arts Art in 2020: A Community of Inspiration By Lynn Taylor
Margo Dalgetty
MARGO DALGETTY
Margo Dalgetty’s painting from the
class she took with artist Deb Weiers. During the past year I took two online art classes from Canadian artist Deb Weiers. I love her wonky people and creatures and I wanted to enhance my own quirky style. I’ve learned new techniques and discovered new mediums, both of which I’ve added to my art repertoire. Brenda McMahon My 10-month-old business was shut down for two months by COVID-19. I
celebrated my one year anniversary in isolation. I was just beginning to feel my groove in The Gallery when the doors were shuttered. So for 2020, my greatest inspiration has been our art-loving community and the support they have shown me and The Gallery. My clients are a huge part of that. Leslie and Mark Rickerson were the first to stand by me just as the pandemic shut us down, but they were not the last. Susan Connolly asked me to create what I wanted and said she would love whatever it was. I have been fortunate enough to have a long list of people who supported the arts and, thus, artists. At The Gallery I have held the light of inspiration and beauty in the forms of my 13 artists, all of whom I love and respect. The power of community, belief, determination has inspired me most in 2020.
John Gascot
Jila Davoodi Every person, young or old, flourishes through encouragement and support. Shortly after moving to Gulfport, I was introduced to the ArtJones group. The founder, Brenda McMahon, and the group’s members were very welcoming and supportive. This was a huge inspiration for me as an artist in a new community. Specifically this year, organizations such as ArtJones, Gulfport Merchants Chamber and Carroway + Rose, as well as Gulfport’s art-loving community, have been a source of inspiration and encouragement for me. The turnout of art lovers for exhibitions has also been very inspiring. I am so lucky to be living in this community. As for what inspired me to paint what I painted, it was the “bad news” year. From corona to social injustice unrest, this was a challenging year for everyone. Friends and relatives were
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hurting. I used my art and painted to distract myself from focusing on all the bad news and pain. My art was an outlet for me. My piece called “Grief and Compassion” was the start of the several pieces I did this year.
JOHN GASCOT
Over the past year, I’ve interviewed many talented local artists and was impressed by their work. I was inspired by their vision and the ways in which they used their art to promote healing, beauty, a sense of much-needed fun and social change. But what I’ll remember most about the artists I spoke with in 2020 is the way they found innovative ways to support themselves, each other and their community. Some of them shared their stories about what – or who – inspired them during an unprecedented year.
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John Gascot’s mural for the League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area.
This year I was inspired by the current sociopolitical climate and the need for change. I was also motivated to bring joy to others in the midst of such a challenging year. Paula Roy Living in Gulfport I can especially appreciate outdoor living and the beauty that surrounds us. For the past 10 months I have produced a number of plein air and home studio pieces. My influences often come from my Zoom group studio time with my Gulfport mentor and teacher, Jack Providenti. We have used much of this time exploring color theory, composition, techniques and various skills to expand the approaches we bring to our painting. I have been very grateful for the time this pandemic has given me to slow down, practice and integrate these pearls of painting wisdom. Larry Busby There are so many people and organizations that inspired me, it’s
theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021
