Epicurean Delights Exhibition of Fine Craft

For Immediate Release March 11, 2021
Florida CraftArt presents:

Exhibition Dates: March 26 to May 8, 2021
Virtual Opening Reception: March 26, 6 p.m.

Epicurean Delights is a juried exhibition showcasing deliciously handmade objects showcasing the best of contemporary crafts to delight the foodie in all. From around the state, 30 artists created 73 pieces from intricate jewelry to glass sculptures depicting oranges, peaches and other fruit. Equally exciting is the programming planned for the show ̶ from chocolate tastings with William Dean Chocolates founder to delving into dining with Dali to famed food writer Janet Keeler.

At the virtual opening and awards reception on Friday, March 26 at 6 p.m., people will have the opportunity to virtually meet the artists and the show’s judge Dr. Jennifer Hardin (the former curator of the Museum of Fine Arts). Emmanuel Roux, renowned for his French flourless chocolate cakes, will talk about his Urban Farm Tasting Tours and gardens where more than 100 different vegetables and fruit trees are grown in the heart of Downtown St. Petersburg. The Zoom link for the opening is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82999722055.

The creativity and imagination of Florida CraftArt artists is boundless. Palm Harbor artist, Joyce Curvin made an adorable papier-mâché marionette titled “Pepe’s Pasta Palace” stirring pasta in a kitchen with a dog anxiously anticipating a (hopefully) falling meatball. “Dinner for Two” is a pair of chairs created in rosewood and maple from Pinellas County downed trees. Nick Reale, whose woodworking shop is in downtown St. Petersburg, designed the chairs with geometric shapes that evolve as they are viewed from different angles. Bradenton jewelry artist Diana Hirschhorn was inspired by her vegetable garden to fashion a pendant from sterling silver, compressed heather and chrysoprase. Metal sculptor Eric Folsom cleverly forged serving utensils in the shape of musical symbols. Laurie Landry used mosaics of carrots and corn to piece together a kitchen or dining wall hanging. And, while plates are normally part of the dining experience, the ceramic plate of a moody coyote by Jennifer Rosseter is unnervingly eye catching.

Members of the Tampa Bay Surface Design Guild have stitched, painted and quilted abundant aprons, napkins, and fiber objects for sale in the gallery as a fundraiser for its scholarship program.

“As engaging the community is part of Florida CraftArt’s mission, the public is invited to attend the exhibition and programming free of charge,” said Florida CraftArt’s Board President Tyler Jones. “For instance, on April 6, Janet Keeler will talk about her love affair with recipes, including some she just inherited from a dear friend, and on April 20, the Dali Museum Curator of Education Peter Tush will present “Dining with Dali” based on Dali’s cookbook.”

Widely renowned for its award-winning chocolate, William Dean Chocolate owner, chef and artist Bill Brown will lead a virtual taste-bud tour during the virtual chocolate tastings on April 27. From Madagascar chocolates to French gourmet blends, the chef will explain the wildly different flavors and origins. Prior to the event, people can purchase gourmet chocolate samples at Florida CraftArt or William Dean Chocolates, 2790 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs, Florida.

The show runs through May 8 when the People’s Choice Award will be presented at the closing reception. People can vote for their favorite work of art in the Florida CraftArt Exhibition Gallery and on Facebook. The exhibition’s sponsors are Mark Anderson and Keith Bucklew, with support from Perry and Lisa Everett, the City of St. Petersburg, and Florida’s Division of Cultural Affairs.

Florida CraftArt is located at 501 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.FloridaCraftArt.org or call (727) 821-7391. 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 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. Florida CraftArt is the only statewide organization offering artists a platform to show and sell their work.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

Friday, March 26, 6 p.m. Virtual opening with artists and judge Dr. Jennifer Hardin, along with Emmanuel Roux who will speak about his Urban Farm Tasting Tours.

Tuesday, April 6, 6 p.m. “The Art of the Recipe,” Janet K. Keeler lectures on how mere words can create epicurean delights.

Saturday, April 10, 5:30-9 p.m. Second Saturday ArtWalk – Visit ArtLofts on our second floor!

Tuesday, April 20, 6 p.m. Dali Curator of Education Peter Tush lecture: “Dining with Dali.”

Tuesday, April 27, 6 p.m. Chocolate tasting with William Dean Chocolates founder. Prior to the event, purchase gourmet chocolate samples at Florida CraftArt or William Dean Chocolates, 2790 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs, Florida. Visit WilliamDeanChocolates.com.

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 Curvin_PepesPastaPalace_Full.jpg
“Pepe’s Pasta Palace” is a 30.5″x12.5″x10″ papier-mâché marionette by Joyce Curvin.

FCA Folsom, Eric Musical Clefs Serving Set.jpg
“Musical Clefs” is a bronze serving set by Eric Folsom.

FCA Hirschhorn, Diana, WateringMyRootVegetableGarden_full.jpg
Her vegetable garden inspired jewelry artist Diana Hirschhorn to create this necklace.

FCA Landry, Laurie carrot. jpg
Laurie Landry’s mosaic is vegetable garden themed.

FCA Reale-DinnerSeatingForTwo-Square-stool.jpg
“Dinner for Two” chairs were made from Pinellas County repurposed rosemary and maple wood.

FCA Rosseter, Jennifer Coyote Woods.jpg
Jennifer Rosseter used a sgraffito technique when glazing this bowl.

Jennifer Hardin, Ph.D.

Janet Keeler

Emmanuel Roux in Urban Farm Garden

Peter Tush_Dali Headshot

William Dean Chocolates Chef Bill Brown and chocolates