Vero Beach is fortunate to have an abundance of talented artists living here, and more than 200 of them opted to show off their abilities by participating in the 34th annual Art by the Sea Exhibition, presented by the Vero Beach Art Club at the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
The Art Club changed things up a bit this year, moving the exhibit across the hall from the Holmes Great Hall and into the redesigned Laura and Bill Buck Atrium, where the ample natural lighting appeared to meet with the approval of the thousands of visitors who attended the three-day event.
The show, co-chaired by Judy Rixom and Sherry Haaland, featured one piece of artwork by each of the artists, all members of the Vero Beach Art Club and/or the Vero Beach Museum of Art. As Veroites are always particularly supportive of our arts community, the camaraderie of the crowd, artists and visitors alike was palpable.
Before the awards were handed out at the opening night reception, Paulette Visceglia, VBAC president, thanked the many volunteers who had been involved in the successful show, from the event chairs and the people who arranged and hung the art, to the servers, bartenders and the folks eagerly ringing up sales.
“We put it together as a team,” said Visceglia. “I have to thank the artists for participating in the show and each and every one of you as patrons for being here and supporting the art club at this venue. So let’s have a fun evening and just enjoy life in the art world here on the Treasure Coast, Indian River County and Vero Beach.”
The judge this year was Gregory Grant, owner and managing director of Arts on Granada in Ormond Beach, Fla., who had the difficult job of choosing winners in a variety of media.
The Vero Beach Art Club has a decades-long history in the community. It was originally formed in 1936 as the Vero Beach Sketch Club, was incorporated in 1954 under its present name, and has continued to expand and flourish ever since. Funds raised at the event benefit the Vero Beach Art Club Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships toward degrees in fine arts to local high school students.
Mark your calendars for March 10-12 for the 72nd annual Under the Oaks Fine Arts & Craft Show, a juried show that draws more than 200 artists from around the country. In addition to its Janette Beach Art Gallery on 14th Avenue which presents varying exhibits throughout the year, the club hosts Art in the Park, featuring works by members at Humiston Park various Sundays during season.
For more information, visit VeroBeachArtClub.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
