Florida CraftArt presents: Members’ Show: Contemporary Craft at its Finest

Exhibition Dates: March 17 to April 29, 2023

Members’ Show: Contemporary Craft at its Finest is a juried exhibition of original art showcasing the best of handcrafted work by Florida CraftArt members. Fifty-six artists from Florida to North Carolina created 98 pieces from intricate jewelry to glass sculptures.

“The first Members’ Show was held in 1951,” says Florida CraftArt’s Board Chair Tyler Jones. “This exhibition showcases fine craft artist members from around the country with outstanding works in ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, and sculpture.”

Programming for the exhibition includes a community conversation on mental health at 2 p.m. on April 2, with Julie Rocco of the organization What I Would Have Missed. During the Second Saturday ArtWalk, people can watch master artist Jennifer Rosseter demonstrate ceramic sgraffito techniques. On April 19 at 5:30 p.m., exhibition artists will talk about their work, philosophy and processes. All the events are free and open to the public.

The exhibition was judged by Elizabeth Brincklow, an arts leader and visionary in her work with artists, arts organizations, venues, and government, including serving as the Arts Consultant for the City of Dunedin.

At the opening and awards presentation on Zoom, Ms. Brincklow said, “Looking at the beauty of the work in the show makes me incredibly proud to be part of the  Florida arts community. I’d also like to recognize the beautiful layout of the show by Gallery Manager Julia Collver, who has thoughtfully placed each work of art.”

Best of Show was awarded to Joyce Curvin of Palm Harbor for “Grandpa’s Garden, ” a repurposed grandfather clock embellished with fanciful mixed media.

First Place went to Tampa, Florida, artist Lee Kroetsch for “Ruffles Dress,” who created it from silk fabric, fiber and merino wool.

Nancy Cutler of Lutz, Florida, received Second Place for an imaginative work she fashioned from dried botanicals on a repurposed shoe.

Third Place was awarded to Larry and Karen Burden of Beverly Hills, Florida,  for a multi-drawer jewelry box made with Peruvian walnut, curly maple, and a brass hinge.

Honorable mentions were given to Adrienne Gaskell, Janna Kennedy, Candace Knapp, Richard Logan, Alice Pickett Lewis, Emily Stehle, and Dawn Waters.

Tallahassee artist Lesley Nolan received the Director’s Award for “Tea with Grandma in the Rose Garden,” a charming sculpture made from white stoneware and underglazes.

The exhibition was made possible with sponsorship from Jones & Dunn Legacy Group Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. The show runs through April 29, when the People’s Choice Award will be presented. People can vote for their favorite work of art in the Florida CraftArt Exhibition Gallery. 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 on www.FloridaCraftArt.org.

Florida CraftArt is located at 501 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.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.

Tallahassee artist Lesley Nolan received the Director’s Award for “Tea with Grandma in the Rose Garden,” a charming sculpture made from white stoneware and underglazes.

ARTISTS IN THE 2023 FLORIDA CRAFTART MEMBERS’ SHOW

Bobbi Baugh, Deland, Florida

Jorie Berman, Tampa, Florida

Larry and Karen Burden, Beverly Hills, Florida

Patricia Burrows, St. Petersburg, Florida

Sarah Butz, St. Petersburg, Florida

Joan Carew, Coral Springs, Florida

Bill Carlie, St. Petersburg, Florida

Pamela Carman, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Kimberli Cummings, Tampa, Florida

Joyce Curvin, Palm Harbor, Florida

Nancy Cutler, Lutz, Florida

Tom Davis, St. Petersburg, Florida

Barbara DeMaire, Gulfport, Florida

Alicia Diem, St. Petersburg, Florida

Joyce Eaton Brady, Mount Dora, Florida

Melissa Fair, Tampa, Florida

Judy Freeman, Land O’Lakes, Florida

Eric Folsom, Gulfport, Florida

Adrienne Gaskell, St. Petersburg, Florida

Sandra Giannantonio, Gulfport, Florida

Jeff Goble, Lithia, Florida

Gary Greer, Safety Harbor, Florida

Larry Hasiak, Tarpon Springs, Florida

Lonni Hopkins, Tampa, Florida

Alan Johnson, St. Petersburg, Florida

Anna Jonsdottir, Lutz, Florida

Janna Kennedy, St. Petersburg, Florida

Candace Knapp, Brandon, Florida

Leeann Kroetsch, Tampa, Florida

Shaw J. Lane, Dunnellon, Florida

Nancy Lauby, Dunedin, Florida

Jill Lindsay, Port Charlotte, Florida

Richard Logan, Clearwater, Florida

Diane Lublinski, Pembrooke Pines, Florida

Julia Macek, Ruskin, Florida

Teresa Mandala, St. Petersburg, Florida

Kathleen McCabe, Marion, North Carolina

Elizabeth Neily, Gulfport, Florida

Leslie Nolan, Tallahassee, Florida

Susan Peloubet, Lutz, Florida

Alice Pickett Lewis, Gulfport, Florida

Nick Reale, St. Petersburg, Florida

Ari Robinson, St. Petersburg, Florida

Jennifer Rosseter, St. Petersburg, Florida

Nadine Saitlin, Boca Raton, Florida

Maria Saraceno, St. Petersburg, Florida

Kathryn Adele Schumacher, University Park, Florida

Ellen Simon, Parrish, Florida

Emily Stehle, Clearwater, Florida

Matthew Szidik, St. Petersburg, Florida

Kim Tatalick, St. Petersburg, Florida

Dawn Waters, Gulfport, Florida

Barbara Williams, Ruskin, Florida

Craig Wood, St. Petersburg, Florida

Jane Youngman, St. Petersburg, Florida