Monday, February 24, 2014

SRAC's 16th Annual Juried Art Show A Success!




About 34 artists participated in the Sebastian River art Club's 16th Annual Juried Art Show, and what a weekend it was.  Saturday and Sunday, February 15th and 16th, the weather was great (sans a bleep of rain on Saturday), the crowds were great, the sales were the best ever.  And of course the artwork was spectacular--oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolor--landscapes, seascapes, abstract, wildlife, and lots of 3D types such as jewelry, sculpture, pottery and more.  Artists were happy, browsers were happy, and the Club got a lot of positive feedback from everyone.  Many artists sold works, and 13 of our Artist Members won ribbons for their outstanding pieces, which were judged by renowned Vero Beach artist Deborah Gooch.  Below are the winners:

BEST IN SHOW - Christopher Doomis, "Pelican Prince" shown here with Deborah Gooch
JUDGE'S CHOICE - "Brown Pelican" acrylic by Kathleen Richter
1ST PLACE OIL - "Wading" - by Grace Savage
2ND PLACE OIL - "Peaceful Ocean" by Ray McLendon
"3RD PLACE OIL - "Parachuters" by Shirley Warwick
1ST PLACE WATERCOLOR - "Bamboo" by Judy McNamara (Club President)
2ND PLACE WATERCOLOR - "Lilac Memories" by Mary Rahmig
3RD PLACE WATERCOLOR - "Pin-up" by Ann Marwick
1ST PLACE ACRYLIC - "Vintage Florida" by Ned Nolan
2NDPLACE ACRYLIC - by Lee G. Smith
3RD PLACE ACRYLIC - "Blue Heron" by Beve Bruffey
1ST PLACE 3D - "Snook on the Hook" by Ray Ground

1ST PLACE PHOTOGRAPHY - "Wave" by Toni Hill
Congratulations to all ribbon winners, and a big thanks to all who participated - it sure is a lot of work to set up for a show like this, and sacrifice a weekend to come out and tie up their Saturday and Sunday.  Judge Deborah Gooch was pleasantly surprised at all the very professional work on display.  She certainly had her work cut out for her.  And a big thank-you to her for judging our show--not an easy job.

Next show in Riverview Park is March 22nd, and our final one is April 12th.  After that our Club slows down a bit, no more business meetings for the summer, however the Art Center is still open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 11-3:00.  1245 Main Street, Sebastian Florida ... a nice place to come in out of the heat.

Judy Burgarella
VP, and blogger for the
Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center

Thursday, February 13, 2014

S.R.A.C.'s 16th Annual Juried Art Show Feb. 15-16!


Weather forecast is perfect - 75, winds 8-10, sun and clouds; the view is fabulous considering the show is within view of the banks of the Indian River, lots of shady oaks, a bubbling fountain and scampering squirrels; and the show ... well, now that's the heart of the story - Best of the Best this show is, because Club members bring their best work in order to compete for those valued ribbons - First Place, Second Place, Third Place, Judges Choice, etc.  Many paintings from the Frits Van Eeden tribute in the Hume Gallery will be on view in members' tents.  Take a stroll around the park and enjoy all the pretty views--including the art--there will be all manner of paintings, sculpture, carvings, jewelry, pottery, and a bit of the eclectic.

Spend the day in Sebastian, lots of restaurants on the River and all around town.  My favorite place in town is the Indian River Lagoon, where a nice long sidewalk lines its banks.  Lovely to take a brisk walk there.




Come by and see what's new, February 15th & 16th, Saturday and Sunday, 10-4:00.  Oh, and if you forgot to get your honey a Valentine's Day gift, you can make it up to her with a gift of art of her choice!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the
Sebastian River art Club's
Art Center

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Homage to Frits Van Eeden

1245 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA USA
Below is a photo of the "Homage to Frits Van Eeden" exhibit in the Rosalee Hume Gallery of the Sebastian River Art Club.  Not completely filled yet, but stunning what's there.  It's so impressive how the membership totally abandoned their signature styles and adapted Frits' flair for splashing on color and depicting movement.  And with such proficiency that it appears they had been practicing that technique for some time.  So alive is this exhibit, I hope many people get to see it.  We talked about a light reception before the close of the show at the end of February, but stay tuned to find out if we actually have one.   On view also are 3 original paintings by Frits, on loan from him, and we are so luck to have them grace our walls for a couple of months.  The show is over the end of February ... then the Stepping Stone Quilters' quilts will be gracing our walls.

 Enjoy the view, and if you haven't seen it in person, do stop in at the Art Center Tuesday, Thursday or most Saturdays 11-3:00.




Acrylic by Frits Van Eeden

Acrylic by Frits Van Eeden
Wild abstract by Richard Gillmore


Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center

Monday, January 13, 2014

Prizewinners at the Art Center

October's Theme in the Sebastian (FL) River Art Club's Art Center was "Trees, and What They Give Us," for which John Sammon won first place prize, pictured below, and November's theme was "Lighthouses," for which Jean Dunphey won first place prize, also pictured below.

"Tree" theme by John Sammon, and "Lighthouse" theme by Jeanne Dunphey
 John's tree painting was a knockout, something really different, yet rendered with the skills of an expert.  Long-time member Jeanne Dunphey, who happens to be our patriarch at 86, painted this rather large, impressive lighthouse, so detailed that you could practically pick the rust off the stucco on the lighthouse.  So much good art, so many good artists in this club.  And everybody keeps on a-paintin' and a-learnin'!

Below is the Lighthouse theme entry by our former President Mary Rahmig--great job Mary--hers won 2nd place prize.

Lighthouse theme by Mary Rahmig
 December's theme is "Waves of the Ocean," and my what a wave John Sammon has painted!  Let's see if it wins a prize--there's some good ones now on display in competition with his.  Tuesday members will hopefully cast their 2 votes each to determine who's painting (or sculpture, or photo) earns a ribbon.
Wave by John Sammon


Stay tuned.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the
Sebastian River Art Club's
Art Center

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Library Display Installed!

Some adjectives overheard:  "Stunning!" "Beautiful!" "Outstanding!" "Wonderful!"

Sebastian River Art Club's window display for January in the North County Library, SR512, Sebastian
 Actually, I would say the display is a great sampling of the talents residing within the membership of the Sebastian River Art Club.  Approximately 15 artist members volunteered to create a painting of an animal that customarily lives in wintry places.

Below, Kathleen Richter gazes at her handiwork, which is the beautiful mural that is the foundation for the whole scene.  Kathleen headed up the project, gathering artists together to create 8"x10" paintings on canvas to attach to it.

It is with pride that we display the mural and collective works of some of our members at the North County Library for January.  And the people in Sebastian should be proud to have so much talent in their town's Art Club, and hopefully support us by coming to the Art Center to view more of the wonderful works displayed therein.  The Art Center is at 1245 Main Street (in the Sebastian City Hall Complex), and hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and most Saturdays 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Kathleen Richter, Chair of the Library Window Project

Kathleen Richter's mural painting, without artists' canvases attached.
More examples of the Club's fine and diverse art work can be seen This Saturday, January 11th, 10-4:00 at their monthly Art Show in Riverside Park.  Take a leisurely stroll through the park and view some of the finest work in the county.  Artwork of course is for sale, and many of our members accept commissions, so if you don't see something you like just ask one of our artists to paint it for you!

Judy Burgarella
VP, Art Center Chairman, Marketing Chairman
& Blogger for SRAC

Sunday, December 22, 2013

December's News!

Holiday Treasures Program a great success!

Before the opening day of "Holiday Treasures" which was November 8th, the Sebastian River Art Club members had completely filled our 7-1/2-foot tree and had to dig another tree out of our storage closet and erect it in the Hume Gallery!  We were ecstatic over the generosity of our members in painting all those little canvases, and after working on these little beauties for a couple of months, the Club officers handed a check for $700 over to representatives from the Ecumenical Council's Food Bank.  We were honored to have the opportunity to contribute such a sum from our humble paintings, and happy to know that our efforts will result in many people having tasty and plentiful meals for Christmas and beyond.

These little "Treasures," suitable for framing, will be available all year long, and can also be seen and purchased during our monthly shows in Riverview Park

L to R, Peni Baker, Mary Rahmig, Claire Tebo,
Food Pantry rep., Ginny Earnshaw of the Food Pantry,
President Judy McNamara, Vice President Judy Burgarella
Earlier that day members celebrated the season with their annual Christmas Party at Captain Butcher's on Indian River Drive.  Wonderful meal and great service.  The turnout was extraordinary, and everyone seemed to have a good time.

Christmas party L to R - Lois and Roger Woodrum
Judy & Bob Burgarella
Exhibit Galleries
Theme in the back exhibit galleries for November was "Lighthouses," December is "Waves of the Ocean," and January is "Doorways."

Hume Gallery
Hanging in the Hume gallery for October and November was "Wildlife."  December is "Still LIfe," however many of the wildlife paintings will remain on exhibit through December.


"Pelican" Acrylic by Beve Bruffy

Art 'Round Town
SRAC members showcase their work and beautify the premises in the following public places:  Sebastian City Hall, North End Library and Inlet Wines - all in Sebastian.  COMING SOON: An ongoing exhibit in Compass Therapeutic, on 14th Avenue in Vero Beach's Historic Downtown Arts District!  See many works of our members during the Arts District's monthly Gallery stroll, January 3rd 5-8 pm.  Works will be on view throughout the month, with changeover every two months.  

Courthouse Show
SRAC members will be exhibiting works, compliments of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, in the Indian River County Courthouse in Vero Beach, 2000 16th Avenue, from January 10th through April 10th.  This show will be juried by radio personality and Arts writer Willi Miller.  (Members: deadline for entry is December 26th, delivery is Friday January 10th).


Frits Van Eeden Workshop
On December 17th and 18th, internationally-renowned artist Frits Van Eeden of Melbourne gave a two-day workshop which was a smashing success!  The meeting room was full of painters with big easels and humungus canvases, and stunning paintings were created from those two days.  They are too wonderful to keep under wraps, so an exhibit is in the planning stages so the public can view these exciting works.  Below is just a sampling of what's in store!







Many of these huge beauties can be seen on the Sebastian River Art Club walls at 1245 Main Street, and upcoming at our monthly show in Riverview Park on the corner of US Route 1 and SR 520 East, Saturday January 11th, 10-4:00.  If it happens to rain, the show will be postponed until that Sunday.

Stop by the Clubhouse any Tuesday, Thursday or most Saturdays, 11-3:00 and see what we're about.  If you want to learn how to paint, we have classes.  If you want to help out, we could use you.  If you want to get rid of the blahs or the blues, this could be it.  Someone (usually Suze) puts the coffee on, so stop in and have a cup.  

Judy Burgarella, blogger for
The Sebastian River Art Club
VP & Art Center Chairman

Monday, November 11, 2013

Holiday Treasures Opening - A Great Success!













The Sebastian River art Club welcomed many visitors during the Opening Reception for "Holiday Treasures - Ornaments d'Art," and many of the beautiful original mini paintings went home with new owners, with all proceeds to benefit the Ecumenical Council's Food Pantry in Roseland.

Artists will continue to paint works right up until Christmas, so there will always be new works on display and available, with all proceeds to benefit the Food Pantry.

After the Opening, many from the Club moseyed over to Inlet Wines to celebrate Kristen Beck's Opening of her show there.  Another good time was had by all, and we all enjoyed hearing about Kristen's adventurous treks across the wilderness, and what her art represents.

November's theme for members of the gallery spaces is "Lighthouses" - a popular subject for painters.  Be sure to visit the spaces and vote for your favorite ones - ribbons will be awarded for the three most popular.

COMING SOON ~
December will bring Still Life works to the Hume Gallery space, open to all Art Club members.  This blogger has seen some wonderful still life works created by our members, and so it should be a wonderful show.  A preview is shown below.



Judy Burgarella
VP, and Blogger for the
Sebastian River Art Club
Sebastian, Florida