For Immediate Release February 1, 2021
Florida CraftArt presents:
Award Winners in the Members’ Show: Contemporary Craft at its Finest
Exhibition runs through March 20, 2021
Virtual Opening Artists’ Talks: February 9, 6 p.m.
Members’ Show: Contemporary Craft at its Finest is a juried exhibition showcasing original art that showcases the best of handcrafted work by Florida CraftArt members. From across Florida, 46 artists created 79 pieces from intricate jewelry to glass sculptures. The show’s judge, Susana Weymouth, presented the awards at the opening reception on Friday, January 29 at 6 p.m. A recording of the presentation can be viewed on FloridaCraftArt.org/videos.
Ms. Weymouth and her husband, Yann Weymouth, have long been involved with international education, culture and the arts. She said, “It was a challenge to choose the awards. Every artist in the exhibit deserved one. What one expects from Florida CraftArt is a level of excellence and variety and self-expression by many talented artists.”
“I congratulate Florida CraftArt for its strong support of artists, particularly during these difficult times,” she added.
Ms. Weymouth awarded Best of Show to Sue Griggs Allen of Sarasota for “Three Muses,” a ceramic and mixed media sculpture.
First Place went to Gulfport artist Dawn Waters for a 38-inch by 27-inch hand-felted portrait of Frieda Kahlo entitled, “I Want to be Your Darkest Everything.”
St. Petersburg jewelry artist Maureen Shankey received Second Place for “Cuff Dream,” an unusual bracelet created in sterling silver with 24-Karat gold accents and faceted white topaz.
Jorie Berman of Tampa won Third Place for her sensuous abstract ceramic sculpture “Shy-da.”
Honorable Mentions were presented to Joyce Curvin (Palm Harbor), Suzy Pease (Gulfport), Emilie Pritchard (Panama City), Nick Reale (St. Petersburg) and Maria Saraceno (St. Petersburg). The Executive Director’s Award was given to Shelly Steck Reale (St. Petersburg) for a ceramic sculpture, “Ready for a Spree.”
“Our members are the foundation of our nonprofit statewide organization,” says Florida CraftArt’s Board President Tyler Jones. “Artists define a community, and we are very proud of the talent, skill and craftsmanship of our dedicated members.”
On Tuesday, February 9 at 6 p.m. the artists will be talking about their work on Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81389878999. The show runs through March 20 when the People’s Choice Award will be presented at the closing reception. People can vote for their favorite work of art on Facebook and in the Florida CraftArt Exhibition Gallery.
Florida CraftArt is located at 501 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. 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. This week, hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Starting on February 8, the gallery will be open seven days a week: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Contact:
Katie Deits, Executive Director
Florida CraftArt
501 Central Ave.,
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-821-7391
FloridaCraftArt.org
CUTLINES (More images of work available on request.)
FCA Dawn Waters I want to be your darkest everything.jpg
Gulfport artist Dawn Waters was awarded First Place for a hand-felted portrait of Frieda Kahlo entitled, “I Want to be Your Darkest Everything.”
FCA Maureen Shankey Cuff Dream.jpg
St. Petersburg jewelry artist Maureen Shankey received Second Place for “Cuff Dream,” an unusual bracelet created in sterling silver with 24-Karat gold accents and faceted white topaz.
FCA Sue Grieg Allen Three Muses.jpg
Best of Show was presented to Sue Griggs Allen of Sarasota for “Three Muses,” a ceramic and mixed media sculpture.
FCA Members Show 2021-s.Jpg
Florida CraftArt’s Members’ Show: Contemporary Craft at its Finest runs through March 20.
ARTISTS IN THE FLORIDA CRAFTART MEMBERS’ SHOW
- Sue Griggs Allen, Sarasota
- Bobbi Baugh, Deland
- Jorie Berman, Tampa
- Wade Brickhouse, Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Joanne Taylor Brown, Holmes Beach
- Sarah Butz, St. Petersburg
- Pamela Carman, Palm Beach Gardens
- Kimberli Cummings, Tampa
- Joyce Curvin, Palm Harbor
- Renee Davis, Palmetto
- Tom Davis, St. Petersburg
- Barbara Demaire, Gulfport
- Terry Demaline, St. Petersburg
- Melissa Fair, Tampa
- Eric Folsom, Gulfport
- Judy Freeman, Ocala
- Diana Hirschhorn, Bradenton
- Alan Johnson, St. Petersburg
- Anne Kantor, Tampa
- Edmund Knudsen, Tampa
- Laurie Landry, St. Petersburg
- Shaw Lane, Dunnellon
- Nancy Lauby, Palm Harbor
- Betsy Orbe Lester, St. Petersburg
- Jill Lindsay, Port Charlotte
- Diane Lublinski, Pembrooke Pines
- Sandy MacNeill, St. Petersburg
- Vadim Malkin, Orlando
- Teresa Mandala, St. Petersburg
- Candace Cloud McLean, Lecanto
- Melissa Menzer, Spring Hill
- Wolfgang Mueller, The Villages
- Peggi Naddeau, Mount Dora
- Fred and Kate Pearce, Treasure Island
- Suzy Pease, Gulfport
- Stuart Peterman, Odessa
- Emilie Pritchard, Panama City
- Nick Reale, St. Petersburg
- Shelly Steck Reale, St. Petersburg
- Jan Richardson, St. Petersburg
- Nadine Saitlin, Boca Raton
- Maria Saraceno, St. Petersburg
- Maureen Shankey, St. Petersburg
- Dawn Waters, Gulfport
- Kathy Wilcox, Tallahassee
- Mary Ann Ziegler, Largo