In the way of true champions, Eli Winston shared a toy from Winner’s gift basket with fellow award winner, Sienna who was much enamored with her gift from the get go. Sienna, who was the poster girl for the contest and is shown here with her famous photo and adoring mom.

Lest, we forget, the most rewarding aspect of the event is the nice check for Suncoast Humane Society that the  contest voting generates.  Claire Berton, Director of Outreach and Events was on hand to receive this year’s contribution and meet some of the entries.

Click on Contests and then the Raining Cats & Dogs” post to see the Gallery of all 20 participants.  Winners! every one.

Completed piece measures 15X15.  Frame is an Ashley Breakwater Blue (Nurre Caxton) and Gray mat.  Hats! off to the framer as well for such a superb execution.  This piece won first place in Collectors’ Gallery & Framery’s 2010 Annual Design Contest.  Though one judge remarked “I do not think I would ever want shark’s teeth, the design was inspired.”

July 22 Awards presentation was at Collectors’ Gallery & Framery with Café Venice providing refreshments and Michael Sharp on piano. Forty people in attendance with 2 of our 3 judges present.

Judges included Kathy Merlinger, Regional Rep for Designer Moulding, Peaches Haas, Founder and Owner of Collectors’ Gallery for 23 years and Von Boyd, also a former owner of Collectors’Gallery & Framery.

First Place Award went to Paddie Pezley for her re-design of her parents Shark’s Teeth collection. It was transformed from a “science project” look to an attractive and unique piece for her kitchen decor. Paddie won a $100 Gift Certificate for future framing at the Gallery.

SecondPlaceWinner was pastel artist, Ruth Hook Colby who framed her own art entitled “Figure Study”. Her prize was a $50 Gift Certificate towards future framing.

Third Place went to Dave Locke who did a masterful job framing a Collectors’ Gallery print of Marian Howard entitled “When We Meet”. $25 Gift Certificate awarded.

Fourteen exceptional participants in all with many present to applaud this year’s winners. Several more winning designs can be seen by clicking on art tips and/or frames. This contest is an annual event so make plans to enter next year for a little Summer Fun!

Submit your favorite pet photo doing what he or she does best with a brief description. The winner in number of votes will receive a “Pampered pet gift basket” with the 2 runner ups being framed by Collectors’ Gallery.

Bring your photo submission to Collectors’ Gallery & Framery at 114 Nokomis Avenue South in Downtown Venice or submit your entry to islandframer@daystar.net with “Raining Cats & Dogs” in the subject line. Please send your photo in .gif or .jpeg files only.

By submitting your photo, you will be giving us permission to publish. Photos may be picked up after August 20th. By stopping by the gallery.

Entry is FREE. Voting is a 10 cent donation to the Humane Society and will be matched in money and prizes by Collectors’ Gallery & Framery.

Judy Keeler recently browsed the gallery in search of the perfect art for her new digs on the Island of Venice. Enamored with an original watercolor of “Sea Grapes” by Ray Stoy, she requested a companion piece so artwork would be sized perfectly for her living room wall. After collaboration on color and subject, Ray produced a stunning lotus with waterlillies piece that was the perfect compliment. Judy then went to work designing the mat and frame combination. Results were sensational!

Ms. Howard expresses her love of humanity and nature and truly paints from her soul. Her paintings are in numerous private collections in countries such as Russia, Africa, Spain and throughout the United States. Her work also graces the walls of City Halls (Apopka, Fl. most recently), colleges and business offices.

Artist Statement

“I’ve been a visual water-color artist for more than 43 years, always giving my best, trying to give my PATRONS high quality, professionalism and great emphasis on originality, while taking pride in preserving my integrity. In my work, I give dignity and honor.

From the Southern exposure of my people in their everyday existence, to the roots of their African heritage, in their eyes tell a story of the past and present, of great joy and pain, with love in their hearts and always with a willingness to forgive.

I hope my work has been able to touch your soul, give you a sense of joy and pleasure, and enhance your life.

Painting has given me the greatest of satisfaction in being able to take a sheet of watercolor paper, paint and brush to create a piece of “Art” for Art’s sake. I will continue to create and dare to be different. For art has no color, it’s about what touches your soul…

I thank GOD each day for my gift and pray that I may continue to share it with the world, enhancing your home with my work…”

Pictures here are representative of a much larger body of work. The Gallery sells Marian’s images framed and will be glad to forward pictures of framed work on hand and/or frame to individual taste.

Gardening

The Lieder Theatre Company from Australia will present The Colour Play, directed by Chrisjohn Hancock.

Romania’s production of Shakespeare, I Love You comes from Wake Art Theatre. It is written and directed by Sorin Misiriantu.

Representing the United States is Delta Center Stage from Greenville, Mississippi with their production of Sanctified.

Israel will present the original drama,Sheket Hogegim.

Italy will present L’Ora della Perla (Blue Day) by Alessandro Corazzi.

Singapore’s Chinese Opera Institute will present the opera Painted Skin.

From the country of Georgia: GEORGIAN MODERN THEATRE CENTER will bring their play, AUSCHWITZ, by Devid Zane Mairowitz. Directed by Irakli Gogia.

Theatre Maneken of Russia will present William Gibson’s She Who Made The Miracle (The Miracle Worker).

Maguey (Cie Theatrale et Centre Culturel) from Lima, Peru will present Wili Pinto’s Inticha y el Pajaro Nubero (Inticha and the Cloud Bird).

Combining theatre, puppetry and the circus arts, Brazil’s entry is Circo Poeira, designed by Caio Stolai and Beto Lima.