By Kathy Collins
The June exhibit in the Mook Gallery at Center Place in Brandon is a collection of artwork created by the artists in Studio Friday. The artists, Roxanne Tobaison, Doreen Donovan, Sue Allen, Betty Fairbanks, Anne Drewery and Susan Weilbacher, have been getting together since 1998 to create art, network and meet just like the old masters once did.
The current exhibit is titled, Splash of Color, Dab of Paint. According to Allen of Lithia, “All of the paint we use is water based. The title brings forth a great image.” The artists work in water soluble mediums including watercolor, acrylic, color pencils and collage on paper and canvas.
The ladies are great friends. Drewery, who lives in FishHawk Trails, said, “Getting together is helpful to one another. We get critiques and good advice from each other. When we first started talking about getting together, we used to go into Tampa and paint at TRA (Tampa Regional Art). We then thought why not Center Place? They had the space, and we have been coming ever since.”
Fairbanks of Thonotosassa said, “This gathering lets us get away from distractions and let’s us talk about and create art.”
Donovan of Riverview added, “We come with projects to work on and bounce ideas around that help make our art great.”
All of the artists are long time members and board members of Brandon League of Fine Arts. Three of them are teachers and all are serious about their art. Their seriousness is demonstrated in their many accomplishments and awards received.
The exhibit is fantastic. The artwork displayed is bright, colorful and stunningly beautiful. Each artist has their own unique concept and creative way of producing art. The exhibit will be on display through June. Center place is located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. In Brandon. For more information, visit www.centerplacebrandon.org.
