A Villager’s painting of her cat has been stolen from a display at a recreation center in The Villages.
Well-known Villages artist Billie Edwards had a water-color painting of her cat hanging in the Winter La Galleria fine arts display at La Hacienda Recreation Center. The event was put on by the Visual Arts Association of The Villages, of which Edwards is chairman. She believes her painting was stolen sometime between Dec. 9 and mid-January, according to an incident report from the Lady Lake Police Department.
Other pieces of work were on display, but they were not taken.
Edwards estimated the water color of her cat is valued at $100.
This is not the first time artwork has been stolen in The Villages.
Last year, Villager Jack Ottilige had a 12-inch-by-24-inch canvas of two sandhill cranes stolen from a display in The Villages.
He said he fears such thefts could put a damper on the lively arts community here.
“If this continues, I fear artists may be unwilling to show their work,” he said.
