PRESS RELEASE

FEBRUARY 2022

Florida School of the Arts presents “Reclamation” by Floridian artists

Face by Walter Lara — “Face” by Walter Lara

Chop by Walter Lara — “Chop” by Walter Lara

Artwork influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and created by a range of Floridian artists will be showcased in “Reclamation,” an exhibition opening on February 17 at the Florida School of the Arts (FloArts) located on the Palatka campus of St. Johns River State College (SJR State). The exhibit opens with a gallery reception from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., with a number of contributing artists present. Free and open to the public, “Reclamation” closes on March 31. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and during main stage performances.

Florida artists were invited to contribute to “Reclamation” by addressing the following questions:

How did you recover, make use of, or reclaim your time and energy while in isolation over the course of the last two years?
Did you meditate, pray, exercise, or in other ways try to connect with your own interior world (and support yourself from the anxiety of the exterior world)?
How did that inform your work? How did the pandemic shape your daily practice and how did it change?

Artists were invited to submit up to three pieces of original artwork, including painting (oil, acrylic, collage, watercolor and mixed media), drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, metalsmithing, glass, digital media, video, printmaking, fiber or textiles.

SJR State professor Walter Lara submitted photography. Lara refers to his contributions as “inspiration imagery, an abstract or illusion of reality by a process of previsualization,” adding, “During the pandemic, I had to adapt my photography work to the circumstances, distancing, masking, traveling regulations and the like. I meditate on a regular basis, so that always helps to overcome obstacles and prepares your mind to have a fresh look at the creative process, imagine and see the world as it is.”

Works from the following artists will be featured in “Reclamation:” Jenny Hamilin Barnes, Trevor Dunn, Jenny K. Hager, Veronika Jenke, Jason John, Erika Judson, Tammy Lane, Walter Lara, Chuck Marsh, Russell Maycumber, Camren Meier, Patrick Moser, Jenna Ogin, Sara Pedigo, Jeannette Pittelkow, Leslie Robison, Jason Schwab, Hannah Stepanek, Ricky Weeks, Michelle Wilcox, Brennan Wojtyla and D. Lance Vickery.

Serving the entire state of Florida, FloArts is part of the academic and administrative structure of SJR State and awards associate degrees in acting, dance performance, musical theater, stage management, theater technology, graphic design/new media and studio art. Admission is based on an audition or portfolio review, an interview with the faculty and admission to SJR State.

For more information about Florida School of the Arts, call 386-312-4300 or visit FloArts.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Artwork created by a range of Floridian artists and influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic will be showcased in “Reclamation,” opening on February 17 at Florida School of the Arts. The exhibit opens with a gallery reception from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

“Floral Fungi” by Hannah Stepanek

“Dry Dock” by Veronika Jenke

MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Kessler
Director of Public Relations and Publications
(386) 312-4021