Environmentally Engaged

September 10-October 23, 2021

“Environmentally Engaged” is a juried exhibition of handmade fine crafts where artists express ideas about the environment, the impending effects of climate change, and human relationships with the natural world. Through the art, visitors will be challenged to think about their connection to the earth through their actions and, hopefully, be inspired to strive for a more sustainable world. 

At the virtual opening and awards reception on September 10, the show’s judge, Howard Rutherford presented awards to 11 artists. He said, “I’d like to recognize all of the 40 artists whose art is in the Environmentally Engaged exhibition. The quality of work of the 84 pieces in the show is outstanding. The artists are from Florida and beyond in Montana. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the artists for the thought and effort expended in creating the fine craft pieces. They have expressed ideas of how we can be more aware of the changes needed to create a sustainable environment.”

Swedish-born artist Anne Andersson, of St. Petersburg, was awarded Best of Show for her life-sized, rainbow-maned lion’s head sculpture which she intricately handcrafted from fibers of the Agave sisalana plant.

Artist Lorraine Turner,  of Clearwater, received First Place for an incredibly detailed fiber work of penguin parents and their chick entitled, “From the Bottom of Our Hearts.” Lorraine is a trained animal communicator who donates the proceeds of her sales to funds for endangered animals.

Second Place was awarded to Julia Galloway for a ceramic urn entitled, “Sea Turtle.” She is a University of Montana art professor  who is internationally renowned for her national “Endangered Species” series. She threw and painted seven ceramic urns, each with an endangered species from Florida. Sales of her work are donated in part to Tampa Bay Watch.

Shelly Steck Reale, of St. Petersburg, received Third Place for “No More Monsters.” Her ceramic sculpture features a soulful squirrel sitting on a human skull. Shelly says, ““We are living on this planet as if our choices have no repercussions; what we fail to realize is that, in the end, the Earth will recover, it is the human race who will not.”

Honorable Mentions were awarded to Kenny Jensen, Kim Kirchman, Laurie Landry, Eileen Marquez, Casey McDonough and Ryan Moralevitz.

Roseanne D’Andrea was presented the Executive Director’s Award for “Sea Life Chess Set” on which each ceramic piece has a QR Code linking to websites where people can learn more about the species or the pollutant.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

Free virtual community programming begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21, with a panel led by Kristen Kusek of USF discussing environmental restoration from coral reefs to bay grasses.  Paige Landsky of Tampa Bay Watch will talk about bay grass restoration and oyster reef installations – oyster balls and bags of oyster shells used to restore shorelines. The Coral Reef Foundation from Key Largo will reveal their project of restoring coral reefs. Dr. Frazer, dean of USF Marine Science, will examine the scientific aspects.  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83961225608

At 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 2, artists Kenny Jensen and Casey McDonough will give illustrated talks about how they incorporate environmental issues as part of their practices. 14-year-old activist Ryan Moralevitz will share how he has been an activist for ten years and creates sculptures from trash he collects on beach cleanups.  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89935226753

Saturday, October 9, 5-7 p.m. Second Saturday ArtWalk in the Gallery. Visit ArtLofts on our second floor.

On Thursday, October 21, 6 p.m., discover how everyone can make a difference. A panel on Zoom will talk about volunteer opportunities, Reduce/Reuse/Repurpose ideas, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and more.  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88186910205

From across the country, artists created pieces in ceramics, fiber, glass, metal and wood. At the opening and awards reception on Friday, September 10 at 6 p.m., people will have the opportunity to meet the talented artists and the show’s judge, Howard Rutherford, art collector, community leader, and co-founder of the St. Petersburg Science Festival.

Artist Lorraine Turner created “Welcome Rain” a portrait of a black panther in a rain forest. Her techniques include raw appliqué, thread painting and hand embroidery to fashion a colorful 24-inch by 25-inch textile work of art. Lorraine is a trained animal communicator who donates the proceeds of her sales to funds for endangered animals.

The king of beasts sports a rainbow mane, but this is no hunter’s trophy. The life-sized lion’s head was intricately handcrafted from fibers of the Agave sisalana plant by Swedish-born artist Anne Andersson. In 2020, Anne’s wild animals set the theme of the Dolce & Gabbana’s Milan Spring/Summer Fashion Show. The set was transformed into an elaborate jungle rainforest featuring a life-sized leopard and jaguar borrowed from the designers’ private collection of Anne’s work.

For this exhibition, University of Montana art professor Julia Galloway has thrown and painted six ceramic urns, each with an endangered species from Florida. They are part of her nationwide project about America’s endangered species. Sales of her work are donated in part to a local ecological nonprofit.

Free community programming begins with a conversation with artists Kenny Jensen and Casey McDonough who make environmental issues part of their practices – including 14-year-old activist Ryan Moralevitz. Coral reef and bay grass restoration will be the second program, followed by a panel encouraging the public to make a difference by offering solutions for daily life.

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