Brevard Art News - October 26, 2008

Special Thanks to Russ Taylor from WGRV - The Groove
Those connected with the Space Coast Jazz Festival wish to thank Russ Taylor for his beautiful design (pictured here) for the official T-shirt of the festival. They said, "He did such an outstanding job,and we are so appreciative of his talent donation to the festival and the Smooth Jazz Cares Tropical Storm Fay Benefit."

Taylor is not new to applying his talents to design T-shirts or magazine covers. His paintings have been featured on the cover of Space Coast Living Magazine, Natural Awakenings Magazine, the poster for the 2006 Melbourne Art Festival, and on the official t-shirt for the 2005 Beaux Arts Festival in Miami. His bold and whimsical jazz musicians are a perfect fit for this year's Space Coast Jazz Festival. To see other paintings by Taylor or to contact him about his art, go to his website at http://www.rtaylorart.com/.

After Tropical Storm Fay in August, musicians across the nation offered to do a benefit concert to support a relief fund for those needing help. The Tropical Storm Fay Flood Relief Fund will benefit from the proceeds of the Space Coast Jazz Festival this weekend (October 25th and 26th) at Wickham Park in Melbourne. Stop by today. Go to their website at http://www.spacecoastjazzfestival.com/ for ticket information for the jazz festival or to purchase a t-shirt.

Russ Taylor will be present at the festival. Stop by to meet him and the other artists participating in the Space Coast Jazz Festival ArtWalk.

Suffice it to say, those at WGRV, The Groove are so grateful for Taylor's contribution to their event.

And now the News for the week:


See Famous Artists' Work At Melbourne Beach Library

Not everyone can travel to the Louvre in Paris or the Metropolitan in NYC to enjoy the greatest of the great in art masterpieces. But a quick trip to the Melbourne Beach Library on the corner of Ocean Ave. and A-1-A will help satisfy the need of local art lovers to see some of the world's most famous paintings.

Beginning October 28, the library will display "Friends & Faux," a collection of copies done by a group of local artists known collectively as the Pieces of Eight. This will be the final opportunity to see the collection publicly.

"The pieces were painted as we studied the masters in an attempt to learn some of their time-tested techniques," explains Jini James, founder of the group. "We began by reading about Mary Cassatt and copying her work. It was so valuable that we began choosing other artists. The collection includes Picasso, Vermeer, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Klimt, Degas and many others."

The show has been popular for several reasons Not only are the pieces recognizable, but they are shown with educational materials that remind the viewers of when the work was done originally and what is particularly notable about it.

Because the collection will no longer be shown in its entirety and since many of the pieces have been sold, a book version of the project is now available for purchase. "The Masters' Pieces" contains over 30 full-color reproductions of sixteen famous painters. It can be ordered on-line for $14.00 by going to http://www.piecesof8.net/ and clicking on the book cover. The book contains additional historical and biographical information about each painter making it an easy way to learn more about the overall development of art.

The exhibit at the Melbourne Beach Library will run through December 2, 2008. The Pieces of 8 include Jini James, Cindy Michaud, Donna Vines, Carmen Beecher, Carol Schiff, Mary Warnick, Denette Schweikert, and Suzanne Peiffer.

"Arabesque"

"Arabesque" is the name of Nancy Dillen's show with renowned Florida sculptor Candace Knapp. Dillen will have 20 paintings (most of them new) in the exhibit. You are invited to join them at the opening reception on Saturday, November 1st from 4 to 7 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, at the Atlantic Center for the Arts Harris House, located at 214 S. Riverside Drive.

Dillen is calling her latest body of work the "Water Circus" series. It's imaginary, fun and includes never-before-seen images that leap and tumble from canvas to canvas. She guarantees that they will dazzle your eyes. She doesn't know where the ideas came from but says that they are "whimsical" ... "off the wall" ... and "unexpected." She encourages her audience to write their own stories around the new paintings.

The exhibit dates are November 1 through 22, 2008.

Directions to Harris House: Harris House and its parking lot are at 214 S. Riverside Drive (corner of Riverside and Douglas Streets). If you are coming up 1-95, take exit 249 onto State Hwy 44. Head east to New Smyrna Beach. Merge onto W. Canal St/SR - 44/State Rd. 44. Turn left at Live Oak Street; then turn right at Douglas Street.

You can see some of Dillen's new work at her website at http://www.dillenart.com/index.htm.

Satellite Beach Flounders' Day Celebration

Artists will be exhibiting and selling their art at the Satellite Beach Founders' Day Celebration. Artists will be inside the Schecter Center on the corner of South Patrick Drive and Jackson Avenue on November 1, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Be sure to drop by for a fun day. Jeanne Painter Johnson will be there exhibiting and selling her art and acrds, and Lou Belcher (that's me) will be there with her photography.

If there are others out there doing this show, send me an email at Lou@LouBelcher.com and I'll add you to this announcement.

Artists Sell Works at Artisan's Market

The following artists will present their work:

• Marg Kuhl, pottery and paintings
• Diane Reynolds, whimsical mixed media boxes
• Nita Terry, paintings
• Misha Jackson, jewelry
• Kim Gell, soy candles
• Brevard Achievenment Center clients, art
• Kim Church, pottery
• Pam Werneth, jewelry
• Becki Butler, handmade glass.... and more.

The exhibit and sale will be at the Artisans Market at Juice-N-Java on Wednesday, November 5, 2008, from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Juice-N-Java is located at 75 North Orlando Avenue in downtown Cocoa Beach.

Harris Gallery at the King Center for the Performing Arts

The artworks in the Harris Gallery of the King Center for the Performing Arts are about to change. The November exhibit will be the works of Marion S. Ott. Her daughter has generously offered the works for viewing by the public. The opening and viewing of the exhibit is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Plan to attend.

Rockledge Garden Art Event Rockledge Garden at 2153 S. US Hwy 1, in Rockledge is presenting art in the gardens on Saturday, November 1, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The public is invited to come celebrate Fall in Florida. Art will line the walkways around the beautiful flowers, plants, and trees. There will be many local artists, including Jerry Hanzl and Pearl Ollie and some of her artistic friends. The colors from paintings to plants will dazzle y our eyes. Make this a family event and bring in the Fall with fun.

First Friday in Eau Gallie for November

Art and Antique Studio and Gallery; Holiday Boutique of Artists

The Art and Antique Studio and Gallery will have an opening reception for their Holiday Boutique on Friday, November 7, 2008, at the gallery at 1419 Highland in Historic Downtown Eau Gallie. The reception will be from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Art & Antique Studio and Gallery (321-253-5553) will kick off its holiday season with a Holiday Wish List for Santa’s helpers

Offered for your HOLIDAY WISH/GIFT LIST are:

• Hand built clay oriental kimonos by clay artist Kim Darby
• Custom designed, free hanging, stain glass by stained glass artist Sharon Burridge
• Hand wrapped and handmade glass jewelry by Miami artist Heather Molans
• Unusual and funky, handmade ceramic cups by Jill Cole
• Textile fiber items (scarves, aprons, and more) by two artists Deon Donovan and friend
• Raku pottery in all shapes and sizes by Nancy Trezza
• One of a kind, hand made, silver jewelry by Eileen Phinick
• Handcrafted pine needle baskets designed by Ronnie & Bonar Phlabaum. These baskets are embellished with slices of black walnuts and wooden bases
• Wearable fiber art by Ruth Wharton, including African fabrics collected from all over the globe (reversible and washable)
• Gourd Rain Sticks, birdhouses, and designer cell phone purses by local artist Therese Ferguson
• Beautiful, handmade, designer gourd purses by Cynthia Perry
• Unusual femo clay covered pens and colorful, abstract, hand-woven small paper baskets in various shapes and sizes by local crafter/artist Sara Crumpacker

For information call 321-253-5553

Fifth Avenue Art Gallery: 26th Annual Designer Holiday Craft Show

The Fifth Avenue Art Gallery proudly celebrates the holidays with the 16th Annual Designer Holiday Craft Show. You are invited to start your shopping early at the gallery. Choose from exquisite hand made, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. Catch the holiday spirit at the opening reception on the November 7th, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. visit with the fine craftsmen and artists as you get first dibs for their work and enjoy light refreshments. The reception is free and open to the public. And, that evening, Brett Tam will be demonstrating his work with glass outside the art gallery. The art gallery was established in 1975 and is located in the historic Old Eau Gallie area of Melbourne on Highland Avenue across from the Brevard Art Museum. For information, visit http://www.fifthavenueartgallery.com/

Corner covers for Framed Artwork

Don't miss this.... Are you tired of dents and scratches when you trasport your artwork.

Corner Covers are made large enough to protect both narrow frames and wide detailed frames from knicks and scratches. The durable and water resistant exterior is lined with a cushioned vinyl fabric. Each cover is connected with braided elastic to fit your frame securely. A standard size set of Corner Covers will fit frames up to 24 to 36 inches and sells for $18.00. Custom sizes are available upon request. The artist or hobbiest can use them to safely transport their finished painting across town or state.

Contact: Alice Pickett at 321-259-2481 for more information.