Through October 23
Florida CraftArt
Details here
In the current Environmentally Engaged exhibition at Florida CraftArt, artists express their concerns, hopes and fears about the environment, the impending effects of climate change and human relationships with the natural world. 84 works by 40 artists are on display.
At the virtual opening and awards reception on September 10, the show’s judge Howard Rutherford presented awards to 11 artists. Swedish-born Anne Andersson of St. Petersburg was awarded Best of Show for her life-sized, rainbow-maned lion’s head sculpture intricately handcrafted from fibers of the Agave sisalana plant.
Artist Lorraine Turner of Clearwater received First Place for a 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 titled 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.
Free Virtual Community Programming
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Tuesday, September 21 at 6 pm
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 Restoration Foundation from Key Largo will reveal their project of restoring coral reefs. Dr. Frazer, Dean of the USF College of Marine Science, will examine the scientific aspects. Zoom link here.
Saturday, October 2 at 2 pm
Visual 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. Zoom link here.
Thursday, October 21 at 6 pm
Discover how everyone can make a difference. A panel talk on volunteer opportunities, Reduce/Reuse/Repurpose ideas, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and more. Zoom link here.
Saturday, October 23
The People’s Choice Award will be presented. Viewers can vote for their favorite work of art in person at the Florida CraftArt Exhibition Gallery and on Facebook.
