Exhibition Dates: April 26 to June 1, 2019
Artists’ Talks: May 22, 5:30 p.m.
Closing Reception and People’s Choice Award: June 1, 5:30-7 p.m.
A crowd of more than 200 people attended the opening on April 26 of the Florida CraftArt Members’ Show: Contemporary Craft at its Finest. The juried exhibition of original art showcases the best of handcrafted work by Florida CraftArt members. From across Florida, 36 artists created 114 pieces from intricate jewelry to ceramic sculptures to felted wall hanging portraits.
The exhibition was judged by Morean Arts Center’s new executive director, Howayda Affan who presented the awards at the opening reception, along with Florida CraftArt board president Tyler Jones. Best of Show was awarded to Gulfport artist Barbara DeMaire for a sculpture entitled “Veiled Vestal Virgin.” St. Petersburg artist Mark Noll carved miniature ladies out of wood for which he won First Place. Calan Ree (St. Petersburg) was awarded Second Place for “Star Gazer,” a ceramic sculpture in her quirky, signature style she says, “expresses the hidden spirit of her figurative subject whether it be a human, cactus or mushroom.”
Third Place went to Joan Carew from Coral Springs for “Blue Woman Warrior” which the artist said represents those who have overcome the diagnosis and pain of breast cancer. “Being a survivor of breast cancer,” Carew says, “I hope to show the strength that made me a woman warrior.”
Honorable Mentions were given to Eileen Goldenberg (Tampa) for “Found in the Garden,” Mary Jane Lord (Tallahassee) for a woven wall piece “Coral Reef Reverie,” and Jan Richardson (St. Petersburg) for “Bright Pockets.” Valrico-based Kim Radatz who paid tribute to her late mother with a mixed media installation entitled, “Her Name Was Betty” was also awarded an honorable mention. Radatz says, “With this piece I was inspired by my mom’s struggle with Alzheimer’s. Though our experiences were from a different perspective, it was a struggle we shared together.”
The exhibition is sponsored by Duke Energy whose Government and Community Relations Manager Jeff Baker says, “Duke Energy is proud to support the community by funding public events and supporting the arts on a statewide level.”
Several of the artists will speak about their work and practice on Wednesday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. The show runs through June 1 when the People’s Choice Award will be presented at the closing reception.
Artists in the exhibition are Millie Brown, Joan Carew, Joan Clear, Kimberli Cummings, Tom Davis, Renee Davis, Barbara DeMaire, Melissa Erlenbach Searle, Eric Folsom, Andreas Goff, Eileen Goldenberg, Susan Hess, Berit Hines, Alan Johnson, Amy Kluth, Ed Knudsen, Ray Locke, Mary Jane Lord, Diane Lublinski, Peggi Nadeau, Tracy Nelligan, Mark Noll, Suzy Pease, Stuart Peterman, Meg Pierce, Eleanor Pigman, Marilyn Rackelman, Kim Radatz, Calan Ree, Jan Richardson, Nadine Saitlin, Linda Schuerman , Stephen Sidelinger, Rebecca Skelton, Dawn Waters, and Jan Wunsch.
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 Florida artists of fine craft, a platform to show and sell their work.