Artist Recognition

Our 2D Artist of the Month for December is Oil Painter Donna Pape. Since moving to Florida from Illinois in 2016, Donna has found new inspiration in the beauty of nature and the many scenic locales that abound in the area.  As Donna says, “I like to paint subjects that make me happy and that evoke fond memories.”  Donna hopes that her colorful oil paintings of local tourist attractions will bring back happy memories to those who have visited these locations. Donna recently donated her “Peace River Pelicans” painting to Beyond Ourselves’ silent auction that benefited the Peace River Wildlife Center.  Prints of this painting are available at Sea Grape Gallery. Click here to see the artist's work.

Our 3D Artist of the Month for December is Glass Artist Renee Farr.   Renee's love of glass art began with adding glass components to her jewelry creations, but she soon realized that glass was her true calling, and she has spent many years exploring the technical aspects of the art form, and searching out new techniques.  Renee's pieces are one-of-a-kind and never recreated.  She has a love of color and symmetry which is reflected in her work.  Her award-winning art is inspired by the colors and beauty of nature. Click here to see the artist's work.

Congratulations to Renee Farr, Glass Artist, and Bob Rioux, Glass Kaleidoscope Artist, for being voted Winners in the Glass Art category of the Charlotte Sun's "Best of Charlotte" Readers' Choice Awards Contest, October, 2021.

Kitt Moran's oil painting, "Boy with Balloon," won the Bowles Portrait Award in the October/November, 2021 "Falling for Art" Exhibit at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda.

Joanne Stramara's painting, "Theoretical Permutation," was awarded Third Place in the Venice Art Center's September/October, 2021 "Big & Little" show.

Joanne Stramara's  mixed media painting, "Florida, Hot & Cool," won a Merit Award in the Visual Arts Center's September/October, 2021 "COLOR!" exhibit.

Congratulations to Bev Yankwitt, whose abstract painting "August Storm" won First Place in the Visual Arts Center's September/October 2021 "COLOR!" show.

Joanne Stramara's  watercolor painting, "Dreamscape," has been accepted into the Florida Watercolor Society's 50th Anniversary Exhibition held at the Coral Springs Museum of Art September 5th to November 15th, 2021.

 Beverly Yankwitt won a Merit Award in the Charlotte County Visual Arts Center's June/July, 2021 Members' Showcase with her painting, "Mysterious Encounter."

Bev Yankwitt's painting "Rise Up" has been accepted into the National Watercolor Society's 101st International Open Exhibition 2021.

Renee Farr and Nancy Gray-Giffin both had pieces accepted into the Beautiful Bountiful Bowls Exhibition presented by Florida CraftArt Gallery in St. Petersburg during the months of May and June, 2021.

 Beverly Yankwitt's acrylic abstract painting, "Just Scratching the Surface"  was accepted into Art Center Sarasota's March/April, 2021 "Revealed" show.

Barbara Albin won a Merit Award in the March/April, 2021 New Beginnings Exhibit at the Visual Arts Center for her acrylic painting "Night Dancing."

Congratulations to Beverly Yankwitt on achieving Signature Status in the National Watercolor Society, August, 2021.

Bev Yankwitt's abstract painting "Lunar Light"  won the Canson Award at  the Southern Watercolor Society's exhibit at the Gadsden Art Center held in Quincy, FL from April 23-June19, 2021. This painting was also juried into the 49th annual Florida Watercolor Society's Member Show, held online September 2020.