VISUAL ARTISTS HOLD TALKS AT AREA ART CENTERS
The Hermitage Artist Retreat will partner with two area art centers this month to present talks by two of its artists-in-residence, as part of their community give-back program. On Tuesday, March 15th, Jane Fine will speak about her work on exhibit at the Englewood Art Center, 350 S. McCall Road, Englewood beginning at 5:00 pm. This will be followed by a reception with the artist at 6:00. The following week, on Monday, March 21st, Sadie Barnette will speak about her work at the Venice Art Center, 390 S. Nokomis Avenue in Venice, beginning at 11:00 am. Both programs are free and do not require reservations. Questions about the programs should be directed to the art centers, Englewood Art Center, 941-474-5548 or Venice Art Center,
“We are very excited to present these two visual artists at area art centers,” remarked Bruce E. Rodgers, executive director. “Many more people will now be introduced to Jane and Sadie and their inspiring work. Our community programs are always interesting as they provide an opportunity for our art savvy community members to see what is being done outside of our area. These two artists offer especially interesting and unique work.”
Jane Fine’s drawings and paintings have been exhibited throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. She often combines acrylic and ink, as well as oil to create her detailed, abstract art. In a 2010 article in Art in America, she was described as “a brainy artist, …well-versed in the dialogue between abstraction and figuration, and keen to participate in it.” She received her B.A. from Harvard University and her M.A. from Tufts University. In addition to the Hermitage residency, her many other awards include fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and twice from the New York Foundation for the Arts, residencies from Yaddo, Cite Internationale des Artes and Central City Artist Project in New Orleans. She is a sought-after adjunct professor who has taught at some of the best schools, including RISD, Vassar, Skidmore and the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Mass.
Sadie Barnette works in photography, drawing, installation art and bookmaking. Her subject matter is often derived from where she is at the moment and what she sees around her. Her inspiration is found in things and moments that might appear ordinary, but to her become extraordinary. Originally from Oakland, CA, Barnette received her B.F.A from CalArts and her M.V.A from University of CA, San Diego. She was the Artist-In Residence at Studio Museum in Harlem in 2015. Her work has been exhibited throughout California, Washington D.C., Miami and NYC. Among her grants and fellowships is the Diversity Fellowship Award from U of CA, San Diego and the Undergraduate Multicultural Scholarship from the Getty Center in Los Angeles.
“Anyone interested in visual art will want to attend these programs,” commented Patricia Caswell, Hermitage co-founder and program director. “Jane and Sadie are two very different and talented artists whose work will excite, challenge and inspire you.”
The Hermitage is a not-for-profit artist retreat located at 6660 Manasota Key Road in Englewood, FL. It invites accomplished painters, sculptors, writers, playwrights, poets, composers and other artists from all over the world for residencies on its beachfront historic campus. Artists are asked to contribute two services to the community during their stay and as a result, Hermitage artists touch thousands of Gulf Coast community residents with unique and inspiring programs each year. All Hermitage community programs are partially sponsored by the Women’s Exchange and the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. In addition, the Hermitage awards and administers the prestigious Greenfield Prize, an annual $30,000 commission for a new work of art, rotating among three disciplines: visual art, music and drama. The Hermitage also partners with the Aspen Music Festival and School to award the annual Hermitage Prize to a composition student during the Festival. For more information about The Hermitage Artist Retreat, call 941-475-2098 or visit the website at www.HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
