An Open, All Media, Juried Exhibition

Exhibit: Oct 10 – Nov 17
Kellogg Gallery
Opening Reception: Thursday, Oct 12, 5:00-7:00

An open juried show that asked artists to share their favorite Florida find, whether a favorite beach, native creature, local seafood shack, the myriad of natural springs, or a favorite fishing pier.

Juror: Dr Brandy Stark
For the Florida Finds show I wanted to really explore the Florida experience – tourists, history, nature, amazing secret finds, candid images from events. The show provided all of that and more and made it quite a challenge to jury.

	First place went to Goldie Tremblay because of the beautiful image of the Ca’ d’Zan.  This building encompasses history, with the Ringling family, tourism, the arts, and can be both very public when the crowds are there and very private when they’re not. I enjoyed the splashes of color that are coming in from the windows, it does have Florida’s water in the background, along with the required umbrella and chairs for relaxing by the bay. It is both intimate from its point of view and easily identifiable to those who live here and have been to the building.
	Second place goes to Kathy Simon-McDonald. I greatly appreciate the Hopper reference and it actually made me laugh out loud when I saw it. It’s quite brilliant “bringing” the artist to this area. Florida can also be a very solitary and lonely place sometimes.  Sitting in a 24-hour diner, the only building around that is open, with just a few visitors is intriguing. It shows Florida at night rather than during the day. There’s no beach but it is inner city and of course our cityscapes are becoming well known across the nation.
	Third place is Kris Peterson. I appreciated the image of the ArtCenter from the beginning of the jury process. It has very crisp clear lines. I love the blue sky and the contrast of the trees and the greenery. It takes a unique look at the building. It also reminds me of Florida’s past, since the ArtCenter was established in 1955, its present, since the show is here now, and its future of being torn down and replaced with a new building with a park and sculpture garden to meet the growing needs of the people.
	The merit award goes to Ann Modrcin. I appreciate that a literal piece of Florida was used with the natural wood. I like the integration of the wood grain modifying the face and how the face conforms to the sometimes jagged edges of the cut. I also wonder what she is looking at and I love that she is serene and yet also contemplating something. I would like to stop and ask her what it is that she’s thinking about.
	Best in 3D has to be Gregg Wilkins. Florida is a very unique place because it has one of two Salvador Dali museums in the world. Dali definitely looks surreal here with his handlebar mustache having hands to hold up his glasses, the camel and melted clocks as some of his iconic images, the peanut gallery is hysterical, and one of my very favorite images of his is the oozing eggs that appear in many of his works. Yet, this Dali has freckles, eyelashes, and a unique crew neck shirt. Plus there’s the Howdy Doody glasses, which make me ask ‘why?’.  What is this artist’s subconscious mind manifesting?