Exhibition Dates: January 14 to February 26, 2022
Members’ Show: Contemporary Craft at its Finest is a juried exhibition of original art showcasing the best of handcrafted work by Florida CraftArt members. Thirty-seven artists created 81 pieces from intricate jewelry to glass sculptures.”
“The first Members’ Show was held in 1951,” says Florida CraftArt’s Board President Tyler Jones of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty who is also the sponsor of the exhibition. “As a statewide, member-supported organization, we display outstanding handmade objects, made by some of the best craftspeople in the country. Half of our gallery on Central Avenue features only Florida artists while the exhibition gallery, as well as our annual Florida CraftArt Festival in November, showcases fine craft artists from around the country.”
The exhibition was judged by Kinsey Robb, who is the Executive Director of Art Center Sarasota. For the last 10 years, Kinsey resided in New York City where she managed a host of established artists and led exhibition programming worldwide at blue chip galleries such as Gagosian, Lehmann Maupin, and Galerie Perrotin. She is a seasoned curator and has worked on several national and international museum exhibitions.
At the opening and awards presentation on Zoom Ms. Robb said, “It is a very strong show and definitely worth seeing in person. All of the works are incredibly wonderful to look at and experience.”
Best of Show was awarded to Nadine Saitlin of Boca Raton for “Target, ” a natural gourd with a dynamic painted design on its surface.
First Place went to St. Petersburg artist Alan Johnson for “Flor Fina Series: Bridesmaid Two,” a wheel-thrown and handbuilt glazed ceramic monolith on a wood base.
Nick Reale of St. Petersburg received Second Place for Banyan Tree Rocking Chair that he made from wood that he salvaged from the Granville Court Banyan Tree.
Third Place was awarded to Dawn Waters of Gulfport for a wool and cotton felted portrait of Colin Kaepernick entitled “The Root of the Resistance.”
Honorable mentions were given to Maria Saraceno for “Ms. Conduct” an installation of pantyhose and thread, Maureen Shankey for a silver, gold and agate pendant, and Ellen Simon for a quilt depicting the Hirschhorn Museum in Washington, D.C.
Tampa artist Kimberli Cummings received the Executive Director’s Award for “Happy but Twisted,” a kite created in ceramics with paintings of the artist’s life. The kite’s tail incorporates a model of a spine which references Cummings back problems.
The show runs through February 26 when the People’s Choice Award will be presented. People can vote for their favorite work of art in the Florida CraftArt Exhibition Gallery and on Facebook. Docent tours are available upon request. Florida CraftArt has published a book on the show with images and biographies of the artists. It is available onwww.FloridaCraftArt.org.
Florida CraftArt is located at 501 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg and is open Monday through Saturday from10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visitwww.FloridaCraftArt.org or call (727) 821-7391. 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.)
FCA Saitlin, Nadine_Target Best of Show. Jpg
Nadine Saitlin of Boca Raton was awarded Best of Show for “Target.”
FCA Johnson_Flor Fina-Bridesmaid Two_First Place
St. Petersburg artist Alan Johnson won First Place for his wheel-thrown and handbuilt ceramic monolith entitled “Flor Fina Series: Bridesmaid Two.
FCA Reale, Nick Banyan Tree Rocking Chair Second Place
Nick Reale of St. Petersburg received Second Place for Banyan Tree Rocking Chair that he made from wood that he salvaged from the Granville Court Banyan Tree.
FCA Waters, Dawn The Root of the Resistance_Third Place
Third Place was awarded to Dawn Waters of Gulfport for a wool and cotton felted portrait of Colin Kaepernick entitled “The Root of the Resistance.”
FCA Cummings_Happy But Twisted- Executive Directors Award
The Executive Director’s Award was presented to Kimberly Cummings for “Happy but Twisted.”
ARTISTS IN THE FLORIDA CRAFTART MEMBERS’ SHOW
Shirah Anderson, St. Petersburg
Jorie Berman, Tampa
Pamela Carman, Palm Beach Gardens
Kimberli Cummings, Tampa
Tom Davis, St. Petersburg
Barbara DeMaire, Gulfport
Alicia Diem, St. Petersburg
Melissa Fair, Tampa
Eric Folsom, Gulfport
Judy Freeman, Land O’Lakes
Susan Hess, Madeira Beach
Berit Hines, Largo
Alan Johnson, St. Petersburg
Janna Kennedy, St. Petersburg
Pat Lafaye, Safety Harbor
Shaw Lane, Dunnellon
Nancy Lauby, Palm Harbor
Alyssa Ligmont, North Lauderdale
Jill Lindsay, Port Charlotte
Richard Logan, Clearwater
Diane Lubinski, Pembrooke Pines
Teresa Mandala, St. Petersburg
Wolfgang Mueller, The Villages
Peggi Nadeau, Mount Dora
Elizabeth Neily, Gulfport
Meg Pierce, Sarasota
Rozanne Pizzuto, St. Petersburg
Nick Reale, St. Petersburg
Linda Reifler-Alessi, St. Petersburg
Jan Richardson, St. Petersburg
Nadine Saitlin, Boca Raton
Maria Saraceno, St. Petersburg
Maureen Shankey, St. Petersburg
Ellen Simon, Parrish
Rebecca Skelton, St. Petersburg
Lorraine Turner, Clearwater
Dawn Waters, Gulfport