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Arts & Entertainment

Brandon League of Fine Arts Hosts 1st Stay Cool Indoor Artfest

A steady stream of visitors came to see the show at Center Place's Mook Gallery.

Twenty-two local artists had works on display at Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Center, 619 Vonderburg Dr., Brandon, on Saturday, Aug. 6.

There was no prizes involved because it wasn't a judged show. The artists were to there sell their work and to promote the local art community in what the organizer, the Brandon League of Fine Arts, hopes will become an annual event called the Stay Cool Indoor Artfest.

Many mediums — oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel paintings, photography and even quilts — were represented. Each artist had different inspirations for their work.

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"My paintings are about emotion," said Elizabeth Kershaw, watercolorist and a full-time artist. "They are my passionate response to the beauty that I see in nature. The spirit figures that move within the pictorial space are my way of conveying this feeling."

Her 27-by-50-inch watercolor, "Swan Lake," won her the Best of Show at the Seventh Biennial National Art Exhibition in Punta Gorda. She's a member of The National Watercolor Society and the Florida Watercolor Society.

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Another artist drew influence and inspiration from elsewhere.

"My painting is about surrealism, said Steven Donovan, son of Bloomingdale artist and artfest chairwoman Doreen Donovan. "I deal with images, trying to tap into subconscious."

When he sees images in his head, he tries to reproduce them in his painting, he said, adding that he tries to express thoughts and feelings in abstract form. The price of his artwork ranges from $50 to $250.

Another artist's decision to pursue pastel was influenced mainly by her children.

"I began using pastels for their practicality," said Susan Jenkins of Bloomingdale. "I found that, with the busy role of being a mom and a business owner, the pastels were always patiently waiting for me and never dried up like oils or acrylics." In other words, it was user friendly for someone with children.

Her work is a reflection on nature: landscape and animals in pastels. She's been painting in this medium for nine years.

The walls displayed 50 works done by Bloomingdale artist Minnette Webster, whose exhibition, "," is on display throughout the month. An opening reception will take place on Thursday, Aug. 14, from 4-6 p.m.

The Brandon League of Fine Arts was established by a group of Brandon area artists and art lovers in 1959. The group is now celebrating its 52nd anniversary. For more information, visit blfa.us.

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