Exhibition Dates: July 9-August 28, 2021
At the Florida CraftArt opening and awards reception of “Oh, the places we can go!” on Friday, July 9 at 6 p.m., the show’s judge, Desmond Clark of St. Cate Fine Arts presented awards to the following artists.
Best of Show was awarded to Lorraine Turner of Clearwater for “The Skye’s the Limit.” She created it as a tribute to the endearing Highland cattle in Scotland and includes pieces of tartans collected on her trips there. She used techniques of wet-felting, felting, hand embroidery, raw appliqué, and thread painting.
First place went to Joyce Curvin of Palm Harbor who uses recycled materials in her entertaining artwork. She says, “My piece in the exhibition is called ‘Travelin’ Trixie’ and she moves when the handle is cranked. It is a traditional papier-mâché puppet with a modern theme. She celebrates the lesson that so many have learned from the pandemic: working from home can mean working wherever you make your home on any given day. Trixie can do what she wants, dress the way she wants, live the way she wants….if she has Wi-Fi.” (Watch the video of the animated sculpture.)
Vadim Malkin from Orlando threw clay on a wheel and then altered it to create “Capt’n” which was awarded second place.
Eileen Marquez, of St. Petersburg, won third place for “Best Friends” which is part of her “All Aboard” series of people on New York City subways. She collages fabric onto her oil paintings to create the mixed-media pieces.
Honorable mentions were awarded to Su Griggs Allen (Sarasota) for ceramic “Skate Bunny”; Leeann Kroetsch (Tampa) for felted “Backpacking Adventure”; Elizabeth Neily (Gulfport) for fiber bowls entitled “Let’s Go to the Beach”; Maria Saraceno (St. Petersburg for “Strings Attached,” a dramatic woven dress; and Karen Woods (Tarpon Springs) for a polymer clay necklace, “Kimono #4.”
St. Petersburg artist Jack Alden was presented the Executive Director’s Award for a blown borosilicate glass piece “Wufulla Tree Red.”
The juried exhibition of handmade fine crafts features imaginative pieces inspired by places artists have been or would like to go. From around the state, 38 artists created more than 80 pieces in ceramics, fiber, glass, metal and wood. It will be on exhibit through August 28.
Community programming includes textile artist Elizabeth Neily in costume telling the story of travel clothing from 1528 to today, an art-inspired ekphrastic performance by writers with Keep St. Pete Lit, and “Mad Traveler” author Dave Seminara revealing the pleasures and perils of wanderlust.
“This exhibition’s programs are fascinating from artistic, intellectual and historical levels. Also, many of our programs are recorded on our website for people to watch,” says Florida CraftArt’s Board President Tyler Jones. “As engaging the community is part of Florida CraftArt’s mission, the public is invited to attend the exhibition and programming free of charge which is made possible with support from the exhibition’s sponsor Elizabeth Reilinger, along with David and Becky Ramsey, Regions Bank, the City of St. Petersburg, and Florida’s Division of Arts & Culture.”
Florida CraftArt is located at 501 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.FloridaCraftArt.org or call (727) 821-7391. 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 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. Florida CraftArt is theonly statewide organization offering artists a platform to show and sell their work.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
Saturday, July 17, 1 to 3 p.m. Writing class inspired by the exhibition with Keep St. Pete Lit $15. Register on KeepStPeteLit.org. Ekphrastic writing from the class will be performed on August 5.
Saturday, July 31, 2 p.m. Textile artist Elizabeth Neily tells the story of travel clothing from 1528 to today.
Saturday, August 14, 5-9 p.m. Second Saturday ArtWalk in the Gallery. Visit ArtLofts on our second floor.
Thursday, August 5, 6 p.m. Ekphrastic performance by writers who share stories inspired by the art.
Tuesday, August 17, 6 p.m. “Mad Traveler” author Dave Seminara talks about the pleasures and perils of wanderlust.
CUTLINES (More images of work available on request.)
FCA Best of Show Turner_TheSkyesthelimit.jpg
Best of Show was awarded to Lorraine Turner of Clearwater for “The Skye’s the Limit.”
FCA Oh, the places we can go-a2 1st Place Joyce Curvin.jpg
Desmond Clark (judge) awarded First Place to Joyce Curvin for “Traveling Trixie” sculpture.
AVAILABLE ON REQUEST: FCA Curvin Traveling Trixie Video.mov
Watch “Traveling Trixie” prance her way through the world of travel.
FCA Oh, the places we can go-a4 3rd place Eileen Marquez.jpg
Eileen Marquez was awarded Third Place by show’s judge Desmond Clark for her mixed media piece “Best Friends.”
CA Oh, the places we can go-a4 3rd place Marquez – Best Friends
“Best Friends,” a mixed media piece by Eileen Marquez, was awarded Third Place.
FCA Oh, the places we can go-a6 HM Maria Saraceno
Maria Saraceno won an Honorable Mention for “Strings Attached.”
ARTISTS IN THE FLORIDA CRAFTART “Oh, the places you can go” EXHIBITION
Jack Alden, St. Petersburg
Dan Alexander, St. Petersburg
Gerri Aurre, Jupiter
Karen Brown, Tampa
Joan Carew, Coral Springs
Joyce Curvin, Palm Harbor
Katie Deits, St. Petersburg
Terry Demaline, St. Petersburg
Alicia Diem, St. Petersburg
Eric Folsom, Gulfport
Peggy Gallaher, Lakeland
Sue Allen Griggs, Sarasota
Susan Hess, St. Petersburg
Diana Hirschhorn, Bradenton
Kristin Holeman, Ft. Lauderdale
Mary Jenkins, Lake Mary
Amy Kluth, St. Petersburg
Leeann Kroetsch, Tampa
Betsy Lester, St. Petersburg
Jill Lindsay, Port Charlotte
Vadim Malkin, Orlando
Eileen Marquez, St. Petersburg
Victoria Rose Martin, Lake Worth
Joyce McAdams, Edgewater
Melissa Menzer, Spring Hill
Natty Moss Bond, St. Petersburg
Elizabeth Neily, Gulfport
Suzy Pease, Gulfport
Nick Reale, St. Petersburg
Jan Richardson, St. Petersburg
Maria Saraceno, St. Petersburg
Jeryldine Saville, St. Petersburg
Ellen Simon, Parrish
Jennifer Sutton Roe, Altamonte Springs
Kim Tatlick, St. Petersburg
Lorraine Turner, Clearwater
James Woodfield, St. Petersburg
Karen Woods, Tarpon Springs