Exhibition Dates: March 4-April 19, 2022
Opening Reception Wednesday, March 9, 6 p.m.
Art of the Garden – Fine craft inspired by the natural beauty of gardens is a juried exhibition at Florida CraftArt showcasing the best of handcrafted work by 50 artists who created 92 pieces from delicate jewelry, fiber art, and ceramic garden sculptures. The exhibition was judged by Jennifer O. Rominiecki, President and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, who presented the awards.
The show runs through April 19, 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.
Awards
At the opening and awards presentation on Zoom Rominiecki said, “It was difficult to judge the exhibition because there were so many wonderful artworks in so many different mediums.”
Best of Show was awarded to Michelle Rosamond of Tampa for “Zestful Zinnia,” a mixed media wall sculpture utilizing palm fronds.
First Place went to Candace Knapp of Brandon for her carved wood sculpture, “Garden of Musical Delight.”
Kathryn Adele Schumacher of University Park took Second Place for her collage, “Ikebana,” created with acrylics, photography, inks, and handmade papers.
Third Place went to Jill Lindsey of Port Charlotte for “Rorschach Butterfly,” a collage made with alcohol ink, Yupo paper, and resin.
Honorable Mentions were awarded to Eric Folsom of Gulfport for “Garden Gate” made from recycled bicycle parts; Sandra Giannantonio of Gulfport for her ceramic rattle “Rocking Snow Bird II;” Alice Pickett Lewis of Gulfport for “Garden Path into the Woods,” made with up-cycled fabric, acrylic paints, and thread; Nick Reale of St. Petersburg for his garden bench, “Respite,” made from wood recovered from a heritage banyan tree that had to be cut down; and Nadine Saitlin of Boca Raton for “Garden Mosaic,” a gourd painted with acrylic paints.
Tampa artist Karen Brown received the Executive Director’s Choice award for her necklace, “Kaleidoscopic Garden,” created with resin, metallic flakes, and a mother of pearl disc in a brass stud mounted to leather.
Mark your calendar
Wednesday, March 9, 6 p.m. Virtual tour of the exhibit and awards presentation with judge Jennifer O. Rominiecki, President and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Saturday, March 12, 5-9 p.m. Second Saturday ArtWalk and visit ArtLofts on the second floor.
Wednesday, March 16, 6 p.m. Discover the beauty of Florida native plants with garden expert Marquette McManus of Wilcox Nursery.
Join on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88181596132
Sunday, March 27, 2 p.m. Enjoy a garden-inspired poetry reading with Helen Pruitt Wallace and other poets.
Saturday, April 2, 11 a.m. Learn about Ikebana – the art of Japanese flower arranging. Join on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84218271581
Saturday, April 9, 5-9 p.m. Second Saturday ArtWalk and visit ArtLofts on the second floor.
Sunday, April 10, 1-3 p.m. Workshop: Make a macramé plant hanger with artist Elizabeth Neily. $35 fee includes all materials and a handcrafted pot by a Florida CraftArt artist. Space is limited; call FCA to register.
Michelle Rosamond, Zestful Zinnia 
Candace Knapp, Garden of Musical Delight 
Kathryn Adele Schumacher, Ikebana 
Jill Lindsey, Rorschach Butterfly 
Alice Pickett Lewis, Garden Path into the Woods 
Nadine Saitlin, Garden Mosaic 
Nick Reale, Respite 
Sandra Giannantonio, Rocking Snow Bird II 
Eric Folsom, Garden Gate 
Karen Brown, Kaleidoscope
Artists in Art of the Garden
Esther Aall, St. Petersburg, Florida
Carolyn Baum, Bradenton, Florida
Travis Blanton, Vero Beach, Florida
Karen Brown, Tampa, Florida
Larry and Karen Burden, Beverly Hills, Florida
Pamela Carmen, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Kathleen Carrier, Valrico, Florida
Maryann Charmoz, Dunedin, Florida
Doris Connor, St. Petersburg, Florida
Kimberli Cummings, Tampa, Florida
Joyce Curvin, Palm Harbor, Florida
Katie Deits, St. Petersburg, Florida
Alicia Diem, St. Petersburg, Florida
Eric Folsom, St. Petersburg, Florida
Judy Freeman, Land O’ Lakes, Florida
Sandra Giannantonio, Gulfport, Florida
Kristina Gintautine, Holiday, Florida
Susan Hess, Maderia Beach, Florida
Berit Hines, Largo, Florida
Diana Hirschhorn, Bradenton, Florida
Sarah King, Tampa, Florida
Amy Kluth, St. Petersburg, Florida
Candace Knapp, Brandon, Florida
Laurie Landry, St. Petersburg, Florida
Betsy Orbe Lester, St. Petersburg, Florida
Jill Lindsay, Port Charlotte, Florida
Diane Lublinkski, Pembrooke Pines, Florida
Kyounghee Malawi, Kissimmee, Florida
Victoria Rose Martin, Lake Worth, Florida
Duncan McClellan, St. Petersburg, Florida
Melissa Menzer, Spring Hill, Florida
Elizabeth Neily, Gulfport, Florida
Kathryn Osgood, Wanchese, North Carolina
Charlie Parker, St. Petersburg, Florida
Alice Pickett Lewis, Gulfport, Florida
Laura Pucci, North Port, Florida
Nick Reale, St. Petersburg, Florida
Jan Richardson, St. Petersburg, Florida
Taylor Robenalt, Sarasota, Florida
Michelle Rosamond, Tampa, Florida
Nadine Saitlin, Boca Raton, Florida
Maria Saraceno, St. Petersburg, Florida
Kathryn Adele Schumacher, University Park, Florida
Maureen Shankey, St. Petersburg, Florida
Tamara Simmonds, Sarasota, Florida
Ellen Simon, Parrish, Florida
Jennifer Sutton Roe, Altamonte Springs, Florida
Matthew Szidik, St. Petersburg, Florida
Kim Tatalick, St. Petersburg, Florida
Lorraine Turner, Clearwater, Florida
Important Dates and Information
Submission deadline (Early): January 16, 2022
Submission deadline (Late): February 15, 2022
EARLY entry fees:
Florida CraftArt member: $20 for up to 5 works
Nonmember: $30 for up to 5 works
LATE entry fees:
Florida CraftArt member: $30 for up to 5 works
Nonmember: $40 for up to 5 works
College Students and Artists in Residence fees: $15
Notification of acceptance via email: Week of February 16
Selected artwork due at Florida CraftArt: February 21, 22, 23
Opening reception and award announcements: Wednesday, March 9, 6 p.m.
People’s Choice Award: April 19
Art Pick-up: April 20
For general exhibition information or questions related to the call to artists, contact: Florida CraftArt Gallery manager Liz Cooper at (727) 821-7391 or email Liz@FloridaCraftArt.org.
Do you know someone or a business that would like to sponsor this exhibition? Please call Katie Deits at 727-821-7391 or email Katie@FloridaCraftArt.org.