Touch the art, please! The St. Augustine Art Association recently celebrated the opening of the 17th Annual Tactile Art Show, an exhibit of all touchable art, with the presentation of artistic achievement awards.
Liz Canali won the Jean Wagner Troemel Best in Show prize for “Pinch Pots,” a kinetic felt sculpture. Inspired by small hand-built clay pots, the whimsical fiber piece captured the imagination of visiting students from Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind who created Braille signage for each work of art in the show.
The first place prize was given to Paul Slava for “Mr. Mercedes,” a mixed media assemblage he envisioned as an expression of healing. Second place was awarded to Alison McCauley for “Sleeping Woman Vase,” a figurative ceramic sculpture. Bonnie Eadie won third place for “Without a County,” a charming, yet thought-provoking fiber sculpture of refugees. Mary Rhopa La Cierra and her sewing bee friends won the Collaborative Achievement Award for “Something’s Fishy,” a large quilted underwater scene.
Honorable Mentions were given to Prachee Agrawal, Toni DeWitt, John Gamache, and Betty Morris Parker.
Jenny Hager, UNF Art Professor and founder of the Jacksonville Sculpture Walk, judged the exhibit, which consists of 50 pieces. “These artists who experimented with new materials and ideas to create art that connects with an often marginalized audience really rose to the challenge,” said Hager. “The exhibit is a beautiful, innovative and engaging experience.”
Sponsored by Vystar Credit Union, the Tactile Art Show is produced annually in partnership with Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and the International Art Beyond Sight movement to enhance art accessibility. Awards for the St. Augustine Art Association 2018-2019 exhibit season are sponsored by 97Park Realty.
The 17th Annual Tactile Art Show is on display through October 28. Gallery hours are noon to 4pm, Tuesday through Saturday and 2 to 5pm on Sunday. Admission is free. For information call the Art Association at (904) 824-2310 or go to www.staaa.org.