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Art lovers who think small are invited to the International Miniature Art Show.
By EILEEN SCHULTE
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 22, 2003
LARGO -- Every year, the International Miniature Art Show inspires awe -- and endless disbelief.
Artist Kay Petryszak said dubious visitors often stand in front of the postage stamp-size paintings on display, study them with magnifying glasses and make the same comment:
Oh, that's a photograph that's been shrunken down, Petryszak overhears them say.
Minds are changed when they see the demonstrations.
They are real and will be on display at the Gulf Coast Museum of Art in Largo during the Miniature Art Society of Florida's annual International Miniature Art Show.
The show started Sunday, and is occupying three galleries within the facility. Largo is hosting the annual show for the first time in a decade.
"We're very excited to have this exhibit of truly exquisite miniature works coming from several countries," said Ken Rollins, the museum's executive director. "It (miniature art) certainly has an audience. It's quite an old art form that is in a revival."
Kings and others in high society often commissioned miniature portraits of their loved ones as portable keepsakes. But "Art in Little," as it is known historically, almost died with the invention of photography in the 1800s.
Now it is gaining popularity.
"We have nearly 500 artists worldwide," said Petryszak, the Miniature Art Society of Florida vice president of public relations.
Eight hundred-seventy tiny works by 273 artists will be on display at the society's annual show through Feb. 2. The artists come from England, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, ba, the Czech Republic, Iran, Lithuania and South Africa among others.
And one from Pinellas Park.
Laura Von Stetina's work, Chance Encounter, a painting of one of her mythical creatures she calls "Flittens," was purchased by the society this year for $1,200 for its permanent collection.
"It's many artists dream to be in the permanent collection," Petryszak said.
Von Stetina, who runs a studio with her artist husband, Bruce, who makes small (8 by 8 by 8-inch) figurines, she said she chose to paint miniatures because "every artist has a size they feel comfortable with."
"Some people paint on huge canvases," said Von Stetina, who has been painting miniatures since 1993.
The medium she selected is certainly a challenge.
"People are amazed to see the fine detail," said Petryszak. "And the statement the artist can make in such a small space."
Visitors will have a chance to see which paintings won the top awards ($20,000 in prize money was given out). They include Dean Mitchell from Overland Park, Kan., who won the Richard Baumgardner Best of Show award for his work, Toni.
"He used to work for Hallmark cards," said Petryszak.