VERO BEACH — Art lovers came out in droves for the start of another season of First Friday Gallery Strolls in the 3-D (Downtown, Dine and Design) District. Despite an ominous forecast, even the weather cooperated with a welcomed window of sunshine.
Strollers looked forward viewing new exhibits at galleries reopened after a summer hiatus, and were eager to visit the area’s newest Gallery, Darby Fine Art.
“I am always amazed at the talent in this town,” said art aficionado Mark Wygonik, observing works at Gallery 14. “It just floors me, and makes me jealous that I don’t have time to do it myself. I go to New York City a lot, and a lot of the art seems to be contrived, whereas here there’s an exuberance and honesty. You have to think, but it’s not pretentious.”
Gallery 14 partner Lila Blakeslee agreed, adding that the Gallery Strolls have helped fashion the downtown area into a recognizable Treasure Coast art district.
This month’s Gallery 14 guest artist is Colleen Nash Becht, whose vibrantly colorful artwork was so well received that two pieces were sold within the stroll’s first half-hour.
Nash Becht’s work previously caught the eye of David Busch, who asked her to create a label for Southern Eagle’s Chilean wine, UnWined which was served at the gallery.
“I truly think the marketing of this wine has helped me grow as an artist,” she admitted. “This just has become my life.”
At Tiger Lily Art Studios and Gallery, Dave and Sally Jensen were getting a first taste of the Vero art scene. The couple relocated from Birmingham, Michigan just two weeks ago – following in the footstep of his sisters, Chris Loftus and Cathy Dusseau.
“It’s wonderful; it’s a lot of fun,” said Dave Jensen. “We come from a community that seems to be very similar to this.”
Tiger Lily artist Julia Carter was standing by Sean Sexton’s Pottery, Poetry and Other Things exhibit to explain some of his more unusual pieces, many narrative of life as a cattle rancher.
“His artwork ties into his poetry,” said Carter, adding that Sexton was unable to attend as he was helping to deliver a breached calf.
A noticeable buzz surrounded the new contemporary gallery, Darby Fine Art, owned by Linda and George O’Malley. Extraordinary works by world-renowned artists, Kevin Cole, Stuart Fink, Frank Herrmann, Kayla Mohammadi, Christopher Pekoc and John Walker were presented in this inaugural exhibition.
“It’s certainly positive for the gallery district,” said Sheriff Deryl Loar, a friend of the O’Malleys.
“I think this is very exciting,” commented Maggie Creelman. “It’s nice to see something so different.”
Watercolorist Jean Delozi was the featured artist at Tropic Art & Frame; her first Vero Beach exhibition. Owners Lee and Dawn Orre host a variety of other works as well, including beautiful copperplate etchings and framed calligraphy by Bob (Laff) and Leslie Lafferandre.
Tropic Art has issued a call to artists for a Sunrise for SunUp fundraiser in January to benefit SunUp of Indian River County, featuring all sunrise and sunset paintings.
The Artists Guild Gallery featured member Judy Burgarella, whose charming European Doorways oil paintings were the result of a trip she took to Portugal and Greece.
“I had a ball; it was a really great time,” said Burgarella, whose enjoyment was evident in her canvases.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness, the Gallery of Hope presented PINK, works by 16 photographic artists centered on a variety of creative and eclectic pink-themed images.
Currently nine galleries participate in the First Friday Gallery Strolls, scheduled monthly from October thru April along 14th Avenue in Vero Beach.