There were plenty of opportunities for art enthusiasts to view and purchase some outstanding works by local artists during the 36th annual Art by the Sea Exhibition presented by the Vero Beach Art Club at the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
The event kicked off with a bustling Friday evening reception, where artists happily discussed their various techniques and styles with the patrons, and the three-day exhibit continued throughout the weekend.
For the third year, the event took place in the Laura and Bill Buck Atrium, where ample natural lighting showed off the works of some 220 artists to their best advantage.
Participants, members of the art club and/or the museum, were again allowed to enter one piece of artwork, which translates to the artists offering up some of their very best pieces. Works were to have been completed within the last two years and not exhibited at a previous Art by the Sea.
“Our membership has grown so much, so that gave us some new artists,” said Paulette Visceglia, event co-chair with Judy Rixom and Sherry Haaland.
Unlike a juried show, applications are accepted on a first come basis in categories that included Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Pastel/Graphics, Sculpture/3D/Ceramics, Mixed Media, Jewelry, Photography and Fiber Art.
“So once we get what we can house comfortably in the space to have a decent show, we cut it off,” Visceglia explained.
The show is judged though, and this year that task fell to Nancy Dillen, a Melbourne-based artist and arts educator who has also judged the VBAC’s highly regarded Under the Oaks Fine Arts and Crafts Show.
“I would really like to thank the community for supporting the arts. The sales were double that of last year; it was phenomenal,” said Visceglia.
“We sold like 25 percent of the show, and one of them was mine, so that made me happy.”
As with Under the Oaks, members of the VBAC assist as volunteers in a variety of capacities, including hanging the show, greeting visitors, managing the silent auction of donated items from local businesses, helping with sales of the artwork and, during the reception, passing out hors d’oeuvres and serving wine.
“Over the whole weekend, I’d say we had about 48 different people there,” said Visceglia.
In addition to their major fundraisers, classes, workshops and exhibits take place at their Gallery and Marketplace on 14th Avenue in the Downtown Arts District.
Event proceeds benefit the Vero Beach Art Club Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships towards degrees in fine arts to local high school students.
This year’s 74th Annual Under the Oaks will take place March 7-9 at Riverside Park. For more information, visit VeroBeachArtClub.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
