relationships between fine craft artists and the home and lifestyle industries.
As an Industry Partner of the American Society of Interior Designs (ASID), Florida CraftArt is an art resource for designers and architects. It has been working closely on the exhibit with the architecture firm Wannemacher Jensen and ASID designers. On October 10, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., people will have the opportunity to bring design questions to the “Ask A Designer” panel of ASID professionals.
“The artistic community has approached this exhibition with immense enthusiasm,” says Katie Deits, FCA’s current executive director. “We hope this will inspire people to make their homes unique by choosing fine craft as décor. We also appreciate our Presenting Sponsor RE/MAX METRO for helping to make this exhibition possible.”
From October 7 to 14, the International Ikebana St. Petersburg Chapter will create flower arrangements for a week-long exhibition inside the “At Home with Craft” exhibition using handmade vessels by gallery artists. On October 7 at 2 p.m., renowned Ichiyo School Ikebana artist, Kathy LaDuke will demonstrate Japanese flower arranging.
The exhibition sponsors are Presenting Sponsor RE/MAX METRO, as well as housetrends, Strobel Design Build and Fisher & Sauls, P.A.
At Home with Craft is a curated, cutting-edge exhibition that focuses on fine crafts making a home a showplace.
Mark Your Calendar (Free of charge unless indicated):
Friday, September 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Opening reception
Saturday, September 15: “Home is Where the Art is” Fundraiser – Ride a trolley to visit four beautiful residences with private art collections in the Old Northeast. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. Tickets $125 for members; $150 for nonmembers (Purchase in advance online or call.)
Saturday, September 29, 4 p.m.: Florida CraftArt Annual Members Meeting
Saturday, October 6, 2 p.m.: Betsy Orbe Lester, “Showcasing Art in Your Home”
October 7-14: The Art of Ikebana inside “At Home with Craft” features fresh flower displays created by the Ikebana International St. Petersburg Chapter
Sunday, October 7, 1 p.m.: Ikebana opening reception, and at 2 p.m.: Ikebana demonstration by Kathy LaDuke (Ichiyo School)
Wednesday, October 10, 5-6:30 p.m.: Ask a Designer: Bring your interior design questions for American Society of Interior Designers
Saturday, October 27, 5:30-7 p.m.: Closing reception and People’s Choice Award presentation
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.)
Calvin-Mod Deco Hall TableKO.jpg: Tampa Bay-based artist David Calvin creates the unexpected in his modern furniture designs such as this Mod-Deco hall table.
Cummings-Trip to Deruta.jpg: Kimberli Cummings of Tampa threw and handpainted this ceramic serving plate entitled “Trip to Deruta.”
Donegan- Caladium.jpg: “Caladium” a woven tapestry by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania artist Steven Donegan is 53 inches by 40 inches.
Lumsden_on the edge_full.jpg: Susan Lumsden of Brooksville created the quilt “On the Edge of Too Far Gone” which is 63 inches by 42 inches.
Ocamposilva Light.jpg: The light sculpture is by Clearwater artists Gus and Lina Ocamposilva.
Sagui-The Chanel Suite-Full: Palm Beach County artist James Sagui created this charming Art Deco suite from wood.