Artist Recognition

During the months of May and June, we will be featuring the basketry art of Nancy and Bill Giffin.  Nancy and Bill work as a team to create authentic reproductions of of Nantucket baskets and Shaker boxes, using the time-honored materials, methods, and techniques that were used to create the originals.  They are both pleased to have the opportunity to preserve and pass on the tradition of these early American crafts.  Their art works are beautiful as well as functional, and serve as attractive storage pieces in the home. Click here to see the artist's work.

Our featured 2D artist for May and June is oil painter Kitt Moran.  Kitt is a professional singer and playwright, who began painting in oils about ten years ago as a natural extension of her artistic abilities.  Kitt sees many similarities between music and painting, such as rhythm and harmony.  Kitt's paintings are very expressive and vibrant, and convey strong emotion and passion.  Although her subjects are varied, she is best known for her tea and cocktail ladies, and her specialty is portraiture. Click here to see the artist's work.

Marlene Jones won an Honorable Mention Award for her horsehair pottery piece "A Legacy for a Special Horse" at DeSoto Arts & Humanities Council's All Florida Cowboy Art Championship Show.  The exhibit was held in March in conjunction with the Arcadia Rodeo.

Nancy & Bill Giffin recently won Third Place in the Southwest Florida Craft Guild exhibit "Monochromatic-One Color" with their basket entry "Opposites Attract in Brown."  The show is on view at the Naples Art Association from April 27th through May 19th.

Cheryl won the "Excellence Award" at the Visual Art Center's "A Week in Your Paradise" online photo exhibit with her photo of a cute frog entitled "Ribbit, Ribbit."  The online show and the VAC's Goff Gallery Photography Show are both on view through May 30th.  Click here to view the online exhibit.

Thelma Daida won a Merit Award in the Visual Art Center's April Primavera Show with her painting, "Gamboling."

Kitt Moran's oil painting, "Tea for Two," won second place in the North Port Art Center's March Garden Party Art Show.

Cheryl McClure received Third Merit Award in the Rookery Bay Environmental Center's annual juried photo exhibit for her piece, "Snowy Egret Mating Behavior."  The show was held in Naples during the month of March.

Bev Yankwitt has had two abstract paintings, "Fantasia," and "Tapestry," accepted into the Art Alliance of Fort Myers' "All Florida Show"  held in March.  Only 57 paintings out of 531 entries were juried in, and Bev was one of only 50 artists accepted.  

Joanne Stramara's watercolor painting. "Are We There Yet #2" won Second Place in the Professional Category at North Port Art Center's February "Life in the Pond" exhibit.

Thelma Daida won First Place for her acrylic watercolor painting, Conflagration, at the Venice Art Center's January/February Earth, Wind, Fire, Water Show.