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The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Talent showcased at The Villages Art League’s Summer Art Festival

Villager Jay Summers, originally from Devon, U.K., showed  her abstract realism panels.
Villager Jay Summers, originally from Devon, U.K., showed her abstract realism panels.

The Villages Art League’s annual Summer Art Festival was planned as an indoor event, to escape what can be blistering summer heat. On Saturday, exhibitors and visitors alike were very happy for the indoor locale at Lake Miona Rec Center, as the high humidity outside led to increasingly threatening thundershowers. “We’re in our typical Florida summer weather pattern,” said club president, Nancy Dias, “but we’re all cool and comfortable in here. We’ve had a steady stream of visitors all day, at some hours more than others, and people are sitting in on the live demos and waiting for the door prizes to be announced every half hour.”

In the Stars and Stripes room of the palatial nautical-themed regional rec center, Margie Picard demonstrated how to make hand-dyed silk scarves. One hour later, Jack Ottilige gave a skillful pen and ink demonstration and at noon, Diane

Vicky Rhodes and Joe Fernandez thought the color pencil art looked like paintings or photographs.
Vicky Rhodes and Joe Fernandez thought the color pencil art looked like paintings or photographs.

Andrus showed how her masterful watercolor techniques produce her well known art. At 1 p.m., Roger Sherman painted clay pottery for the crowd and lastly, Jo Magram demonstrated her oil painting skills.

Entrance to the show was free. Most artwork was for sale, and several well known Villages artists, including Susan Donohoe, Wendy Lahey, Fran Naughton and Lisa Woodward, donated artwork for a raffle. In addition to displays of paintings by more than 70 artists, there were ceramics, delicately painted porcelain plates, hand-made jewelry, stained glass, and colorful silk scarves. Several viewers purchased paintings, note cards, scarves and other craft items.

Village of Buttonwood resident, Carole Burton was very impressed with what she saw. “These are really talented,

Well known Villages artist, Diana Crow, showed her paintings.
Well known Villages artist, Diana Crow, showed her paintings.

professional artists, in all mediums,” Burton said. She brought her friend, Joan Groves, who also is an artist, from nearby Lakeside Landings, to help her judge which artwork was best. “They’re all very good,” Groves said, “every single one of them.” The ladies are interested in signing up for a scarf painting class in the fall.

Diana Crow had a large display of colorful paintings, including Villages scenes and a St. Augustine lighthouse scene with a sailboat. “The bougainvilea blossoms on Main Street near Spanish Springs is one of my most popular,”  Crow said, while a visitor was admiring her lighthouse painting. British born artist, Jay Summers’ abstract realism style was shown in pastel paintings of jazz musicians, polo players, a skyline theme and rain scenes with umbrellas. “Some residents buy these panels singly,” Summers said, “and others buy two or three related pictures to hang together.”

Bill Jones acryllic paintings had mysterious charm.
Bill Jones acryllic paintings had mysterious charm.

Among Jo Ruth Patterson’s soft color works was ‘Two Irises.’ “I wasn’t very imaginative when I named that one,” Patterson quipped. “That’s just what you see — two flowers, but people say they like the subtle colorations.”  Dressed as Uncle Sam (or maybe Aunt Sam), Shirley Jerez’ displayed her ‘America all the Way’ arts and craftwork — including red, white & blue birdhouses and flag paintings. Her friend, Diane Kenney showed a large array of earth-toned clay work.

Piedmont Villager, Leilani Schneider, was showing delicately painted porcelain plates and other items. “Mostly these pieces are bought and just painted, but I also did sculpt a few of them,” Schneider said. Winifred Villager, Bill Jones, showed hauntingly beautiful acryllic paintings, including “After Midnight’ and a gold hued ‘Old Fishing Village.’ Jones paintings featured simple lines. He prefers acryllic because when he isn’t happy with his work, he can always paint over it. “Acryllics dry very quickly, so that makes re-painting easy for me. Some artists are afraid to work in acryllics because they say it dries too fast.” The old adage “different strokes” applies literally here!

​ Sabal Chase Villager Mabe Fink shopped for hand-made jewelry at Janet Stewart's display.
​ Sabal Chase Villager Mabe Fink shopped for hand-made jewelry at Janet Stewart’s display.

Sabal Chase Villager Mabe Fink, tried on several hand-made necklaces at Janet Stewart’s exhibit. “I bought more than I wanted to buy,” Fink said, “but I’m sure I will wear all of these.” Stewart explained use of the ‘extender chains’ she had available for people who don’t like necklaces tight on their necks, or for those who prefer the artwork to sit lower down on their tops. There were displays of mosaic art and stained glass, including a skillfully done self-portrait in stained glass by artist Lisette Murray.

There always was a line of viewers along the wall where the colored pencil art was displayed. As usual, some visitors were amazed how lifelike these creations look. “I don’t see pencil marks at all,” said Sanibel Villager Joe Fernandez. His wife, Vicky Rhodes, thought they were oil paintings or photographs until she read they had been done with colored pencils. “The attention to detail is amazing,” Rhodes said.

The Villages Art League continues its meetings and workshops throughout the summer and welcomes all Villages residents. They are eagerly promoting their October Annex Show (at the Sumter County Government Annex on County Road 466 near Morse Boulevard). “The reception is planned for October 5th,” club president, Nancy Dias, said, and we hope many people will be interested in attending.

Betty Eich brought her brilliant photos, printed on canvas.
Betty Eich brought her brilliant photos, printed on canvas.

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