Artist Recognition
Artists of the Month
March Artist of the Month Barbara Albin
Our 2D Artist of the Month for March is Water Media Artist Barbara Albin. Barbara has been an artist since childhood and had a career as an art teacher. She has also taught adult art classes, presented workshops, and has been an exhibition juror. She has entered her work in over 300 juried shows and has had several solo and group shows. She has also been active in arts organizations in both Illinois and Florida. Barbara's love of color and life is reflected in her intuitive paintings. which are vibrant, colorful, and full of energy and emotion. Click here to see the artist's work.
March Artist of the Month Gary Skelly
Our 3D Artist of the Month for March is Ceramic Artist Gary Skelly. Gary has over 35 years of experience in pottery, sculpture, and porcelain lighting, using both wheel and slab techniques, and has experience with Raku and Saggar firing. He has recently added the high-fire process of crystalline pottery where crystals are actually grown on the surface of the pieces during a controlled firing process. Gary states: "I am constantly striving to make pieces that communicate a a sense of balance and complexity, hoping to leave behind something that not only brings some beauty into the world, but also might bring a sense of balance and serenity when viewed." Click here to see the artist's work.
Artists’ Awards
Beverly Yankwitt
Congratulations to Beverly Yankwitt, whose abstract painting "Brewing," was accepted into the Visual Arts Center's biennial National Art Exhibition on view through April 12th.
Nancy Giffin
Congratulations to Nancy Giffin, who won Merit #2 Award for her gourd piece, "Zippered," at the "Expressions" show of the Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild, February, 2024.
Barbara Albin
Barbara Albin's acrylic painting "Moving On" was accepted into the 14th Biennial National Art Exhibit hosted by the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda. Out of 562 entries only 122 were chosen for the show. The show will run from Friday, February 16th to Tuesday April 12, 2024. The opening Awards Reception will be February 22, 2024 from 6pm to 9pm.
Bev Yankwitt
Congratulations to Bev Yankwitt who won First Place in the January, 2024 "Fire" Exhibit at the Visual Arts Center for her painting, "Wildfire."
Brenda Berdnik
Brenda Berdnik's sculpture, "Dinnertime" won Second Place in the "Through the Fire" exhibit at the Visual Arts Center, January, 2024.
Kitt Moran
Congratulations to Kitt Moran, whose painting, "Girl on a Swing," won First Place in the Venice Art Center's "Over the Edge" exhibit, January, 2024.
Kitt Moran
Kitt Moran's painting, "Year of the Girl," won Second Place in the Bold Brush November, 2023 Art Contest and Exhibition, sponsored by FASO.
Nancy Giffin
Nancy Giffin's decorative gourd piece won Second Place in Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild's Distinctive Design Exhibit, December, 2023.
Kitt Moran
Kitt Moran's painting, "Gold Kimono," won a Merit Award and the People's Choice Award at the Venice Art Center's "Bold & Beautiful" Exhibit on view December 15, 2023 to January 4, 2024.
Bev Yankwitt
Congratulations to Beverly Yankwitt, whose painting, "Moonlight,' was accepted into the National Watercolor Society's online International Exchange Exhibition, January, 2024.
Bev Yankwitt
Beverly Yankwitt's painting, "My Summer Garden," won a Merit Award in the Visual Arts Center's Members' Showcase, August, 2023.
Beverly Yankwitt
Congratulations to Beverly Yankwitt, whose painting, "Apples & Oranges," was accepted into the National Watercolor Society Annual 103rd International Open Exhibition, held at the NWS Gallery in San Pedro, California, October 1st to November 5, 2023.
Jim Beech
Jim Beech won Second Place in the Visual Arts Center's April/May, 2023 "Fresh" Exhibit with his watercolor entry "Winter Wall."
Beverly Yankwitt
Congratulations to Beverly Yankwitt, who won First Place in the Visual Arts Center's April/May, 2023 "Fresh" Exhibit with her piece "Welcome Spring."
Beverly Yankwitt
Congratulations to Beverly Yankwitt, whose painting, "Lunar Light,' was accepted into the American Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in New York City, April, 2023.
Beth Lane Williams
Beth has been honored by the Audubon Society with an interview on their website discussing her artistic practice in creating bird sculptures using pine needles. Click here to access the article.
Kitt Moran
Congratulations to Kitt Moran, whose oil painting, "Boy," won a Merit Award in the Visual Art Center's January/February, 2023 New Beginnings Show. "Boy" was also accepted into the American Impressionist Society's third member online exhibit, November, 2022. "Boy" won Best of Show in the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Associate Members Online Gallery for 2022. "Boy" also won Second Place in Venice Art Center's "Now and Then" show, July/August, 2022, and was also included in the FAV15% (jurors' top favorites) in the June, 2022 Bold Brush Painting Composition.