State of the Art Presence – August 2024
IT’S HOT OUT THERE! Come visit our gallery to cool off and enjoy the amazing artwork of our members and guest artist. Even better, come join one of our Messy Hands classes or sit in on an Author Talk. Also, in the Main Gallery, our Member Artists are showing new works. There’s lots to do this month at Art Presence! Summer hours are Wednesday-Saturday, noon-5pm, and Sunday, 10am-3pm.
August Guest Artist: Sandie Smario-Alison—Did you know that clay can hold memories? Our Guest Artist this month shows us with her display of stunning ceramic pieces. 30 years of experience comes to life in her work that will be on display at the gallery in August. Sandie’s inspiration comes from various European traditional art, her Sicilian heritage, travel, and love of the ceramic arts. She enjoys capturing the patterns of life, using them to create rustic, functional pieces that evoke the past—capturing memories. Her use of bronze and pewter metallic glazes is reminiscent of the old world look of iron. Her one-of-a-kind pieces will transport you to ancient Italy, Greece, Africa, or any place in the world where art has been a source of wonder to you. Come meet Sandie during the Opening Reception on Saturday, August 3rd, from 1-4pm.
Member Artist of the Month: Steve Bennett—Jacksonville resident and pastel artist Steve Bennett is August’s Member Artist of the Month. Steve’s wonderful pastel pieces have been exhibited around the state and country. He has studied with several nationally-known pastel artists, and he and his wife, Sue, have presented workshops around the country. Make sure to check out his variety of landscapes and other works when you stop by.
Messy Hands AND Author Talk: Lyn Ransford—This month, we’re combining the Author Talk with our second Saturday “Messy Hands for All” on August 10th, at 1:30pm, in the upstairs classroom. Lynn Ransford’s books, “Grandma Tell me a Story About…” are written for both adults and children. They are great read aloud books for all ages! Coloring book pages and coloring supplies will be provided to go along with her talk. Have some fun coloring story scenes from her books during her talk.
Call to Artists: Imaginarium in October—This October, step into the enchanting realm of the Imaginarium, where the veil between reality and fantasy dissolves into the crisp autumn air. We invite artists of all mediums to contribute to an exhibition that celebrates the spirit of fall and the whimsy of Halloween. If you’re an artist and would like to participate, or just learn more. Submission due date is August 25th. Details on our website: https://art-presence.org/open-call-the-imaginarium/.
Featured image: “Memories in Clay” by Sandie Smario-Alison