More than seventy artists participated in the Visual Arts Association of the Villages Fall Fine Arts Show A Feast for the Eyes this past weekend at SeaBreeze Recreation Center. An added attraction to this show was the dedication of the piano painted by six VAA artists. The idea of having a piano available for anyone to come in and play originated with Barbara Vesco, former entertainment director in the Villages. She contacted VAA member Nan Kohr and the plan was hatched.
Kohr along with VAA artists Ann Harding, Carol Hickman, Jo Magram, Catherine Sullivan and Raymonde Winans each took a section and worked together to capture the Villages in paint on the piano.
“It was challenging because I have never painted on wood before, but it was a lot of fun,” Kohr said.
Harding, who painted the Lighthouse, said the challenging part for her was to lay on the floor and paint. She too enjoyed the experience.
Kohr said that the original idea was to have the piano outside at Lake Sumter Landing so that someone could start playing and draw a crowd, sort of a flash mob Villages style. Upon further review the logistics dictated that the piano reside inside and SeaBreeze Recreation Center was selected. It is now available for anyone who would like to stop by and play for themselves or a crowd.
The art show used all the rooms in the rec center and all the rooms were packed with art admirers. Photographer Betty Eich,chair of the Fall Show was very pleased with the turn out. Helen Poor, scholarship chair, was busy selling raffle tickets for the donated art to aid the scholarship fund. Each year the VAA awards four to five scholarships for students pursuing a career in the arts.
Participating artists also donated a portion of their sales to the Villagers for Veterans organization.
