Art on the Terrace
Friday, March 19 and Saturday , March 20 Wakulla Springs State Park
One of the great social events of the Festival is the Wildlife Art Grand Opening to be held on Friday evening March 19th from 6:30-9:30 pm.
The Wakulla Springs Lodge welcomes both local visitors and guests from around the nation who appreciate the fine work of our regional artisans. Shell carvings, oil and watercolor paintings, photo art, historic and contemporary clay sculpture tempt those in attendance to bring a piece of art capturing the natural beauty of the area home.
If music is what feelings sound like, then Jonny Lipford captures an expanse of human emotion with his Native American flute. His contemporary sound mingled with his heartfelt passion for every note, creates a connection with his listeners. It is a haunting reminder of the quality of life enjoyed in a region touted as “The Natural Place to Be.”
The silent auction is a favorite way to support the Wakulla Wildlife Festival. It is also a great way to view samples of the artist’s work and acquire fine art at a consumer determined value. Bidding begins at 6:30 pm and ends at 9:10pm. Winners are welcome to claim their prizes at the end of bidding.
Complementary hors d’ oeuvres and a cash bar offering wine and beer punctuate an evening enhanced with fine food designed to tempt the palette. Order off the menu in the Ball Room Restaurant to titillate the taste buds with fine Southern cuisine. Make reservations for your special evening out by calling (850) 926-0700.
Meet the Artists:
Grady Smith (www.creekcarver.com) has long been moved from within to communicate his rich Native American heritage through the creation of resplendent shell carvings. The carvings take the form of gorgets, intended to be worn on a necklace. Each piece is unique. Its character is determined by the shell used and how it speaks to the artist. Often Grady’s work encompasses ancient Southeastern Native American symbols such as the spider or alligator. His work has earned high praise having received many awards including Best of Show at the 2006 Thunderbird Intertribal Powwow.
Win Conger is a self-taught artist born in Holland. She teaches art in her studio along the Coastal Highway in Crawfordville, FL. She enjoys acrylic paintings, prints and miniatures. She currently has her work displayed at Posh in Sopchoppy, My Secret Garden and Art Warehouse in Crawfordville. Win’s art in miniature and murals are enjoyed internationally and throughout the U.S.
When she was ten years old, Judith Pennington discovered that she could turn a photo into a drawing. Since then, she has utilized her talent in “painting” with black and colored pencil. Her work has won first place ribbons at the North Florida Fair. Recently, she has enjoyed drawing the wildlife of Florida. Her love for the environment and especially those species at risk is conveyed in her much lauded work.
Carole Robertson (www.robertsonartgallery.com) uses a very different medium to express her visions. She is a photo artist. Her goal is to do more than just capture an image on paper. Her vision moves her to find the moment, the design, and the light that expresses a positive emotional reaction. Her nature portraits are her first love. They are an effort to transport the viewer into the secret and private world of her subjects. Carole’s work can be found in magazine, book, and calendar print. She regularly attends juried art shows and has won numerous awards.
Bruce Cook’s art is rooted in rare and unusual materials from the natural world. His custom wooden artwork and decorative signs are often created from antique pine salvaged from the bottom of the Suwannee River. This old growth wood preserved by the water’s tannins was originally harvested in the Civil War era. Bruce incorporates other materials such as glass, precious metals and exotic minerals into his imaginative creations. He makes every effort to use non-toxic stains and adhesives and protects his work with a remarkably beautiful and durable resin finish. His creations are designed to last and remain family heirlooms for generations to come. Bruce recently displayed his work at the Princeton University Medical Center and for the NFL Players Association in Tampa, Florida. You can enjoy a preview of his work by visiting www.southernartistry.org, search Florida and find Bruce Cook.
For James Callis, photographing Florida’s wildlife has become a recent joy. Many of his 35 mm or digital stills lend themselves to being printed on watercolor paper rather than the traditional photo paper. His creative choices offer yet another way to enjoy the wonders of Florida’s environment.
Maria Cobian is a Spanish teacher at SAIL High School and a dedicated volunteer for a cooperative of indigenous women from the Amazon of Ecuador in the Pastaza region. 100% of the profits from the sale of the arts and crafts created by “Cooperativa de mujeres amazonicas en defense de la ‘Allpamama’” represent an effort to establish an eco-sustainable income for their makers. In addition some of the funds raised are used to educate their people regarding the imminent threat of development and destruction of their way of life. Alternatives to development include reforestation and restoration of endangered plants to the region. Support of the cooperative’s indigenous art makes their work and way of life possible.
Gyotaku and nature based jewelry have been Tamara Byrne’s passion for over 20 years. Gyotaku is a traditional form of Japanese fish painting dating from the mid 1800’s. Tamara has taught college level classes in this art form. At home in Wakulla County, Tamara’s diverse talent also embraces an artistic approach to a “greener” community. Using her own special printing techniques, Tamara decorates rain barrels which harvest rainwater to be used around the home. Each unique barrel is signed and dated as a functional work of art.
Marty Haythorn (www.ancienthands.com) has produced and taught pottery for over 35 years. His interest in Native American pottery began in childhood as his parents traveled the Southwest. In the 70’s he worked on creating museum-quality reproductions of Southeastern pre-Colombian pottery. His work now includes original pieces in the Southeastern tradition and an expanding collection of reproductions.
Mark Atwater resides in rural Seminole county in southwest Georgia where he has lived for over 20 years. His work as a botanist in wildlife habitat restoration and invasive plant management has provided him an abundance of opportunities to capture many unique and pristine properties in his photography. Mark's unique perspective allows him to see and capture beauty which surrounds us all but which most scarcely notice. Mark says: "God paints it and I just try to frame it." He has been an ardent photographer for over 24 years since being introduced to photography in graduate school. See his work by visiting www.upclosenature.com.
Tina Baher Fleming relates, “My paintings speak for me.” From a child, the images she has created have conveyed more than words could express. Her work strives to reflect the peacefulness of nature, to capture the soul-felt impact of the beauty she has experienced, and to deepen the connection people have with the earth they inhabit. Having studied art at FSU and earned a degree in design, her creative expression took the form of artistic display. She has returned to the satisfaction of self expression through drawing and painting.
Melinda Patrick Cowen Ph.D. has been producing art, jewelry, and costume designs for over twenty years. Her sense of color, shape, and subtle layering give even the most common item distinction. She has won awards in design and art competitions along with the opportunity to show her creations in gallery settings. Dr. Cowen currently focuses on creating nature inspired jewelry with special emphasis on quality materials and individual preferences.
“Nature has always inspired and informed my work,” confesses Nancy Jefferson. Nancy began working in clay at the University of Kentucky, and furthered her studies at the Penland School of Crafts in Penland, NC and at Haystack in Deer Isle, ME. With techniques that include high fire porcelain, raku (clay) and sawdust firings she strives to interpret the forms, colors, and textures of the environment. For twenty years, she owned a studio and gallery in the Florida Keys, but now lives, works, and learns in Wakulla County. Having recently become a Certified Green Guide, her experiences have given birth to new inspirations as she incorporates them into the spontaneous nature of the clay with which she works.
Debra Brienen has painted all her life. Whether inspired or commissioned her work favors idyllic moments either real or remembered. Her most recent venture, Painted Memories, preserves the places and events precious to her clients on canvas. She has exhibited in many juried shows and has received the “People’s Choice” award for the Lemoyne 2008 Pillars Project. She exhibits her works at the Lily Pads Art Gallery in Grayton Beach, Florida and online at www.brienenart.com. As a grateful cancer survivor, Debra donates a portion of each sale to the American Cancer Society.
Although Randy Brienen has painted on and off all of his life, in 2007 he started painting seriously. He immediately found collector interest in his impressionistic and abstract styles. His use of vibrant colors and bold textures are a creative interpretation of his subjects and surroundings. Randy’s work has been extensively exhibited locally. He is very active in the local art community and is currently the Vice-President of the Tallahassee Watercolor Society. His work can be enjoyed at the Lily Pads Art Gallery in Grayton Beach and online at www.brienenart.com.