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 ABOUT ISLAND GALLERY WEST
Established over 20 years ago by a small core group of local artists on Florida's Anna Maria Island, our gallery has evolved
into a successful artists' cooperative of nearly thirty members. We offer paintings, photographs, mixed media, ceramic arts, stained glass,
furniture, pottery, basketwork, decorative tiles, jewelry, notecards and more. The works of a different artist are featured each month.
The gallery is staffed six days a week by member artists who welcome the opportunity to discuss their art with you. Stop by for a pleasant, relaxing visit and enjoy
the many fine works of art on display in two exhibit areas. You’ll discover all the variety and visual
stimulation of an art festival in a pleasant gallery setting.
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HOW TO JOIN ISLAND GALLERY WEST
Interested in Becoming an Exhibiting Member?
From time to time we have openings for new artists to exhibit in the gallery. We encourage local
artists and artisans, craftspeople, photographers, jewelry makers and other creative people to contact
us about membership. We use a jury process to select new members.
or telephone: 941-778-6648 for more information
Island Gallery West was very pleased to be voted Best Art Gallery of 2013 at The Islander newspaper's recent
Best of AMI Awards event on April 25. Thank you Islander readers!
Happy New Year from Island Gallery West!
Island Gallery West artists gathered to prepare for a New Year of offering creating local, original, affordable art. Their new schedule of monthly public art receptions has been set as well as their schedule of free weekly Saturday morning art demonstrations which commence on Saturday, Jan. 5. The gallery is always staffed with a member artist who is knowledgeable in the techniques and portfolios of all the artists. Be sure to visit soon to enjoy a calm respite from the season's frenzy while you check out the newest art including oils, acrylics, watercolors, photography, jewelry, pottery, stained glass and fiber art.
Island Gallery West member artist "revelers" from the left, back row: Carole Dougherty, Terry Denson, Janice Campbell, Marlane Wurzbach, Don Pulver, Shirley Dean, Joe Fletcher, Nancy Law, Jane Keeling, Richard Stewart. Standing middle row from the left: Kathy Storm, Barbara Hines, Barbara Orear, Lee Mears, Nancy Faris. Front row from the left: Patricia Sorg, Debra Ridgdill, Dee Pastorius, Gloria Cropper, Cecy Richardson, Lois Harper and Pam McMillen. Absent members: Anne Abgott, Betsy Kennedy, Brenda Alcorn, Caroline Whitmore, Mariarosa Rockefeller, Roger Rockefeller.
May Featured Artist
This May Island Gallery West is featuring SHIRLEY DEAN's original acrylic paintings in an exhibit entitled "Coastal Views." Be sure to stop by the gallery for a refreshing visual visit to some Anna Maria Island landmarks as seen through Ms. Dean's discerning eye.
Having enjoyed a long and successful career teaching art at the University of Maryland and the Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC, Shirley is now an extremely popular and award-winning Bradenton artist, well known for her soothing acrylic landscapes. Shirley works on large, dramatic canvases, capturing the beauty and serenity of our coastal vistas.
The exhibit runs through May 31.
Shirley Rush Dean with her acrylic beachscape and wearing one of her original polymer clay necklaces.
June Featured Artists
 Island Gallery West is very pleased that, for the first time, two of their most creative and prolific artists, DEBRA RIDGDILL and KATHY STORM, are teaming up to present a June art exhibit that they have entitled "Clay, Glass and Photography: Nature Transformed."
Ms. Ridgdill is a very popular potter who is well known for the Raku she has been creating for 30-plus years. Ms. Storm has been an artist at Island Gallery West since the '80s, longer than most of the members, and her stunning stained glass is renowned both locally and also in private collections throughout the country. Kathy's love of nature has inspired her to branch out to photography, and she is outdoors almost every day capturing the detail in local flora and fauna scenes that most of us miss in our daily travels.
The dual exhibit runs through June 29
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Island Gallery West's 2013 Featured Artist and Public Reception Schedule:
Please join us for fine art, fun, food and refreshments at our monthly open house receptions during the winter season.
Many of our member artists attend and look forward to meeting you.
January 2013 Barbara Orear, watercolor paintings exhibit and reception on Jan. 11, 5:30-7:30 PM
February 2013 Terry Denson, watercolor paintings exhibit and reception on Feb. 8, 5:30-7:30 PM
March 2013 Anne Abgott, watercolor paintings exhibit and reception on Mar.. 8, 5:30-7:30 PM
April 2013 Richard Stewart, photography exhibit and reception on Apr. 12, 5:30-7:30 PM
May 2013 Shirley Rush Dean, acrylic and oil paintings and jewelry exhibit
June 2013 Debra Ridgdill, pottery and Kathy Storm, nature photography - joint exhibit
July 2013 Dee Pastorius, watercolor paintings exhibit
August 2013 Patricia Sorg, oil paintings exhibit
September 2013 Caroline Whitmore, watercolor paintings exhibit
October 2013 Marlane Wurzbach, acrylic paintings exhibit
November 2013 Gloria Cropper & Cecy Richardson, mixed-media exhibit with artsHOP reception on Nov. 8, 5:30-8:30
December 2013 Jane Keeling, oil paintings exhibit with HB Holiday Party, Dec. 6, 5:30-7:30 PM
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2014 Art Demonstrations at Island Gallery West
Island Gallery West offers free Art Demonstrations at the gallery from January through the spring every Saturday from 10 AM to Noon.
Seating is first come, first served and there are no reservations. Please call 941-778-6648 for further information.
Island Gallery West History
Artist James Pay conceived of and planned Island Gallery West in April 1990 with other local artists including Sidney McKenna, Mary Worobec, Helen DeForge, Thelma Weeks, Irene Murphy, Judy Adams, Bren Jackson and Jane Fitzgerald.
The gallery opened at the current location, 5368 Gulf Drive in the S & S Shopping Plaza in Holmes Beach, with the Anna Maria Island Art League using the back room for its headquarters and classroom for the first three years.
A fire at an adjacent restaurant, Augie’s, damaged the gallery in April 2003, but the artist co-op worked together to clean and repair the gallery, re-opening it little more than a month later.
The gallery remains a vibrant co-operative of diverse local artists. New applicants are juried by current members to be accepted into the group. There are no paid employees, and each member staffs the gallery once a month. Gallery visitors can always count on meeting with a professional artist knowledgeable in his or her fellow artists’ medium.
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