Art Invasion- The Guys and The Gals
Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery
Part II – The Gals
June 17, 2011 6 -9 PM
A new wave of artists has invaded Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery bringing with them Down to Earth works that reflect Florida’s abundance of vegetation and wildlife. The Guys and the Gals create works that show strength of design and skill that has already attracted an appreciative audience. The work is both decorative and functional. This allows for patrons to live with and use “one of a kind” art creations as part of their daily routine. Part II- The Gals takes place on Friday evening, June 17 from 6-9 PM at Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery, 605 Lake Avenue in Downtown Lake Worth. There will be a wine and cheese reception.
Lake Worth artist Lee Mortensen has recently moved around the corner from the gallery. For many years she had a successful gallery business in Key West. Her finely made stained glass creations, mosaics, panels, suncatchers and architectural installations are now prominent in Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery. She loves the way different types of glass react with each other. Sometimes glass combinations alone inspire a design.” Being a bit of a perfectionist”… some of her bright colorful sea life and nautical pieces can take 3 to 4 months to complete to her satisfaction.
Boca Raton artist Mary Catello and Boynton Beach artist Teri Salomni are a mother-daughter team who collaborate on sculptures and basketry woven from the leaves, grasses, reeds and the many gifts nature abundantly discards during its growing process. Adding to their creations are wooden finials created by wood turner Teri. Mary began to experiment with local plants and trees that could be transformed into art. The material, the preparation and the art form have made Mary acutely aware of the green movement to save the planet. With each woven sculpture she hopes to pass along a “think green” message. Teri became inspired by her mother’s passion for weaving sculptures from natural resources found locally. She embraced this new medium and start creating her own sculptures. “It’s great when someone says they love my sculptures and I can say it’s created from palm fronds found in your yard. I love working on this project with my Mom.”
Lake Worth Artist Kathleen Kirschner also uses nature’s discards as her found objects in creating wonderful whimsical sculptures which she displays alongside her brother Rick Cohen’s works. Her swans, lizards and hybrid creatures have been snapped up by afficianados of her designs. Kathleen’s paintings on silk hang in the gallery. A talented seamstress and designer, Kathleen will be bringing a line of Art Clothing to the gallery in the near future. With her brother Rick, Kathleen vocalizes and harmonizes showing off another side of her multi-faceted talents.
Boynton Beach artist Madeline Gallo brings yet another aspect of ceramic sculpture to the gallery. From monumental lawn sculptures to ceremonial wall hangings Madeline uses a red clay base that she selectively glazes. A veteran of decades of cooperative galleries Madeline’s works reflect another aspect of the earthy talents of all of the newest gallery artists. The figurative sculptures invite both indoor and outdoor settings; many require group installations. They are reflective of the larger megaliths of the ancients as well as an accompaniment to the grasses, reeds and toadstools that spring from the earth.
A wine tasting, courtesy of artist and wine broker Barbara Eden takes place at every opening.
Clay Glass Metal Stone Cooperative Gallery is sponsored by the Flamingo Clay Studio, a non-profit arts organization whose mission is to provide affordable studio and gallery space for three-dimensional artists. The gallery is located at 605 Lake Avenue in downtown Lake Worth. Hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 1PM-9PM. Gallery openings are the first and third Friday of each month from 6-9 PM. For information call 561-588-8344 or visit website Clayglassmetalstone.com.
