Hope Barton

–In the Moment

Opening reception: Saturday, March 1, 4 - 7pm

Exhibition dates: March 1-29, 2014

New Smyrna Beach, FL –– During the month of March, Arts on Douglas presents In the Moment, a solo exhibition featuring a collection of landscape paintings by St. Augustine artist, Hope Barton. The exhibition will be on view from March 1, 2014 through March 29, 2014 with an opening reception on Saturday, March 1 from 4-7 pm. Both the exhibition and opening reception are free and open to the public.

In the Moment offers a view of Florida’s landscape untarnished by tourism and urban sprawl. Barton’s paintings are inspired by the secret places that she has discovered while traveling Florida. “This body of work captures what I want to say about Florida. That is, the real Florida lies in remote areas. The beauty of Florida’s natural landscape cannot be passively viewed from a window while traveling on a turnpike or major roadway,” Barton explains.

Barton is a keen observer of the aesthetic effects produced by subtle changes in sunlight, tides, and seasons. In the Moment immerses viewers in a Florida landscape that is inhabited by dense marsh grasses, tidal rivers, and creeks in gem-tone colors of oranges, yellows, greens, purples, and browns. “The challenge and goal of this exhibition is to let viewers in on my secret places and hope they will retreat into my paintings to find a peace of mind,” Barton states.

Hope Barton received a bachelor degree in art education from Florida Southern College. She has been a professional printmaker and painter for over 25 years. She has participated in many juried art shows such as: Winter Park, Gasparilla, Festival of the Masters, Ann Arbor Street Art Festival, and Beaux Arts, Mt. Dora. From 1997 through 2001, Barton owned a fine art gallery in downtown Clermont, FL. Her work has been featured in many fine art galleries and permanent collections throughout Florida. Barton currently maintains a studio in St. Augustine, Florida.