A diversity of art in one place

By MARY ANN MARGER, Times Art Critic

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 14, 2000

Jean Grastorf, Work Break, watercolor, 12 by 12 inches, in Arts Center members show

A BALANCE OF SHOWS -- The Arts Center opens a trio of new shows at a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 tonight and continues them through Aug. 23. On view are "A Balance of Elements," mixed media artists Susan Livingston and Cate Wyatt-Magalian; "Quilted Landscapes," four quilters from throughout the nation, including Suzanne Neusner of St. Petersburg; and "Twelve Cubed," a members' show in which no works exceed 12 inches in any direction. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free. 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; phone (727) 822-7872; Web site, http://www.theartscenter.org.

SCHOLARSHIP SHOW - Ten scholarship finalists, all seniors at area high schools, exhibit their winning works, opening at Merrick Gallery with a reception at 6 p.m. Saturday. The scholarship is a project of Merrick Gallery owner Cindy Williams, who raised money through Art to Art events. The show continues through July 30, from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Free. 330 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg; (727) 896-2787.

SNOOTY JUDY'S -- "Waterworks," featuring Sarasota area artists Karen Pauline, Anna D'Aste and Harry Fernald, opens with an artists' reception from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday and continues through Aug. 31 during gallery hours, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free; 514 Skinner Blvd. (State Road 580), Dunedin; (727) 734-9835; Web site, http://www.openmindart.com.

Around the nation

Faberge, Riverfront Arts Center, Wilmington, Del., Sept. 9 through Feb. 18. The third and final blockbuster organized by James E. Broughton borrows 1,000 objects from more than 30 collections. Broughton previously staged three shows at St. Petersburg's Florida International Museum. The Delaware group has settled a legal dispute with Broughton International, which had been contracted for a show a year for five years. Tickets go on sale Monday. Call (888) 395-0005 or buy them online at http://www.faberge-exhibition.com.

Fame game

Tierra Verde artist Sandra Williams is one of 23 finalists in the 2000 Arts for the Parks, a competition sponsored annually by the National Park Academy of the Arts in conjunction with the National Park Foundation. Her work was chosen from 1,200 entries. The grand prize, to be announced in September, is $50,000.

Ongoing and upcoming

July 22, 23 -- Cool Art Show. Thirteenth annual outside-in show of the Professional Association of Visual Artists. Free. Activity Center, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg; (727) 556-0550.