The January edition of Artwalk Gainesville aimed the spotlight on new galleries and up-and-coming artists. There was certainly a little something for everyone, from one end of Main Street to the other.
The Gainesville Fine Arts Association showed off its brand new home on Friday night during the monthly Artwalk Gainesville. A steady flow of people meandered through its extensive “Love & Compassion” exhibit featuring the works of more than 60 local artists.
“This is our opening night after 93 years of not having a gallery to call our own,” said Karen Koegel, president of the GFAA.
“A lot of work by a lot of committed people went into bringing the GFAA Gallery together, and I am proud to be President of this incredible association.”
The GFAA Gallery is located at 1314 South Main Street, across from the relocated Doris Bardon Community Cultural Center (which is temporarily closed for construction). “Love & Compassion” is a themed exhibit judged by local businessman and art enthusiast Hector Puig.
Puig awarded the “Keith Perry Best in Show Award” to Alfred Phillips for his lifelike painting titled 43rd and Newberry. In following the exhibit’s theme, the acrylic painting shows a man helping an elderly woman cross the busy intersection in west Gainesville.
“I have chosen Mr. Phillips’ painting for Best in Show not only because the work stands out as a piece with visual weight, but it utilizes the surface to its full potential and simultaneously captures the true essence of the title of the exhibition,” Puig said in his judging notes.
Phillips, the GFAA gallery director, said the painting is a composite of photographs and that the woman being helped across the street is none other than his mother, Lorraine, now 95 years old.
Artist Frank Curtis, who happens to be the coordinator for Artwalk, was presented with the “April and Scott Schroeder Award of Excellence” for his suitcase assemblage titled Love and Friendship. Curtis uses found objects, lights and touch of a brush to create his one-of-a-kind, 3-D pieces.
Other GFAA award winners were Marion Hylton (Summer Fun), James Bates (Todd), Michael Zietz (Hurt Dancer) and Jacquelyne Collett (The Difference Between).
The “Love & Compassion” exhibit continues through Feb. 21. The gallery will host monthly themed shows open to all GFAA members. Next month’s theme is “Human Image.”
“I want the GFAA Gallery to celebrate and promote the creative expression of Gainesville and North Florida artists, from emerging to established artists, and to introduce them to the community and beyond,” Phillips said.
The GFAA has a busy calendar ahead. On Sunday (Jan. 31), from 3-5 p.m., the GFAA hosts a closing reception at Santa Fe Community College’s Presidents Hall Gallery for its “Dudley Farm Paintout” exhibit. On Friday, Feb. 5, the GFAA and Friends of Elementary Arts host their 7th annual “Musical Chairs Fundraiser” from 7-9 p.m. at its South Main Street gallery. Also, the GFAA is preparing for its 9th annual Winter Fine Arts Fair at Tioga Town Center March 4-6.
For further info, visit the GFAA website.
Friday night’s Artwalk Gainesville can best be shown in photographs. We invite you to scroll down the gallery below to see some of the artists and their works, as well as other activities that took place.
GAINESVILLE DOWNTOWN,
Nice to see what is happening in Gainesville. So many places to visit. Very impressive.
Go Gators!