Forgotten Coast and the Healing Power of Art

Recently I was privileged to participate in Florida's Forgotten Coast Plein Air
Invitational which took place in the Apalachicola Bay area May 8-18, 2008.
Presented by the Gulf Alliance for Local Arts, this is one of the Sunshine
State's premier art events. Twenty professional artists from Florida and
beyond painted on location in such places as Eastpoint, Apalachicola,
St. George Island, Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach. There were
daily artist demonstrations, a student art day and numerous social
events. I never ate so many juicy oysters. The 10-day plein air
celebration of Franklin, Gulf and East Bay Counties culminated with
The Grand Patron's Party at the Historic Cotton Exchange in Apalachicola. This
debut of the artist's choice paintings was well attended.
The food, the wine, the music, the people and the
paintings were fantastic. I doubt I'll ever more fun at an art
opening. Everyone,including the promoters,
patrons,hosts and artists were extremely warm and generous.

One subplot that made the event most gratifying occurred when I became part and parcel to the Healing Power of Art. Click here for the rest of the story...

PAF Member Nancy Moskovitz Exhibit

Juror's Choice: 2007 Regional Award Winners
Thomas Center Main Gallery May 17 - July 6, 2008

Featuring work by:
Angela Hoppe, painting
Tom Hundersmarck, painting
Nancy Moskovitz, painting
Kimberly Willcox, sculpture




Reception:
Thursday, May 29, 2008 from 5 - 7pm

Thomas Center for the Arts
302 NE 6th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601

Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday 9AM - 5PM, Saturday - Sunday 1 - 4PM
Galleries are closed between exhibitions and during observed holidays.
For additional information please call 352-393-8532

Funded in part by the Florida Department of State,
Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Arts Council.

From PAF Member Charles Schaefer-Jax Plein Air Event

First Annual Plein Air UU Art Competition & Exhibition

Sunday, July 13th

8:00-10:30



Come join your fellow artists in the First Annual Plein Air Art Competition and Exhibition on the grounds of the Unitarian Universalist Church for the pleasure of painting in Plein Air and the opportunity to show and sell your art.

Awards

Adult

Best of Show Award $101 cash +

1st Place $100

2nd Place $50

3rd Place $25

3 Honorable Mentions



The competition is open to all, not just UU members. And not just to adults.

Child Artists:

Ages 12-17: 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Prizes will be awarded

Ages 5-11: 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place will be awarded



The Universalist Unitarian Church is located in a quiet idyll off the Arlington Expressway. The building was designed by Bob Broward, a local architect, and built in 1966. Inside the Church is a wonderful tapestry created by Memphis Wood. The grounds include a small pond and a beautiful nature walk and are adjacent to Tree Hill Park.



Registration begins at 7:00 AM. Painting officially begins at 8:00 AM and ends at 10:30. This year local artist Allison Watson will be the judge. Awards will be presented at 10:45, before the 11:00 service.

Artists may leave their works at the church to be hung in the Social Room to remain for viewing through August 30th. Artists may sell their works through the church (for a 20% commission) or just NFS them for viewing.

Entrance Fees: Adults: $10 Children: Free

Any questions concerning the event may be addressed via email to wndevro@comcast.net. Please leave a phone number as well.

Tampa Bay Plein Air Painters

Dorothy Gardiner be singing with her group "The Roadrunners" at an opening this Friday the 16th of a group show she is in at- The Octagon, 2470 Nursery Rd. Clearwater from 7-9. The show is up until Aug. 30th.


The Tampa Bay Plein Air Painters will meet at Philippe Park in Safety Harbor at the Indian Mound-waterside on Sundays at 9 until further notice. need more info contact Dorothy 727-244-7856

WCPA - Change in Painting Location for May

Hello painters,
We've decided to change our painting location slightly for the rest of May. Rather than meeting at Pine Island Beach, we'll be meeting at Bayport Park at 9:00 on Fridays. Bayport has more shade and shelter from the wind and is only a few miles south of where we met at Pine Island. Click on this link for a map. See you there! http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bayport+Park,+Hernando+County+FL&ie=UTF8&ll=28.53559,-82.65015&spn=0.123059,0.32135&z=12

Paint on,
Jenna

I recently attended a workshop on "Promoting Your Work" at the LighthouseCenter for the Arts
in Jupiter, Florida. The one day event , sponsored by the Florida State Division of Cultural Affairs, was part of the Creative Capital Professional Development Program. Creative Capital is a national grant-making, not for profit, organization that gives project-based funding directly to artists.

The workshop was informative and inspiring. Visual and performing artists from various disciplines attended. The focus of the day was "how to develop an artist's promotional package". Emphasis was placed on goal setting, strategic planning, artist statements and speaking to others about your art. There was plenty of opportunity to network with other artists. It would have been hard not to gain insight into both the creative and business sides of art.

Perhaps the most memorable part of the day was the passion of Creative Capital Team Leader
Jackie Battenfield. Jackie spoke from a place of integrity about her career and her struggles. She instilled hope by reminding us to stay focused on our goals. When Jackie closed the workshop by telling us that she loved us, I knew she was sincere. Do yourself a favor and attend a Creative Capital Workshop. It was free!

Here is an artist statement that was described as excellent by presenter Morgan Lewis of the Florida State Division of Cultural Affairs.