Blog

Welcome to the kickoff exhibition of our 2025-2026 season!

Juror’s Statement

It is an honor and pleasure to serve as juror for this season’s opening exhibition, “Create ‘25”. How wonderful to have the new Herrig Art Center, with all its beautiful space to exhibit such a talent-rich show.

There is a distinct Florida vibe in many of the entries. I always enjoy seeing how artists interpret our Florida landscapes, seascapes, flora and wildlife. In this collection, the interpretations are fresh, devoid of cliché, and sometimes rendered in surprising media.

In a large exhibition, creative impact and an artist’s ability to evoke an emotional response are important. In making selections, I considered impact as well as technical skill and composition. Importantly, I always look for pieces that leverage the unique characteristics of the artist’s chosen media. Innovative use of materials was a big theme in this show, and it was generously displayed throughout the entries. I was particularly impressed by the innovation shown in textiles.
The award-winning entries share not only technical mastery but compositions that lean into strong abstract shapes. Whether its abstract or representational, 2-D or 3-D, the visual space is beautifully designed by this exhibition’s winning artists.

Enjoy the variety of approaches to organic and man-made subjects and the tender representations of the human form that are all present in “Create ‘25”. I know I did.

Sincerely,
Linda K. Wokoun

First Place

Raleigh Hotel Pool, Oil

Sheri Kaiman

This is a big impact painting with excellent technical rendering. Iconic mid-century Florida with a strong graphical quality. The round pool keeps the figures grouped and the foreground decking brings the viewer directly into the action. Each figure grouping seems to have a story in progress. Enjoyed spending time with this painting.

                          Second Place

Doiley Sea, Fabric

Debi Webb

There were several excellent textiles in this show. This one stood out to me because of its strong design, excellent value range and technical skill. Loved the creative use of lace to suggest sea creatures.

Third Place

Lucinda At The Playground, Watercolor

Deborah Zurawel

Love the watercolor technique in this one. Graphic shapes limited cool palette with complimentary accents. Great painting.

                          Equal Merit

The Time In Between, Oil

Jean Cormier

Small but mighty painting. One of the most emotionally evocative paintings in the exhibit. Excellent composition with limited number of value shapes and limited, moody palette.

Best in 3D

Derby Day, Ceramic

Artis Wick

Really enjoyed the organic quality of this piece. The muted colors and glazing were beautiful. The intricate organic patterns on the top were a delight.

Honorable Mention

Monday Morning, Acrylic & Handmade Paper

Liz Cole

Love the composition. Excellent display of contrasts. Lines and Shapes, Solids and patterns, full value range, complementary colors.

Honorable Mention

Big Birds, Watercolor

Gwen Kodad

Beautifully composed and executed painting. Nice use of a limited, somewhat analogous palette with the exciting dashes of red. Beautiful.

Honorable Mention

Bird Of Paradise, Mixed Media Assemblage

Traci Kegerreis & Gemma Hobbs

Innovative use of materials in a big impact work. Loved the abstract shapes used to create a semi-representational bird.

Maggie Bosco – Juror

Jurying this exhibition was a true honor and a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The variety of work submitted reflected not only a high level of technical skill, but also a great deal of heart, humor, and imagination. It was clear that artists embraced the theme in both literal and creative ways—from charming depictions of beloved pets to expressive interpretations of summer’s intensity. With so many strong entries, narrowing down the selections was no easy task, but it was a joy to spend time with each piece and see how uniquely each artist responded to the call.

First Place: “Walk Me”, Vilma Packard, Pastels

The first-place piece stood out to me immediately. The interpretation of summer heat through mood and color, rather than a literal setting, is a standout approach. The vibrant, saturated glow of the floor and the warm undertones in the pup’s fur created a beautiful contrast against the cool, soft shadows. That strong push and pull between warm and cool brought the entire piece to life. Add in the dog’s charming little snarl, and I could almost hear it thinking: “Get me my ice-cold Puppuccino.” It captured not just the look, but the feeling of summer heat in such a strong, playful way. This piece didn’t just illustrate the heat—it radiated it.

Second Place:  “The Dogs In The Mirror”, Stephen Brewer, Acrylic

While admiring the second-place painting, I found myself getting joyfully lost in the loose yet confident brushwork—it was painterly, expressive, and full of movement. More than just an image of three dogs at the beach, this piece conveyed a sense of play and adventure, brought to life not just through subject matter, but through dynamic brushstrokes and rhythm.

Third Place: “Endangered”, Jody Goldman, Oil

The third-place painting, a striking painting of a cougar, succeeds in conveying a powerful emotional moment – possibly one of defense, warning or confrontation. The tight composition and bold color dynamics make it feel both intimate and wild, creating a sharp, visual tension. That same sharpness echoed in the cougar’s teeth—a fierce and elegant symbol of intensity, like the sharp bite of heat itself. It was a powerful and commanding piece.

Congrats to the winners, and a heartfelt thank you to all the members and staff of the Herrig Center for the Arts for allowing me to participate in this captivating show!

Associate & Signature Members on display May 28 – Jun 27, 2025. To purchase call 941-746-2862

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Master Signature Artists on display May 28 – June 27, to purchase call 941-746-2862

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Evolution means the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form. Artists are asked to share their own interpretation of the concept of evolution. From one’s own artistic journey, to the very environment we inhabit, or to where we go from here. Bring us your best work and help us celebrate!

Juror Statement:

Judge’s opinions: I say these are my opinions because that is all that they are. I might have a little more art education than some people and I’ve created art throughout my long life and been lucky enough to win some awards (and now the BIG HOWEVER) however, that does not make my opinion any better than anyone else’s – it’s still just my opinion and everyone has the right to disagree with me. In all of the art shows that I’ve attended I have never agreed with all of the decisions that the judges have made. So, take solace if you didn’t win an award because every artist has gone through that experience and have fun making your own decisions on who should have won what award and who shouldn’t be in the show in the first place.

The quality and diversity of the show is outstanding. I was pleased to see fabric art well represented and the other two- and three-dimensional pieces are excellent. Be proud of your work and continue to be better than you were yesterday. The person you want to compete with is yourself – good luck. This is a great show put on by the best people at the best art center in Florida. And it’s only going to get BETTER.

Thank you, Gary Morgan

First Place, Daphne Rising, Bellamy Sorba, 1111 Plastic Grocery Bags

If you just read what was written about the second-place award winner, you must appreciate the first-place piece of exceptional work that was created by Bellamy. Think about the element of nature that she created and what she created it from. That alone is a powerful statement that should not be overlooked. A tree created from one of the most destructive elements to nature that man has ever created – plastic in the form of discarded grocery bags that pollute land, water and animals of all sorts including the human animal. Then to take that element and weave it into a fabric for creating an iconic symbol of nature – a tree, is inspired. Then the artist made it attractive with the finishing touches at the apex of the tree. That is excellent. Please keep up this work.
It is so good I have to encourage the artist to find more ways of creating three-dimensional work – perhaps without a supporting element inside of the piece. Possibly create the human form. On this piece the artist might consider using a finial of a hand made bird to create an apex incorporating nature. Please continue to be inspired and work.

Second Place, Hint of Spring, Bill Perry, Watercolor

You will have to excuse me concerning this man’s work. If a person appreciates watercolor talent they have to appreciate Bill’s body of work. I don’t have the privilege of knowing Bill except by his work. But I know that he only creates work that excels. He has two paintings in this show that serve as examples of his broad talents. One is a soft rendition of animals where many artists would have used hard edges. This snow scene is completely the opposite. Almost anyone would use softness to create the cold feeling of snow, but this artist used hard edges and makes it work exceptionally. I could offer all kinds of rules that Bill broke here but rules are made for critics. The beautiful exceptions to those rules are created by artists like Bill Perry.

Third Place, Sun Kissed, Reen Troy, Mixed Media

The explosion of color in the top half of this work plays off the darker element in the bottom half like opening your eyes in the bright sun after being in a dark room for hours. It can be interpreted as a strictly abstract design and be beautiful or imagined as a natural element of light overwhelming darkness in nature. The viewer is allowed to answer their own questions about the painting, and it will mean different things to different viewers. The white was used sparingly but beautifully to draw the viewer’s eye in and keep it in the painting. This is an excellent and yet relatively simple composition. Wonderful brush work. Well done.

Equal Merit, Nashiji Vase, Joe Amaral, Urishi Lacquer, Wood, and Galuchat

This piece immediately fascinates with its beautiful finish and questions that about its construction and weight. Its surface is thought provoking. It is a piece that would be fantastic in any collection. Seeing it in the sun or with lights reflecting from it would be enjoyable for any viewer. The artist might consider having the material on the inside rise above the sphere created by the “bowl” shape just to give it another dimensional element.

Best in 3D, Spiritual Growth: The Great Awakening, Dale Hellums, Mixed Media Sculpture

This is an ornate combination that can keep the viewer interested. It has many design elements that fit and yet confront each other as the title suggests. It shows an appreciation for multiple talents and craftsmanship. It might be better to not accompany the work with a description of the piece and its meaning. Let the viewer write their own story – it might be totally different and better for them.

Honorable Mention, Tin Woodsman, Michael Knapp, Acrylic This painting pushes the future into your face with a crooked smile. It is challenging to ignore and confronts the viewer head-on. It’s bold use of color and geometric shapes yells at the viewer and won’t let go. Everything about the painting is consistent in style, color, line and attitude. It’s style will likely have a small but dedicated following due to its boldness – that’s good for this work.

Honorable Mention, Thoughts, Debi Webb, Fabric

The front of this fabric art is intriguing with the face and the geometric shapes. It is the kind of art that you could study and never find all of the answers. Additionally, the artist’s attention to detail is exceptional. The back of the piece is as precise and beautiful as the front. It is truly a piece of art created by an artist that is taking a traditional craft into the world of art.

Honorable Mention, Symphony, Holly Snyder-Samson, Charcoal

Excellent use of subtle shading. I liked the nod to today’s life with the inclusion of earphones. There isn’t an overuse of blending. The marks that the charcoal made were left to stand on their own rather than blended into smears on the paper. I’d like to see a little more life in the eyes. They are somewhat vacant.

Honorable Mention, Wedding Night, Cheryl Moody, Oil

This was executed in a very painterly manner where the strokes are the artist’s signature made in her distinctive style. The strokes are strong and made with self-assurance rather than worried into a weak likeness of a photograph. The artist might consider some subtlety in the distant landscape to give the viewer the feeling of distance and possibly use complementary colors to create darker shades where needed.

It is both an honor and a heartfelt responsibility to serve as Awards Juror for this exhibition. I extend my sincere gratitude to all the artists who submitted their artwork. It takes courage and passion to share your creative vision with others.

In determining the award recipients, I carefully evaluated each piece against benchmarks of technical proficiency, compositional design, and the power of individual expression – qualities that transcend subject or style.

The Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society Exhibition is a celebration of artistic diversity, showcasing a remarkable array of styles, ability and voices. From realistic to abstract and everything in between, the range of artistic expression is both inspiring and expansive.

Congratulations to all the award winners for their ability to communicate compelling narratives and distinctive personal styles. You made me want to look further into your process of creation.

Finally, my heartfelt thanks to the FSWS Board, Committee Chairs, and volunteers for their dedication and hard work. Your commitment makes this celebration of art possible.

-Judy Salzman, Juror