OSPREY, FL (October 19, 2018) Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast welcomes the artist Barbara Gerhardt with a special exhibit of her paintings “A Creative Life” during November. In celebration of her 80th birthday, the artist is generously donating 100% of sales proceeds to Conservation Foundation. As a 47-year resident of Sarasota, Gerhardt has seen many changes and the loss of natural habitat and hopes to make a difference by not only donating all proceeds from her paintings but by bringing more attention to the conservation cause. “My husband, Paul, and I are long-time supporters of The Nature Conservancy and when Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast was started, we were happy to support their much-needed efforts to preserve natural areas which more personally affect our quality of life,” notes Gerhardt.
The opening reception with remarks by the artist is Wednesday, November 14 at 5:30 pm at the foundation’s headquarters in the Burrows-Matson House at Bay Preserve, 400 Palmetto Avenue in Osprey. RSVP to www.conservationfoundation.com/events or call (941) 918-2100. The exhibit is on display through November, and the gallery is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Other times are available by appointment. The artwork is available for purchase and may be purchased in advance of the opening.
Barbara Gerhardt is a lifelong artist, a 30-year member of The Oaks Club, and has exhibited at the Oaks Art Festival every year. She had a great interest in art as a child and explored many mediums in high school and college including sculpture, collage, silkscreen prints, and creating watercolor, acrylic, and oil paintings. Gerhardt studied at the Art Institute in Chicago and created a life filled with artistic pursuits, interrupted only by raising a family and a few other vocational stops along the way. She wrote and illustrated two children’s books using Dr. Suess-style rhyme and enjoys the alias “Dr. Goose”. Her books, “I Am of SCRAM” and “Pathways”, are available through Amazon.
About Conservation Foundation
Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast saves land, forever, protecting those special natural lands that make this region extraordinary. Working with landowners, businesses, and government, Conservation Foundation protects the character and natural integrity of the bays, beaches, barrier islands and their watersheds on Florida’s Gulf Coast. A nationally accredited land trust, the Foundation purchases natural areas, holds land conservation agreements and educates for responsible land and water stewardship in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier Counties. Learn more at www.conservationfoundation.com.