Art aficionados showed a little Valentine love once again last weekend as visitors to the Vero Beach Art Club’s second annual Art on the Island 3D Fine Art & Fine Craft Exhibition held at the lovely Marsh Island Clubhouse.
“This year artists could only enter two works,” explained event chair Joan Earnhart, noting that the number of artists grew from 60 last year to 90 this year, and the number of works from 103 to 129. “Last year I had people begging me to get into the show. This year I knew there was going to be a lot of interest so we cut it down from three.”
While the third dimension is second nature to artists dealing in such mediums as sculpture, mixed media or pottery, the two-dimensional artists again embraced the novel concept of adding a three-dimensional aspect to their works in a category called 2D with Pizzazz.
“It was created to inspire 2D artists to explore ways to bring a flat plane out into space by at least one-eighth of an inch,” explained Dorothy Napp Schindel, who had submitted two pieces – a 2D with Pizzazz and a Mixed Media.
Marnita Patton, an artist, educator and art therapist residing in Altamont Springs, had the difficult task of determining the winners in each of the seven categories: Sculpture, Mixed Media, Pottery, Jewelry, Glass, Fiber and 2D with Pizzazz, in addition to Best in Show. All visitors to the show were also encouraged to vote on their three favorite pieces to determine a Patron’s Choice award.
“This show is really amazing,” said pottery artist Dorinda Walker, whose mother, Alicia Callander, won the Pottery First Prize. “It’s interesting, creative and it’s fun.”
“This year the quality, intensity and caliber of the art has surpassed last year – and last year was very exciting. I’m mesmerized by R.G. Book; it’s so unique,” said artist Lila Blakeslee, referencing the artist whose wonderful wooden carving won Sculpture First Prize. “There’s some incredible art. That’s what makes it so spectacular.”
Fresh off his win for Best in Show at the Art Club’s Art by the Sea Exhibition last month, Gustaf Miller equally impressed this judge, who awarded him Best in Show for his submission, Red Cubed Façade, which only select people knew offered two little peep holes for a glimpse inside.
As they did last year, White Glove Moving and Storage assisted by removing and later returning all the furniture from inside the Marsh Island Clubhouse. “We cleared it all out in two hours and we’ll come back Monday to put it all back,” said Anna Valencia Tillery. “Now we’ve got it down to a science.”
