News & Exhibitions

Larry Moore: Sensu Naturae

Exhibition dates: May 5 - 26, 2012
Opening: Saturday, May 5, 4-7 pm
Artist’s Talk: Friday, May 11 at 11 am

This May, Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles in Smyrna Beach, FL will be featuring an exhibition that captures the natural splendor of Florida in “Larry Moore: Sensu Naturae”.

With subjects painted in natural light, Moore conveys the sensory experience of being outdoors: the sounds, the smells, temperature, wind, and the challenges of color and design.

“To paint the great outdoors is to give homage to nature and maybe give the viewers of my paintings a reminder of what was and what could still be.” say Moore.

Moore’s love of nature was first influenced by his Florida childhood home that was situated on a river right next to the ocean, surrounded by a vast preserve of islands and wildlife.

Beginning his career in illustration, Larry has worked in almost every medium and style.  His passion settled on painting en plein air, a French expression which means "in the open air", during the mid-80′s.  “The direction chose me”, says Moore, “and it is more for the experience of nature and the process of creating in it than anything else”.

On his new works Moore states, “This form of art has taken me to many magnificent places; my desire is to share these experiences.”

An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, May 5, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  Larry Moore will give an Artist’s Talk on Friday, May 11 at 11 am.  Both events are free and open to the public.  The exhibition “Sensu Naturae” will be on display until May 26, 2012.  Works by Larry Moore may be viewed online at www.artsondouglas.net.

About Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles: A unique commercial art gallery located in the arts-rich community of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Founded in 1996 by Doris Leeper, artist and Atlantic Center for the Arts founder and artist/benefactor Ed Harris, Arts on Douglas promotes the work and careers of prominent Florida artists. Formerly a used furniture warehouse, and originally a 1930's era Ford showroom and service center, the space was magnificently transformed and has since become a community gathering spot for a discerning mix of art lovers, patrons, and artists.

 

 

March 2012 Exhibition - Christine Peloquin: "Part of the Process"

This March, Arts on Douglas, Fine Art and Collectibles in New Smyrna Beach, FL will be featuring Christine Peloquin in a 2-D mixed media exhibition entitled “Part of the Process”.

Christine Peloquin art exhibit

Exhibition dates: March 3 - 31, 2012
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 3, 4-7 pm
Artist’s Talk: Friday, March 23 at 11 am

With antique cloths, school books, architectural plans, papers, lace, found objects, and more, Christine Peloquin weaves an autobiographical tapestry in her works that invoking and addressing universal issues.
“Art and life is always about becoming more conscious, more aware, and more of yourself”, says Peloquin.  “The joy in my process of collaging, drawing and painting is the instinctual choices of rendering and harmonizing what I will cover up and what I will leave to be revealed.”
Her dynamic images range from faces and figures of women and children to landscapes, nature scenes and abstracts.  Most of the titles come from appropriate words found in the collage and originate from messages of philosophy, spirituality, sexuality, motherhood and self-awareness. All the pieces begin with fabric and paper collage arranged, sewn and adhered to wood panels. Over the collages, the drawings are done in charcoal and the work is painted with acrylics and mediums.

An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  Peloquin will give an Artist’s Talk on Friday, March 23 at 11:00 am.  Both events are free and open to the public.  The exhibition “Part of the Process” will be on display until March 23, 2012.

Christine lives and works in Mount Dora and has been selling work for well over 20 years.  She has also shown in numerous galleries around the country.  
 

February 2012: Open It!

Mary Schimpff Webb invites you to Open It!

Mary Schimpff Webb: Open It!
Exhibition dates: February 4 - 25, 2012
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 4, 4-7 pm
Artist’s Talk & Enameling Demo: Friday, February 17 at 11 am

Arts on Douglas will be presenting a celebration of fine jewelry making in an exhibition by Mary Schimpff Webb entitled "Open It!"  


Mary’s distinctive use of materials and techniques developed over her extensive career sets her apart from other jewelry makers.  Her wearable artworks are fluid, sculptural and textured forms utilizing unusual combinations of precious and semi-precious stones with gold, platinum, silver and wood. All of her works are handcrafted, including the gems she often shapes herself. 

In addition to making jewelry, Webb also creates sculptural boxes, fine silverware, belt buckles and other unique pieces. During her prolific career, Webb has continued to challenge herself with new styles and techniques to apply to her artwork. She has firmly established herself as a fine craftsman of modernist jewelry. 

Mary:
“Each new gem stone, whether is it one that I’ve cut, collected or acquired, brings fresh inspiration to my designs. For instance, the one-of-a-kind agate I used for the Locket showcased on the exhibition invitation was cut by the world famous German gem cutter Bernd Munsteiner.  I had the privilege of purchasing the stone in his Atelier in Germany while I was in the country studying gem-cutting and goldsmithing.” 
Mary’s keen sense of her materials infuses her jewelry with a unique contemporary quality.

Mary began studying jewelry making at a very early age. Her mother Frances was an accomplished artist and jewelry maker. Webb's childhood was surrounded by art. In the 1970s, Webb opened a jewelry studio with her mother in Glen Arbor, Michigan.  Webb has taught and shown extensively through the US.  and has been featured in numerous books on fine jewelry and metalsmithing.

Mary Schimpff Webb has been represented by Arts on Douglas since its onset in 1996. Her beautifully crafted designs have been featured in a solo exhibition each February for the past 12 years. 

January 2012 - Bryce Hammond: Stories

Bryce Hammond: Stories
On Exhibit: January 7 - 28, 2012
Opening Reception: Sat. January 7, 4-7pm 
Artists Talk:  Friday, January 20 at 11:00 am

Bryce Hammond exhibition

The New Smyrna Beach gallery, Arts on Douglas will be presenting a new exhibition by Bryce Hammond entitled "Stories". The works explore an ongoing narrative of one tourist town, Daytona Beach. The paintings and mixed media works focus more specifically on the current dilapidation of small hotels and businesses that freckle the beachside landscape. Tourist-destination cities follow a cycle of growth, improvement and deterioration as the economy waxes and wanes.

Hammond states "I record evidence of human presence in man-made environments through painting, video, interactive installation and performance. My work focuses on the spaces within which people interact (or just traces of these everyday interactions.)"

The exhibition consists of fifteen 12"X12" paintings on panel which concentrate on exteriors of 3 motels in serial progression (5 for each motel). In addition, there are several enamel and transfer paintings on paper and a larger-than-life-scale installation. "Stories" refers both to architectural stories of motel buildings and to the narrative that resides in each. 

Bryce Hammond has had solo and group exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Annapolis, Nashville, Birmingham, and Orlando. In addition, Hammond's work appears in movies and on television through his agent in LA. His paintings are held in major corporate and private collections throughout the United States. 

An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2012 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Bryce Hammond will give an Artists Talk on Friday, January 20 at 11:00 am. Both events are free and open to the public. The exhibition "Bryce Hammond: Stories" will be on display until January 28, 2012.

December 2011 - Small Things Considered

Group Exhibition: Small Things Considered Exhibition 2011
On Exhibit: December 3 - 31, 2010
Opening Reception: Sat. December 3, 4-7pm

 

Arts on Douglas is pleased to announce the opening of the 12th annual group exhibition entitled Small Things Considered Exhibition 2011 (formerly known as the Miniatures show).  This exhibition is open to all the artists represented by the gallery. This special exhibition features a unique collection of two and three-dimensional works created specifically for this show. The only restrictions for the work included in this exhibition is size-all work submitted must be 8" x 8" x 8" or smaller.

The Small Things Considered Exhibition 2011 participating artists include: Jay Antablian, Susan Bach, Hope Barton, Donne Bitner, Tom Brewer, Jill Cannady, Marilyn Catlow, Judi Dold, Lee Dunkel, Rene Guerin, Ed Harris, David Isenhour, Jane Jennings, Riitta Klint, Jeff League, Tim Ludwig, Jane Manus, Larry Moore, Carol E. Napoli, Gretchen Nass, Lee Nesler, Christine Peloquin, Audrey Phillips, Marilynne Roland, Mary Schimpff Webb, Jo Sinclair, Randall Smith, Trish Thompson, Anna Tomczak, Marylee Voegele, Barbara Wagner, and John Wolfe.

The Small Things Considered Exhibition 2011 is one of the gallery's most popular and anticipated shows of the year.  It has evolved over the years to become a great crowd-pleaser and a motivating challenge for our participating artists, many of whom do not normally work so small.  The exhibition will certainly pique the interest of everyone on your wish list this holiday season.

November 2011 - Wendy Tatter

Images in Batik - The Art of Painting with Wax and Dyes on Fabric

On Exhibit: November 5 – November 26, 2011
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 5, 4-7pm
Artist Talk & Demonstration: Friday, November 11 at 11:00 am

Wendy Tatter - Bringing in the Boat

Bringing in the Boat, Batik, 43" x 30.5"

Although she was born in Baltimore, Maryland, Wendy Tatter always felt the call of the islands.  Abandoning her studies at Virginia Commonwealth University to follow her tropical infatuation, Tatter has lived in the West Indies, Mexico, and Central and South America. 

This month, Batik artist Wendy Tatter will be featured in an exhibition entitled “Images in Batik – the Art of Painting with Wax and Dyes on Fabric”

Tatter was introduced to the art of batik in Mexico while attending Instituto Allende.  Batik originated in Java and is an ancient technique that predates written records. It is a method of hand-printing on cloth that traditionally uses a manual wax-resist dyeing technique. Simply put, batik is an old world method of color dyeing textiles… covering designated areas that are not to be dyed with molten wax.  

The basic process of Batik is simple; however the technique of Batik is a demanding one.  The Batik artist works intimately with color. If one wishes for a part to be light yellow, for example, all these parts need to be waxed at the same time before dying again.  The colors in batik are very bright with a richness achieved by layering different pigments.  In Batik each color used is significantly changed by the proceeding color.  The batik artist must start with the lightest color and work toward the darkest color.  The hot wax and dye play against each other in order to create interesting organic lines of their own.

Fascinated by the technique, Wendy has developed a style all her own, sometimes using as many as forty layers of wax and dye. Her work often reflects the people and places she has enjoyed throughout her travels; however she does welcomes commission orders and is especially known for her Batik painting of favorite pets.  Additionally, Wendy will be showcasing her beloved “Farm Yard Series”.  The whimsical quotes included with these endearing animals will leave you laughing or pondering. 

An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.  The Artist will hold an Artists Talk and Demonstration on Friday, November 11 at 11:00 am.  Both events are free and open to the Public.  The exhibition “Wendy Tatter: Images in Batik – the Art of Painting with Wax and Dyes on Fabric” will run through November 26, 2011.


October 2011 - Riitta Klint

Hypnagogia/Nomadic Pause

On Exhibit: October 1 - October 29, 2011
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 1, 4-7pm
Artist’s Talk: Friday, October 28 at 11:00 am



Since 1996, Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles has brought the finest commercial Florida artists to the community of New Smyrna Beach.  This month, acrylic painter Riitta Klint will be featured in an exhibition entitled “Hypnagogia/Nomadic Pause”.

Klint’s works are surreal and dreamlike.  "Hypnagogia is a transitional state that occurs between wakefulness and the onset of sleep.  It is in this hypnotic state where I have trained my brain to wander the huge landscape that opens up to me. It is there that I find my imagery and I then deliver those images into my work completely intuitively." 

Each of her painting echoes emotions and her awe of nature and its cyclical patterns. The paintings are abstract yet reference landscapes - not landscapes normally seen, but landscapes that appear on a threshold.

Riitta Klint begins her acrylic paintings on panel with thin veils of paint that drip, pool and congeal, and like nature, move out of her control.  She works intuitively within these initial drips and pools, “searching for structure”.   For Riitta, each successive stroke of paint or pencil mark continues to build a refuge or sanctuary within the image. 

“My paintings offer me mystery, beauty, fragility and hope.  I am inspired by the many ways people across cultures express their beliefs in life, in their art, and in their myths.”

An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.  The Artist will hold an Artist’s Talk on Friday, October 28 at 11:00 am.  Both events are free and open to the public.  The exhibition “Hypnagogia/Nomadic Pause” works by Riitta Klint will run through October 29, 2011.  

September 2011 - Ummarid “Tony” Eitharong

New Work – Abstracts!

Opening reception: Saturday, September 3, 4-7pm
Exhibition dates: September 3 – 24, 2011



Each month Arts on Douglas, the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery, features a new exhibition. For the month of September the gallery is pleased to present the most recent body of work by one of Florida’s most notable artists, Ummarid “Tony” Eitharong.  What makes this exhibition unique is that this well-known Florida artist has had a transformation in his work.  This body of work is all about color!
 
Eitharong has spent the better part of the last 30 years exhibiting his large-scale photorealistic portraits and mixed-media assemblages dealing with paradoxes of war in galleries and outdoor art festivals throughout the U.S.  However for the month of September, Eitharong will fill the walls of the AOD’s featured exhibition space with highly colorful, spontaneous, discerning abstract paintings. His approach to this “new chapter” of work is just as intuitive as his approach to his latter, with special attention to mark making and drawing as well as color.
 
“This is a very exciting exhibition,” comments Meghan Martin, Gallery Director, “it is not very common for an artist to have the ability to transform their work so completely and successfully.  I admire Tony’s capacity to continually challenge himself.”
 
“New Work – Abstracts!” will be Eitharong’s gallery debut for this body of work.  The exhibition will open to the public with an opening reception on Saturday, September 3, 4-7pm.  The artist will be present for the reception.  The exhibition will run through September 24.  This event is held in conjunction with the New Smyrna Beach Downtown Arts District Gallery Walk that includes galleries located on Douglas and Canal Streets.

August 2011 - Showcasing Schubert

Opening reception: Saturday, August 6, 4 - 7pm
Exhibition dates: August 6-27, 2011

  Jeanne Schubert Palms and Rocks

Each month Arts on Douglas, the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery, features a new exhibition. During the month of August, the gallery will feature Jeanne Schubert's final solo exhibition, titled Showcasing Schubert.

Showcasing Schubert includes works spanning several decades from Jeanne Schubert's private collection, including pieces that have never been exhibited. Schubert recently retired, opting instead to enjoy a quiet life away from the public eye. This event marks the last commercial gallery exhibition in which Schubert will be providing work from her collection. This exhibition will feature work from different phases and series in the artist's career. From still lifes and landscapes to portraits and near-abstractions, Schubert's work reflects her passion for impressionism, color, form, light, and texture. Wanting to share this passion with the public, Schubert has generously offered to price her work for the budget-minded collector in mind.

In the late 50's Jeanne Schubert moved to Orlando, Florida. She quickly became enthralled with the undeveloped landscape of that area. Schubert was introduced to New Smyrna Beach during that time through her experiences with Atlantic Center for the Arts. She is a four-time associate at the artist in residency facility with noted artists Lowell Nesbitt, Philip Pearlstein, Lynda Benglis and Kay Walkingstick.

Showcasing Schubert will open to the public with an opening reception on Saturday, August 6 from 4 - 7pm. The exhibition will run through August 27. This event is held in conjunction with the New Smyrna Beach Downtown Arts District Gallery Walk that includes galleries located on Douglas and Canal Streets.

July 2011 - Go Figure: Contemporary Interpretations of the Figure

Go Figure: Contemporary Interpretations of the Human Figure

Opening reception: Saturday, July 2, 4 – 7pm
Exhibition dates: July 2 – 30, 2011

Arts on Douglas is pleased to announce the opening of a new group exhibition entitled Go Figure: Contemporary Interpretations of the Human Figure slated for the month of July at the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery.   This exhibition will provide contemporary artists’ perceptions of the physical form in both two and three dimensional works of art created by artists represented by the gallery.  The artists whose work will be shown in this exhibition are:

Jay Antablian
Jean Banas
Donne Bitner
Tom Brewer
Jill Cannady
Judi Dold
René Guerin
Gustaf Miller
Jan Miller
Gretchen Nass
Christine Peloquin
Gene Roberds
Mary Schimpff Web
Randall Smith
Anna Tomczak
Enzo Torcoletti
John Wilton

Together they will display the variety of ways the human form can be manipulated to convey a meaning or reference.

Throughout the history of art, artists have had a fascination with recreating the human form.  In this exhibition you will see artists utilizing oil and acrylic paint, photography, marble, terra cotta, charcoal and mixed media to express their ‘take’ on this recurrent theme and with their unique approach breathe new life into an old subject.

Please join us to view these 17 artists’ interpretations of the human form.  This exhibition will open to the public with a reception for the artists on Saturday, July 2 from 4 – 7pm (free to the public) and run through July 30.  This event is held in conjunction with the New Smyrna Beach Downtown Arts District Gallery Walk which includes galleries located on Douglas and Canal Streets.

June 2011 - Past Perfect Sale Extended!

Past Perfect Sale EXTENDED!

 

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 4, 4 – 7 pm

Exhibition Dates: Through June 25

Arts on Douglas is pleased to announce they have extended their Past Perfect Sale for another month.  “I am thrilled with the response to the Past Perfect Sale,” explains Meghan Martin, Gallery Director. “The Sale has been more successful than I had predicted – in fact a lot of the artists included in the show have added more works to the exhibition.”

Participation in this sale was open to all the artists represented by the gallery. This rare event creates an occasion for our artists to clear out their studio space of older and/or slightly damaged work, while simultaneously providing the public with an opportunity to purchase artwork from their favorite artist at a discounted rate.  

Past Perfect Sale participating artists include: Susan Bach, Jean Banas, Marc Barrett, Hope Barton, Donne Bitner, Tom Brewer, Judi Dold, Rene Guerin, Georgina Holt, Jane Jennings, Jeff League, Rodney Lints, Gustaf Miller, Jan Miller, Gretchen Nass, Lee Nesler, Audrey Phillips, Gene Roberds, Marilynne Roland, Jeanne Schubert, Jo Sinclair, Wendy Tatter, Trish Thompson, Barbara Tiffany, Anna Tomczak, Barbara Wagner, and John Wilton.
 
Also opening on Saturday June 4, Arts on Douglas has installed a new on-going group exhibition of the 60 prominent Florida artists it represents.

May 2011 Exhibition - Past Perfect Sale

Past Perfect Sale! 
 
Arts on Douglas Past Perfect Sale May Exhibition 
Opening Reception: Saturday May 7, 4 – 7 pm
Exhibition Dates: May 7 - 28, 2011

Arts on Douglas is pleased to announce the opening reception for the participating artists of the Past Perfect Sale.  This sale was open to all the artists represented by the gallery. This rare event creates an occasion for our artists to clear out their studio space of older and/or slightly damaged work while simultaneously providing the public with an opportunity to purchase artwork from their favorite artist at a discounted rate.

Past Perfect Sale participating artists include:
 
Jay Antablian - St. Augustine
Jean Banas - New Smyrna Beach
Marc Barrett - Orlando
Hope Barton - St. Augustine
Donne Bitner - Orlando
Tom Brewer - New Smyrna Beach
Judi Dold - New Smyrna Beach
Rene Guerin - Vero Beach
Georgina Holt - Winter Park
Jane Jennings - Port Orange
Jeff League - Winter Park
Rodney Lints - New Smyrna Beach
Gustaf Miller - Vero Beach
Gretchen Nass - New Smyrna Beach
Audrey Phillips - New Smyrna Beach
Marilynne Roland - New Smyrna Beach
Jo Sinclair - St. Augustine
Wendy Tatter - St. Augustine
Trish Thompson - New Smyrna Beach
Barbara Tiffany - Orlando
Anna Tomczak - Lake Helen
Barbara Wagner - New Smyrna Beach
John Wilton - DeLand

As a regular feature, Arts on Douglas stages a continuing series of group exhibitions of works by all artists represented by the gallery.  Unparalleled in scale of its exhibition space (5000 square feet) and artistic stable of 60 Florida artists, Arts on Douglas furnishes viewers a unique opportunity to enjoy a wide range of artistic style and temperament under one roof.

Examples of artwork exhibited include: the vibrant batik fabric wall assemblages by mixed media artist Jane Jennings; the serene meditative landscapes by Riitta Klint and the provocative wood and stone sculptures of Enzo Torcoletti.

April 2011 Exhibition - Audrey Phillips

Finding the Light

On Exhibit: April 2-30, 2011
Opening Reception: Saturday, April 2, 4 to 7 pm 
Gallery Talks: Friday, April 29 @ 11am

Free and open to the public

 

Finding the Light, a solo exhibition of the work of Audrey Phillips, opens at Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles in the downtown arts district of New Smyrna Beach on Saturday, April 2, from 4-7 p.m. The show runs through April 30, with an artist’s talk on Friday, April 29 at 11 a.m.

During the 1960s and early ’70s, Phillips grew up in the Florida Panhandle, where her family fished in the crystal-clear waters and combed the pristine beaches of pure white sand. 

“Three miles offshore, where the shoreline was no longer visible, you could see straight down to the ocean floor through 25 feet of turquoise water,” she recalls.

Since that time, she has had a full life that has included many unexpected turns. Ten years ago, Phillips began painting as a way to heal the deep grief she experienced following the tragic murder of her mother in Panama City. The compelling story of her path toward healing through art drew the attention of AARP, which featured Phillips in its recent film Inner Genius as well as an article in the September/October 2010 issue of AARP Magazine.

Last April, Phillips was flown to New York City for the making of the film Inner Genius. During this exciting time, the tragedy of the Gulf Oil Spill hit the media. Her shock grew as she slowly realized that the beaches and waters she remembered as places of beauty and respite would be blackened by gallons of oil spewing up, out of control, from the ocean’s floor.

When she returned home to Florida, Phillips began expressing her feelings about the Gulf through art, finding initial inspiration in a piece of decorative paper she had picked up as a souvenir in New York. 

“The paper’s swirling design represented interconnectedness to me,” she recalls. Soon, she began to see a correlation between the swirling motif and the ravaging oil spill.

Her first few abstract paintings were filled with light and colorful inspirations of her fond family memories on the Gulf. But not long after this, she found herself reflecting on the darkness of the new situation in the Gulf waters. She was attracted to the intricate details of engraved depictions of sea life by Albertus Seba from the 1700s. The work of Ernst Haeckel, a naturalist and artist who depicted thousands of species in the late 1800s, also drew her attention. The otherworldly, almost abstract quality of the images fueled her work as she dwelled on the black curtain of oil slowly covering precious sea life.

"As I created these pieces, I took the perspective of a small organism in the Gulf, looking up through the waters towards the sky. I imagined that the invasion of oil must look like a storm coming ashore, with an eerie darkness slowly settling in. The threat of the oil stirred a protective spirit in me."

To give voice to this in her work, Phillips created mixed-media pieces that integrate parts of illustrations. These arrestingly beautiful dark-and-light pieces express her awareness of the fragility of nature and our need to protect it.

As this body of work progressed for the upcoming solo exhibition, Phillips became more hopeful as she thought of “nature’s innate intelligence and its ability to heal.” Following this lead, her paintings moved beyond the subject of trauma to the more universal themes of spirituality and healing in the lives of human beings. Finding the Light, a large 72 x 36-inch painting incorporating both light and dark forms, reflects Phillips’ personal transcendence as well as the perceived duality and richness inherent in all life.




March 2011 - Lee Dunkel and Jane Jennings

Lee Dunkel - "Fifteen Preludes to Lyonia" 
Jane Jennings - "The Art of Luminosity: Batik Assemblages"  

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 6, 4 – 7 pm 
Exhibition Dates: March 6 - 26, 2011 

Gallery Talks 
Lee Dunkel: March 11, 11am
Jane Jennings: March 25, 11am

Free and open to the public

Each month one of the 59 artists represented by Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery, is featured in a solo exhibition. During the month of March, the gallery will be showcasing 2 solo artists: Lee Dunkel and Jane Jennings.



This body of work by renowned photographer Lee Dunkel was created at the Lyonia Preserve in Deltona, Florida. It is a prelude to a larger body of work that will be presented at the Southeast Museum of Photography in October of 2012.

Lee Dunkel Black & White Photography

The Lyonia Preserve is known as an “upland” landscape, meaning that it is high and dry. There are few upland areas left in Florida. Since 1994, restoration efforts have been made to remove overgrown sand pines, creating bare sand areas with low-growing vegetation preferred by native scrub species.



Dunkel describes her work in Lyonia: 

“The austere landscape at Lyonia is almost a Zen experience, with its pure white sand and sparse vegetation. At first I thought there was not a lot to photograph, because, as a whole, it looked more forbidding than enticing. But the more I returned to it, the more I saw. I worked with the changing light, weather, and seasons, finding beautiful details in the plants and terrain.”


There is a book accompanying the exhibition called Nine Portfolios 1985-2008, featuring the artist’s black and white photographs from 1985 – 2008. Lee Dunkel will be giving a gallery talk on Friday, March 11 at 11am to discuss her work and artistic process.

Jane Jennings Batik Assemblage

Distinguished fiber artist Jane Jennings uses batik fabric to create delicately crafted assemblage sculptures. The title of her new show, The Language of Luminosity: Batik Assemblages springs forth from a collection of new work using cotton batiks as an art medium.

The title of this show has a dual meaning: It is first the result of inspiration from the radiant hues of hand-dyed and hand-printed fabrics made in Indonesia and secondly, the concept of spiritual enlightenment subtly expressed in visual form. Several pieces in the show incorporate a natural theme with a fantasy element normally unexpected in Jenning’s work. In contrast, the multi-dimensional wall pieces included in the exhibit are meant to emphasize the absence of nature and the stark coldness of city life. Regardless of subject matter, the luminosity of batik patterns and vivid colors opens a world of artistic possibilities for the fiber artist.


Jennings will be giving a gallery talk on Friday, March 25 at 11am to discuss her work and artistic process.