Artist Recognition

Our Artist of the Month for February is pastel, oil, and acrylic painter Kathleen Hartman.  Kathleen is an award-winning lifelong painter who considers art an integral part of her life, and who continues to paint daily, and regularly attend classes and workshops.  Kathleen is now focusing on abstract art, enjoying the freedom of experimenting with colors and textures that harmonize seamlessly.  Drawing inspiration from nature, figures, and experiences, Kathleen's aim is to elicit emotion and evoke reaction from the viewer.   Click here see the artist's work.

Congratulations to Bev Yankwitt, whose abstract painting, Layers of Time, was accepted into the National Art Exhibition being held at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, February 12th to March 26th, 2026.

Congratulations to Kathleen Hartman, whose abstract painting, Virescence, was accepted into the National Art Exhibition being held at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, February 12th to March 26th, 2026.

Congratulations to Jim Beech, whose watercolor painting, Drying the Nets, was accepted into the National Art Exhibition being held at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, February 12th to March 26th, 2026.

Cheryl McClure's photo of a Zebra longwing butterfly has been juried into the 2026 calendar of the Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership.

Bev Yankwitt won First Place in the Visual Arts Center's "Melody of Art" show, September, 2025, with her painting, "What the Color Sang."

Congratulations to Bev Yankwitt whose acrylic and collage abstract piece "Buried Treasure" won the Judges' Award in the Visual Arts Center's Members' Showcase. Summer, 2025.

Congratulations to Barbara Albin, who received Third Place  for her watercolor collage "'The  Pier," in the Visual Art Center's June, 2025 Reimagine Show. Judge's comment: "This is my favorite true abstract.  What a beautiful balance of shape, color, and value.  I absolutely love the feeling."

Congratulations to Barbara Albin, who received a Merit Award for "Subtropical Terrain," in the Visual Art Center's May, 2025 Walk in Nature Show.