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Entertainment

The art of the waltz

The annual tour provides participants a chance to fill their dance cards with spins around artists' studios, homes and galleries.

By JILL PERRINO
Published September 16, 2005

The 14th annual Studio Waltz on Saturday once again gives visitors a chance to see more than 30 North Pinellas artists in their working environment, and, in some cases, their living environments, too.

Artists Carol Sackman and Blake White live in a brightly colored home in Dunedin where every inch of wall, floor, and furniture - even the phones - are embellished with painted designs, mosaics and found objects.

Many of their creations, including painted furniture, mosaic stepping stones, birdbaths and hangings, will be for sale. But even those not in the market to buy a piece are welcome to come look at the art.

"It's fun to see people's reactions," said White.

Sackman said it's a pleasure to inspire visitors to get excited about art, motivated to try something themselves or maybe take a class.

Roger Bansemer's one-and-a-half acre wooded "village" on Alligator Creek in Clearwater includes his home, studio, building for framing, antique caboose guest house and train depot wood workshop, all nestled in dense foliage. They help inspire many of Bansemer's "Florida Landscapes" works, many of them available Saturday at lowered prices, since Bansemer is trying to downsize.

Palm Harbor artists Barbara and Ira Burhans live in a specially designed raised, two-story, wood home with a studio for Barbara's paper casting upstairs and one for Ira's pottery downstairs. With walls of turquoise, moss and cappuccino, its pottery and mosaic edged garden and the tastefully displayed artwork, it is unmistakably the home of artists.

"Art is our work. Art is our lives. It is part of our psyche," said Ira Burhans. Both he and his wife will demonstrate their work on Saturday.

The nine stops on this year's waltz include a wide range of artists representing just about every form of art, from silk-painting and papermaking to stone carving and metal sculpting.

Some artists will offer demonstrations, refreshments, special sale items and at least one will be offering a hands-on opportunity for visitors to create their own art.

Loyd and Diane Jones will open up their waterfront home in Oldsmar to art lovers. Loyd and son Lee, 37, sculpt metal mirrors, tables, wall pieces and candle holders, among other items. Many of their works are inspired by the mangroves off their dock.

Diane, who makes handmade paper, will give demonstrations of her work, with the opportunity for visitors to make their own paper to take home.

"It's very addictive," Diane Jones said.

Silk painting artist Lois Rector, 93, who now lives in a Palm Harbor retirement home, is also inspired by her surroundings. Her works this year feature the many squirrels that live around the center.

Rector also plans to share silk-painting tips as well as give a demonstration. Long-time friend Maryellen Tully will join her with works of her own.

Pastel artist June Harben, who works and sells from her Dunedin gallery and studio, said she didn't become an artist until later in life, after her kids were grown. The inspiration for her vivid artwork comes from landscapes and tropical foliage, she said.

J. Harrison Smith Fine Art Gallery and Studios, in Clearwater, and Imago Art Group at Trailside in Dunedin, both offer visitors the opportunity to see the works of multiple artists at once.

J. Harrison Smith gallery artists will show works in bronze and metal sculpture, painting, silk-painting, mosaics and pastels. Smith's teaching studio offers a variety of classes that visitors will be able to sign up for.

Dunedin Fine Art Center also offers visitors a chance to see a wide variety of works in one stop. Ken Hannon, director of communications, hopes to bring in people who have never visited the Fine Art Center. The center's gift shop and newly designed children's hands-on museum also will be open.

"We are Tampa Bay's best kept secret," he said.

The 14th annual Studio Waltz is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free.

[Last modified September 16, 2005, 01:36:17]