Brevard Art News - November 9, 2008

Special Notice: Be sure to set aside some time on November 22 between 1:00 p.m and 8:00 p.m. for FioreFest

In her early years, Connie Fiore was a musician and artist. At the age of 8, she began playing the guitar. At 14, she began performing in Detroit. She also expressed her talent through sketching, sewing and leather work. In other words, she lived a creative life filled with many artistic activities.

In 1978, she moved to Florida and began dealing with multiple sclerosis. She has been doing so ever since. When she could no longer paint the traditional way, she began holding the brush with her mouth with remarkable results. In 2007, Inez Morrison, the curator of the Harris Gallery at the King Center for the Performing Arts, asked Connie to participate in the 2007 - 2008 art season. Her paintings were exhibited there from October 9 through November 8, 2007.

In 2007, she was nominated "Woman Artist of the Year" by the March of Dimes, and in 2008, she was nominated "Woman Artist of the Year" by the Brevard County Commission on the Status of Women.

Now, Fiore is trying to get her project http://www.artformobility.org/ off the ground. Her goal is to have the profits of her artwork generate money to purchase wheelchairs and other necessities for people like her.

Her friends are helping her meet this goal. On Saturday, 11/22/08, friends of Connie Fiore-LaBoda will host FioreFest Benefit from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for $10.00 per plate at the Southern Room at 345 S. US 1 in Titusville. There will be live music, Connie's artwork, 50-50 raffles, good food and good friends.

Connie Fiore, mouth-painting artist and motivational speaker to school children, needs your help in raising money. Be sure to stop by The Southern Room at 345 S. US I in Titusville. You can also help by visiting her website at http://www.artformobility.org/.

For information about the event, call Mel at 268-3767. To see her artwork and to read more about her story visit http://www.artformobility.org/.

Art in the Park on November 15, 2008

Alice Ahrens, an artist from Indian Harbour Beach will participate in "Art in the Park" at Gleason Park in Indian Harbour Beach from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2008. That's this Saturday. Don't miss it.

She will also participate in ArtWorks in Eau Gallie on the weekend of November 22 and 23. She will be street painting with the members of The Florida Chalk Artist Association on Guava Street. For information about her artwork, you can readh her at sailon@earthlink.net

In this issue:

• News for the Week
• Artist Profile: Bill McCoy
• Events
• Studio Times and Classes
• Exhibits and Galleries
• Opportunities, Organizations, and Services
• Books

News for the week:

Awards Given for Entries into the Strawbridge Art League PaperWorks Exhibit.

Congratulations to all the entrants and winners in the PaperWorks Exhibit. It will be on display in the ballroom and hallway of the Henegar Center for the Arts through January 22, 2008. Be sure to stop by to see it. It's a beautiful exhibit. All works are of or on paper.

An awards ceremony on November 1, 2008, revealed the following award winners:

Best of Show: "Meditation" by Jini James (pictured here)

Best Photography: "New York Bridges" by Lori Knerick

Best 3D or Altered Books: "No Census No Feeling" by Steve Lomazzo

Best Mixed Media: "Anger, Fear, Greed" by Jeanne Painter Johnson

Best Water Media: "Passion Modess #2" by Betsy Bohmer

Best Pastels or Print Making: "Breathtaking" by Agnes Maganelli

Herb Oschman "Give Me a Freakin' Break" Award: "I had the strangest dream" by Helen Wheatley.

Merit Awards

Barbara Burkhardt (watercolor/mixed) - untitled
Mindy Colton (papiere mache schulputre) - "Unbridled Spirit"
Jeanne Painter Johnson (pastel) - "Lilly"
Sandy Johnson (pastel) - "Am I Blue"
Cindy Michaud (pastel) - "Home at Last"
Nancy Mitchell (pastel) - "Jaelyn - Age 2"
Betty Noone (watercolor) - "The Otter Couple"
Loretta Schnitzius (watercolor) - "A Lovely Bunch"
Vincent Vedera (watercolor) - "Window Box"
Donna Vines (photography) - "Dressing Table"
Helen Wheatley (mixed media) "Feminine Mystique"

Drawing Classes

Artist Jini James will provide structured experiences in drawing designed to enhance your unique abilities. All levels of experience are welcome. Calling on her 30-year experiences with teaching and learning, you will be guided through planning, implementing and evaluating your work. Class will also be provided with papers unique to pencil and charcoal use. Pre-registration is required. Call 536-9339.

Classes meet at The Studio, 909 East New Haven Ave. in Historic Downtown Melbourne. Sessions start at 9:00 a.m. and end at noon. There are four sessions per series. Cost $80.

Brevard Porcelain Society Presents:





















Art Expressions presents the art of Kerstin Ziegler

CLIQLAC - The New Works

The original works of Kerstin Ziegler will be on display through November at Art Expressions Fine Art and Custom Framing at 1404 Highland Avenue in the Eau Gallie Arts District. Be sure to stop by to see these wonderful and whimsical works. Art Expressions is are open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00p.m. (Charley and Friends by Kerstin Ziegler)

Food and Wine Tasting with the Cultural Experience of an Art Show and Music...

Join the owners of NorRoma's Fine Italian Restaurant and artists for an evening of art and enjoyment.

NorRoma's Fine Italian Restaurant (formerly known as Villa Roma) is located at 1253 Florida Avenue; Rockledge, Florida 32955. Owners Norman and Carrie Earley and Manager Angie Sopher (321) 690-6511, invite you to join them on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, for food and wine tasting from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for $10.00. They will be featuring five Italian wines and will provide samples of some of their delicious signature dishes. You are invited to enjoy a fun night with friendly people and a great atmosphere.

Entertainment will be supplied by Tom Hueston of Hueston Music and 20 artists will be exhibiting their work.

The artists are: Rafael Picon, Jerry Hanzl, Pearl Ollie, Kate and Jim Johannsen, Richard Berstrom, Chrys Bamman, Barbara Jenkins, Joe Marshall, Diana Gustafson, Melodie Tucker, Howard Weil, Deb Sanger Evans, Donna Harvie, Candice Johnson, Linda Schneider, Lis Hilton, Kyong and Caroline Han, and Lou Belcher. (Digital art by Jerry Hanzl; painting by Pearl Ollie)

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.

ArtWorks to Feature Street Painters

Florida Chalk Artits Association members will chalk on St. Clair Street at the Eau Gallie Artworks event on November 22 and 23. This "street painting" art form started in Italy nearly 500 years ago. Local Eau Gallie Artist Ed Baranowski, his daughter Lee Jones, and granddaughter Brin Jones (3 generations) will be among the talent. Other artists include Janet Tombros, Judy Pardo, Ron Hawkins, Paulette Colon, Lea Tapley, and Alice Ahrens.

Learn about this art form from accomplished street painters. Yes, you will have to opportunity to get on your knees and create a masterpiece.

Carol L. Taylor exhibits The Tulipa Series

Throughout November, Carol L. Taylor is exhibiting The Tulipa Series at the Melbourne Public Library on Fee Avenue. The Tulipa Series is a collection of charcoal pencil drawings inspired by the red and white Parrot Tulip. "The distinct ruffled edges of the petals resemble the outstretched wings of angels as they descend from heaven," Ms. Taylor said. "In some arrangements, the individual Parrot Tulip challenges my eye; in another, it's the entire grouping that attracts me: One tulip as bud, the next beginning to open, and the third in full bloom...never ceasing to provide inspiration for drawing." Carol's email address is CarolTaylorBlackandWhite@yahoo.com