Exhibition Dates June 10 – July 30, 2022
Curated by Cindy Bartosek
Sponsored by Elizabeth Reilinger
VISION
What is a book? The mental picture that quickly comes to mind may be a hardbound or softcover three-dimensional object filled with pages of text and/or images; a textbook or novel, an encyclopedia or dictionary, or maybe digital images on e-readers.
For an artist, “book” can be a medium of artistic expression, a space for experimenting with innovative combinations of images, text, and formats to address topics ranging from politics to poetry, from whimsy to deeply personal narratives that explore and communicate important themes and visual ideas in a very individual way, limited only by the imagination of the maker.
More than 100 entries were considered for the exhibition. The selected 75 pieces by 36 artists from Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee highlight the diversity of contemporary book arts. Each represents a personal story, be that a reflection of cultural heritage or international sensibilities; there are thought-provoking pieces and conversation starters around social justice and state of the world issues. Some are pieces that stretch the imagination or relate personal joys and sorrow; others remind us of the beauty and wonder of the world around us and its peril. Others take the book structure beyond everyday expectations, challenging our preconceptions of what a book is and can be.
The goal in selecting work for this exhibition was to identify individual work that demonstrates not just technical proficiency but also innovation and self-expression through the concept and design and the choice and use of materials. From there, the challenge was finding a balance among formats and techniques to achieve an overall visual coherence: choosing works by different artists that look as though they were meant to be together.
We are proud to showcase the work of these talented artists.
-Cindy Bartosek, Curator
Important Dates and Information
Opening reception and award announcements: Friday, June 10, 2022, 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 12, 2 p.m.: Artists’ talk: Barbara Beyhl, Mary Correa, Christine Di Staola, Melissa Fair, Eric Folsom, Emily Hashagen, Kristine Gintautiene, and Kally Harvard.
Tuesday, June 28, 5:30 p.m.: Author Deb Carson, multimedia presentation based on her book, “Becoming FLO, A Mostly True Story”
Saturday, July 30, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: “One Sheet Wonders: Folded Books from One Sheet of Paper,” Workshop with curator Cindy Bartosek
Saturday, July 30, 4 p.m.: Artists’ talk: Karen Brown, Lauren Dykes, Mary Grieco, Andrea Huffman, Kianga Jinaki, Elizabeth Neily, Polly Perkins, and Rebecca Skelton; and closing reception.
Art Pick-up: July 31 – August 1, 2022, by appointment
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 [email protected].
Do you know someone or a business that would like to sponsor an exhibition?
Please call Katie Deits at 727-821-7391 or email [email protected].
