Nature in all its glory was on display June 3, when the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach held opening receptions for two new exhibits.
The cultural center’s Main Gallery was the setting for the opening of the “Birds and Bees” exhibit featuring the sculptural work of Donald Martin and the abstract encaustic work of Jo Sinclair. Guests admired both artists’ works, which aimed to present the natural world in new and unexpected ways. Sinclair’s works, for example, incorporated beeswax -- a reflection of her role as the wife of a master beekeeper.
“Jo Sinclair has been instructing here (at the cultural center) for a very long time, while Don Martin is an instructor at Flagler College,” Development Director Toni Boudreaux said. “So they are really steeped in the St. Johns County artists’ community.”
Down the hall in the center’s Scene Gallery, meanwhile, the First Coast Pastel Society was holding the opening reception for its annual Member Show and Sale. A large crowd of artists and arts’ lovers mingled and admired works submitted for exhibit, which was juried by nationally known pastel artist Karen Margulis. And like the “Birds and Bees” exhibit, the pastel show’s works featured numerous artistic depictions of the natural world.
Boudreaux noted that the Pastel Society was one of the cultural center’s group members, whereby fellow arts organizations may hold meetings and exhibitions at the center. The Watercolor Society has a similar group membership arrangement, she noted.
“Many of their members take classes here at the cultural center, so it’s a really beneficial relationship for us to work with these artists,” she said. “We try to accommodate their needs.”
Both the “Birds and Bees” and Pastel Society exhibits will be on display at the cultural center through July 16.
