8th Annual Indian River Bird & Nature Art Show
October 3-29, 2022
The Pelican Island Conservation Society is sponsoring the eighth annual Indian River Bird & Nature Art Show in conjunction with National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 9-15, 2022. The event is centered at the Environmental Learning Center in Wabasso, with other activities taking place “in the field.” Be sure to get out and visit the Pelican Island NWR, or your favorite refuge during NWR Week, or anytime!
The National Wildlife Refuge Association, in celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week, produced Finding Refuge, a report that celebrates “… the National Wildlife Refuge System and the diversity of imperiled species that call it home, reveal critical threats to refuges and their wildlife, and look to the future of America's public lands network dedicated to our wildlife.”
This is a juried show and the artwork will be for sale, which supports the artists, PICS and the ELC - thank you for your support! The show is accessible during normal business hours at the ELC and their normal admission policy applies, with the exception of the Artists’ Reception and Featured Presentation on Friday, October 7th.
Judges this year include:
Karen Ekonomou, AKA Keko: Clay
Keko is an accomplished painter and ceramic artist, rediscovering clay about 16 years ago. She is quick to point out her imaginative and colorful paintings are now in the three dimension of clay. Growing up and living on the sunny coast of Florida, she often sculpts flamboyant marine characters that look as if they were plucked right from the shoreline then whimsically posed. “I find myself laughing at my silly sculptures. While making them I try and imagine how they ended up in this crazy position with such a puzzled look on their face.”
Keko is co-founder of Flametree Clay Art Gallery on 14th Avenue in Vero Beach, where she currently exhibits her fun and funky ceramic art, and her colorful birdbaths can be found in M. Maison on Ocean Drive and Costal Comforts in the Village Shops in Vero Beach Her past work has been featured in shops and galleries all along the eastern seaboard from Vermont to St. Croix.
Shelia Lougheed, Acrylic and Mixed Media
Majoring in Graphic Design from Western CT State College, I completed my undergraduate studies through Springfield College with a concentration on Human Services. I began my master’s in Art Therapy at The College of New Rochelle, and two years into my studies I was waylaid with my first (of many) colon cancer diagnoses. I was an Art Therapist with a cancer support group in CT, Ann’s Place. When I was ill I was a group member, when in remission I was their facilitator.
From CT, Manhattan, North Carolina, and Florida I have been invited to show my work through various galleries. Upon relocating to FL, under the tutelage of Frits Van Eeden, I have been gifted with many mural commissions, and private exhibits.
David LoPresti, Plein air
David is all about fun and it’s reflected in his artwork. The aeronautical industry has been part of his life since he was born. He has delved into the world of art, showing work at the Vero Beach Museum of Art and in a gallery on 14th avenue in Vero Beach. His pieces are now in several states adding design, joy, and culture to people’s homes. In 2021, the LoPresti Art Studio and Gallery opened. You can see David creating work there along with viewing the gallery.
"I love to find the hidden beauty in industrial and contemporary items and use them as the basis for my art. Especially when I can make people see our everyday world in a new light. When I use a manhole cover in my art people tell me that they now look at all of the manhole covers that they pass each day and it makes them appreciate the design like they never have before," said David LoPresti.
ELC is open 8-5 Mon-Fr and 8-4 on Sat and Sun the show is open during these hours and visitors are subject to entrance fee.
You can find out more by emailing debbieainvero@gmail.com or calling PICS at 772-202-0697 or emailing INFO@FIRSTREFUGE.ORG or calling ELC at 772-589-5050.
Additional information about the art show is available on the IR Bird & Nature Art Show Facebook page.
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