It is both an honor and a heartfelt responsibility to serve as Awards Juror for this exhibition. I extend my sincere gratitude to all the artists who submitted their artwork. It takes courage and passion to share your creative vision with others.

In determining the award recipients, I carefully evaluated each piece against benchmarks of technical proficiency, compositional design, and the power of individual expression – qualities that transcend subject or style.

The Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society Exhibition is a celebration of artistic diversity, showcasing a remarkable array of styles, ability and voices. From realistic to abstract and everything in between, the range of artistic expression is both inspiring and expansive.

Congratulations to all the award winners for their ability to communicate compelling narratives and distinctive personal styles. You made me want to look further into your process of creation.

Finally, my heartfelt thanks to the FSWS Board, Committee Chairs, and volunteers for their dedication and hard work. Your commitment makes this celebration of art possible.

-Judy Salzman, Juror

Reid Hodges Gallery

Curated Exhibition

Denise Cormier Mahoney is a mid-career painter and printmaker whose illustrative and surfaced designed compositions are infused with memories and stories told from the point of view of a child free to explore.

Artist Statement:

As a mid-career painter and printmaker, I have been creating art fulltime since the year 2000. I teach printmaking workshops interspersed with producing my own work.

My narrative mixed media paintings are an intuitive blend of acrylic paint, gold leaf, handmade paper and fabric that give life to my contemporary concepts. Each painting starts with an idea that takes many compositional and decorative turns before I call it complete. The result is an intricate tapestry of visual elements that invites my viewers to explore the many layers of textural detail and form.

In my latest body of work, I explore childhood explorations as a way of reminding us of the essential interdependence between humanity and nature. As each of us does our best to be responsible with our environment, balance and harmony are created.

Incorporating symbolism steeped in healing traditions, each piece carries profound meaning. The tree embodies stability & growth, the crow transformation & positive change, the seagull opportunity & harmony, and the owl wisdom & intuition.

In all my work I seek to evoke reflection on our experiences in nature and contemplation of our individual roles in the safekeeping of our natural resources.

Kellogg Gallery

Women Contemporary Artists (WCA) is an established organization of women in the visual arts based in Florida’s Sarasota and Manatee counties. Their mission is to provide visibility, support and inspiration to women artists. Founded in 1984, a group of twenty women artists in the region developed a plan to form a group to encourage other women artists in their artistic journeys. This talented group of women artists has continually grown each year and now has more than 150 regional members.

The work submitted for this exhibition was quite pleasing with a broad spectrum of approached in mediums and concepts. Some pieces were created using great facility, and it was quite evident that years of practice had gone into mastering the techniques, while others were more explorative and vibrated with the energy of the artistic adventure. What I found most delightful about this show is the creativity and varied approaches to artmaking. I chose to consider color expression, texture both 3D and 3D, compositional organization, value contrast, creativity and originality, narrative, and technical merit, as my criteria.

I was impressed and inspired by all of the work presented and I truly appreciate the opportunity to act as juror for this exhibition. Thank you.

Juror, Alexander J. Snyder

First Place: Mid Century Modern, Yvonne Posa

The choice of first place proved as difficult as the others, but there was one piece that continued drawing me back: a watercolor painting called “Mid Century Modern”. There are several qualities in this painting that I found compelling. The complimentary color palette of blue and orange is attractive, and activates the composition with the focal point of the blue bedspread in the lower left balanced with the pops of blue in the picture frames on the back wall. The interplay of light and shadow in the room is well done, particularly conveying the texture and folds on the pillows, and the bright cast light on the floor which enlivens the space and acts as a directional line pointing us back up into the composition. Beyond the artistic and technical skills used in this painting, the thing that kept bringing me back to this pieces was the story it is inviting us to consider. Yes it is a warm and inviting space, but who’s room is it? Is this the guest bedroom in someone’s home, ready for a long awaited friend’s visit? Did it belong to someone who is no longer with us? The space inside is simple, cozy and welcoming, while the large window beckons us to venture outside. It was this sense of intrigue compiled with the skill of the painter that caused me to choose this painting to receive first place.

Second Place: Timeless, Peg Green

There were a number of great fabric and textile pieces included in this collection, but the bold red portrait titled “Timeless” was selected for second place. This artwork garnered my attention because of the complexity of the patterns, rhythm, color and texture, and the flowing sculptural aspects of this piece.

Third Place: Alternate Pathways, Janice Newman

Third place was awarded to “Alternate Pathways”. This painting got my attention because of the color use and the value structure of the piece. I think that both of these qualities work in concert with each other to draw the viewer’s eye through the landscape.

ACM Member Exhibition

Kellogg & Reid Hodges Galleries

November 26 – December 27, 2024

Opening Reception, December 5, 5:00-7:00

I was highly impressed with the quality of work in this Members show. There were simply not enough awards to truly do it justice. The choices I made were hard, and not one of the artists should feel slighted if an award was not granted to them. Well done to ALL of YOU!

Willow Wright, Curator, Carrollwood Cultural Center.

First Place

What’s Old Is New, Stephen Brewer, Acrylic

Masterfully rendered. This artist has captured most of what I love about how light creates form. That slight gap between highlight and shade…That bit of missing mid-tone creates so much drama – The brushwork, value differential and color choices are just magic!

Second Place

Chris, Susanna Spann, Watercolor

This artist demonstrates mastery of the medium in addition to the figure. The dramatic lighting creates an interesting play of texture across the face and tableau. It feels like nothing else exists but the music, at this moment! Well done!

Third Place

50’s Florida, Kris Peterson, Watercolor & Pastel

Classica 1950s Florida! Exquisitely rendered – Perfect perspective, excellent water reflections! And yet there is no doubt who the star is in this wonderful work of art! Thank you for sharing with all of us!

Equal Merit

The Doe’s A Dream, Joseph Smith, Scratchboard

The artist expresses a unique perspective and technique! The piece is disturbing yet provocative and thought provoking. How is it that we are seeing both the outside and inside of the structure of this being. I might have called this “Dissemination.”

Best In 3D

Butterfly, Lunge, Cow, Sue Kerr, Raku

This artist demonstrates a mastery of the medium in both glazes and sculpture. I am cheered by the humorous aspect of the figures and am happily reminded of childhood narratives!  Well Done!

Honorable Mention

Amsterdam Reflections, Deborah Van Brunt

There is a narrative here that keeps pulling me back to this painting. The composition and silhouette of the central character is compelling, but without the title, is still a mystery.

Honorable Mention

R (4), Myron Hansen

A powerful Abstract. Draws me into the mysteries of the Universe – Dramatic color and lines pull me into something like a wormhole that might take me to places I’ve never been before! Great imagination!

Honorable Mention

Rusty & His 23 Window V Dub Bus, Gary Green, Digital Painting

Impeccably and masterfully rendered -The classic “Hippymobile!” Who could resist! This is a classic in Fine Photographic Illustration style!

Honorable Mention

Wonky Vase, Debbie Pigman, Clay

The artist’s technical skills are obvious in the exact construction and delicate glazes of this piece. The overall aspect is so well balanced and yet not symmetrical, which adds to its success.