Retrospective Series: Panayotova, Jones, Cyrus.

 

In Retrospective: 2017 "Celebrating the Genius of Women" gallery walk with artist Vicki Jones. Orlando Public Library. Snapshot by Susan Torregrosa. 10-Year Retrospective Exhibition "Celebrating the Genius of Women" by Maria Guerrero, Founder & Exec. Director, Women in the Arts Inc. Thank you for joining us during the presentation of this series, covering fifty-eight participants in the Retrospective exhibition. These artists went through a multi-layered process of selection and final jury in the year they participated. It is my honor to have presented the continuing work of the artists featured in the physical and online exhibition, as we celebrate this milestone event in the history of Women in the Arts, Inc. I am thankful to the artists for their hard work, creativity, and inspiration in the midst of a pandemic we all hope to see come to an end soon. Please stay tuned until the end of the exhibition this month, for more behind the scenes moments and quotes by the artists. This final series includes works by Trayana Panayotova,Yambol, Bulgaria; Vicki Jones, Belle Isle, Florida; Zoraye Cyrus, Coconut Creek, Florida. "Somewhere in Space I" is part of a series Trayana created in 2020 in her new studio in the village of Bolyarsko, where the artist lives and works during the COVID-19 pandemic. These paintings mark an important departure for the artist in her journey. Looking at her natural surroundings, her search takes a new path. The "Somewhere in Space" series are experimental paintings, where the artist mixes paper, collage, and acrylics. The minimalist natural elements contain the essential characteristics of her environment and build a new composition, reaching for color. "The Right Shoe" For Vicki, this drawing of her great-niece donning a ballet shoe embodies innocence, beauty, and the growing-up process. The title whimsically refers to wearing a ballet slipper on either foot. The artist notes, Her shoe is always the "right" shoe. Vicki is mostly self-taught as an artist. Her realistic and sometimes surreal, works vary in subject matter. In her piece, "Convergence," Zoraye focuses on the identity of cultural displacement. The artist states: "Being an amalgamation of different cultural aspects, but still lacking connections to heritage, and people, removes you from your own community." This artwork, part of a series, addresses the difficulty of first-generation immigrants trying to balance their traditional culture with American culture. The artist's process involves combining old family photos from her parents’ home, St. Vincent and the Grenadines islands, with photos of her new life starting in Brooklyn, New York. By overlapping these photos to different degrees, she conveys the level of integration that her siblings, cousins, and herself have experienced. View the Digital Exhibition for more works by these artists, and all fifty-eight participants from Orlando and abroad. A collection of works by twenty-two local artists is on view at the Orlando Public Library until April 23. Enjoy the exhibition, connect with us and the artists on social media, and support us by sharing this message with your audience. ▪ View the full Digital Exhibition. ▪ Visit the Physical Exhibition at the Orlando Public Library, March 8-April 23. Acknowledgments Women in the Arts, Inc. thanks the participant artists, the Board of Directors, Advisory Board members, jury team, benefactors, individuals, and partners who have supported this event through the years, allowing us to create meaningful change in expanding the visibility, opportunity, and importance of the contributions of women artists. We especially acknowledge: The Orlando Public Library, The Mennello Museum of American Art, The Orlando Museum of Art, United Arts, The West Orange Foundation Leadership Alumni, Studio T Photography. MAKE A GIFT TO WOMEN IN THE ARTS We thank all supporters of Women in the Arts' programs ©2021 Women in the Arts Inc. | 7512 Dr. Phillips Blvd. | Suite 50-635 | Orlando, FL 32819

Retrospective Series: Jovanovska, Taylor, Thomas, De Nijs.

 

In Retrospective: 2019 Art Reception. Artist Xiomara Aleksic with Victoria Guerrero. Orlando Public Library. Photo credit, Angel Lalumondier. 10-Year Retrospective Exhibition "Celebrating the Genius of Women" by Maria Guerrero, Founder & Exec. Director, Women in the Arts Inc. This series presents works by Petra Jovanovska from Jesenik, Czech Republic; Phyllis “Pannet” Taylor, Chuluota, Florida; Phyllis Thomas, Belle Isle, Florida; Sandra de Nijs, Ft. Worth, Texas. In "Postponed Joy," Petra imprints her thoughts, emotions, and a worldview, in a grid of circles using mixed paper media and drypoint printing. The artist associates the circle with the mother's womb, the fetus, the seed, the cell: "A circle has no beginning, no end, no corners, no pages. It does not limit, although it gives form. In it and outside of it, everything is in motion, it is also the zero from which everything starts and to which everything eventually returns. It calls for action, symbolizes time cycles, the movement of planets around the Sun, totality, fulfillment, focus, togetherness, perfection, revolution, and evolution. Psychologically speaking, the circle allows us to imprint ourselves, that is, our "I", into one universal, boundless scheme of the universe and, thus, to equate ourselves with all living beings, even all that surrounds us." "Minona" Phyllis "Pannet" Taylor portrays strong women in her paintings. The artist says: "Minona represents the Goddess of Prophecy and protector of women for the people of Benin, Africa. Minona uses her power to divine an infant's destiny and protects the child until adulthood." Phyllis Thomas made "Qumran Eleven Unearthed Evidence II" in response to her research on the 1947 discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. It speaks to digging deep and finding fragments of the papyrus scrolls, then putting them back together for evidence the Scripture is real and true. Lines and marks represent the Hebrew and Aramaic words and the stitching references the piecing together of the ancient scrolls. The gold leaf accents speak to the purity of God's word. "Aurora Borealis" Sandra recounts: "I combined two of my favorite things, ducks that I remember from my childhood in the Netherlands, and the amazing aurora borealis." View the Digital Exhibition for more works by these artists, and all fifty-eight participants from Orlando and abroad. A collection of works by twenty-two local artists is on view at the Orlando Public Library until April 23. Enjoy the exhibition, connect with us and the artists on social media, and support us by sharing this message with your audience. ▪ View the full Digital Exhibition. ▪ Visit the Physical Exhibition at the Orlando Public Library, March 8-April 23. Acknowledgments Women in the Arts, Inc. thanks the participant artists, the Board of Directors, Advisory Board members, jury team, benefactors, individuals, and partners who have supported this event through the years, allowing us to create meaningful change in expanding the visibility, opportunity, and importance of the contributions of women artists. We especially acknowledge: The Orlando Public Library, The Mennello Museum of American Art, The Orlando Museum of Art, United Arts, The West Orange Foundation Leadership Alumni, Studio T Photography. MAKE A GIFT TO WOMEN IN THE ARTS We thank all supporters of Women in the Arts' programs ©2021 Women in the Arts Inc. | 7512 Dr. Phillips Blvd. | Suite 50-635 | Orlando, FL 32819

Retrospective Series: Carmona, Merlin, Belle, Daum.

 

In Retrospective: 2014 Celebration. Gallery walk with artist Hope Lugo. Orlando Public Library. 10-Year Retrospective Exhibition "Celebrating the Genius of Women" by Maria Guerrero, Founder & Exec. Director, Women in the Arts Inc. In this series, I am thrilled to present works by Maruchi Carmona, from Miami, Florida; Mia Merlin, Savannah, Georgia; Mila Belle, Orlando, Florida; Pamela Z. Daum, Kent, Ohio. Inspired by a dream in which a dove appeared, Maruchi began the "Pandemic" series of paintings. "A Transcendent Reality" is part of this series. The artist recounts: "During the first few months of isolation, it was challenging to get inspired by my surroundings. The difficulties of everyday rituals were discombobulated. My mind made me look deeply inward to make sense of the anguish, the sadness, and the fear of the unknown by transforming sad, negative feelings into hopeful endeavors. It was the only way to get inspiration from those feelings, an outpour describing the difficult times we are in." Mia painted "Public Fountain" from a photograph she took. During a trip to New York, her daughter was playing in a fountain with other kids, joining with whoever was around. The artist reflected that not so long ago, it was illegal in some places for children of different races to share a pool or a drinking fountain: "The spouts of water seemed like specters from the past, still present; the cruelties they were born into, that they are forced to navigate, robbing them on some level of their innocence. But the water is also dancing and flowing, a physical manifestation of basic shared joys, and connection." Mila's sculpture, “Owl Spirit” conveys the essence of an owl. The owl is a creature that is respected and regarded for its superior sight, hearing and silent flight that makes it an excellent hunter. Many traditions honor the owl as a symbol of wisdom and it is often associated with a feminine aspect and mystery. Mila expresses her view of the owl as a symbol of a powerful divine feminine, one that has entered the age of spiritual wisdom. “Pictured Rocks 211” About this photograph, Pamela describes: "As most, likely all artists, I was starting a project when the pandemic struck. In the fall of 2019, I embarked on a journey to visit and record images from National Parks. I managed to make it to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where I captured 'Pictured Rocks 211,' a perspective of a cove in the Picture Rocks National Lakeshore at Munising, Michigan. Continuing this journey is something I look forward to when it is once again safe to travel." View the Digital Exhibition for more works by these artists, and all fifty-eight participants from Orlando and abroad. A collection of works by twenty-two local artists is on view at the Orlando Public Library until April 23. Enjoy the exhibition, connect with us and the artists on social media, and support us by sharing this message with your audience. Happy Easter! ▪ View the full Digital Exhibition. ▪ Visit the Physical Exhibition at the Orlando Public Library, March 8-April 23. Acknowledgments Women in the Arts, Inc. thanks the participant artists, the Board of Directors, Advisory Board members, jury team, benefactors, individuals, and partners who have supported this event through the years, allowing us to create meaningful change in expanding the visibility, opportunity, and importance of the contributions of women artists. We especially acknowledge: The Orlando Public Library, The Mennello Museum of American Art, The Orlando Museum of Art, United Arts, The West Orange Foundation Leadership Alumni, Studio T Photography. MAKE A GIFT TO WOMEN IN THE ARTS We thank all supporters of Women in the Arts' programs ©2021 Women in the Arts Inc. | 7512 Dr. Phillips Blvd. | Suite 50-635 | Orlando, FL 32819

Retrospective Series: Tsitsela, Smith, Minichiello, Bates.

 

In Retrospective: 2015 Celebration. Meet the Artist Reception: Phyllis "Pannet" Taylor and guests. Orlando Public Library. PC: Elena Chow. 10-Year Retrospective Exhibition "Celebrating the Genius of Women" by Maria Guerrero, Founder & Exec. Director, Women in the Arts Inc. This series showcase works from: Katerina Tsitsela from Thessaloniki, Greece; Katty Smith, New Smyrna Beach, Florida; Kim Minichiello, Windermere, Florida; Laura Bates, Maitland, Florida. In her search for ultimate truth, Katerina explores in her painting "Untitled," her perception of internal landscapes or landscapes of the human soul. The artist works with dark colors and subtle tones gradually transformed by light, illuminating space and figures in this journey. In 2020, Katty made a transition from sculpture to abstract painting incorporating characteristics of her sculpting approach and translating her experience into a new art form full of color, detail, and texture as in "The Looking Glass" painting. Kim has a deep affinity for Japanese culture: its cuisine, customes design traditions, textile arts, and horticulture. When she traveled to Kyoto one year during the cherry blossom season, she fulfilled a long-held dream to see the Miyako Odori, a rare public performance by maiko and geiko ("geisha"). In Minichiello's watercolor, “Miyako Odori," she paints three maiko from the dance ensemble. In her painting "Cypress Retreat," Laura drew inspiration from the sunset colors reflected in a cypress swamp in Florida. View the Digital Exhibition for more works by these artists, and all fifty-eight participants from Orlando and abroad. A collection of works by twenty-two local artists is on view at the Orlando Public Library until April 23. Enjoy the exhibition, connect with us and the artists on social media, and support us by sharing this message with your audience. Happy Women's History Month! ▪ View the full Digital Exhibition. ▪ Visit the Physical Exhibition at the Orlando Public Library, March 8-April 23. Acknowledgments Women in the Arts, Inc. thanks the participant artists, the Board of Directors, Advisory Board members, jury team, benefactors, individuals, and partners who have supported this event through the years, allowing us to create meaningful change in expanding the visibility, opportunity, and importance of the contributions of women artists. We especially acknowledge: The Orlando Public Library, The Mennello Museum of American Art, The Orlando Museum of Art, United Arts, The West Orange Foundation Leadership Alumni, Studio T Photography. MAKE A GIFT TO WOMEN IN THE ARTS We thank all supporters of Women in the Arts' programs