Unique Art On Display In Brooksville

BROOKSVILLE - Local artists are getting a lot of attention this weekend.

Those who proved they could turn a simple idea into a unique, eye-catching piece of art were the ones who benefited the most Saturday during the 24th Annual Art in the Park.

The event continues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Tom Varn Park. The winners in each category - fine art, fine crafts, crafts - were announced late Saturday. Their names will be published Monday.

"Any artist can paint a rose," said judge Rick Whalen, an artist with his own studio in downtown St. Petersburg. "I want to see one attached to the back of someone's head."

He may have been exaggerating, but uniqueness and the ability to nudge boundaries are what impress judges the most.

There were wood carvings, handmade jewelry, oil paintings, ink drawings, photography, watercolors and acrylics.

Evie Harper, of Weeki Wachee, is a regular at local art shows. She owns Restless Mind Art and turns old wood into wildlife sculptures.

She was showing off her new collection Saturday.

"That otter's new, this eagle's new, that gator's new," she said as she pointed them out one by one. "I've been working. I love it."

She recently sold thousands of dollars worth of art during a show in Homosassa. A large iguana she made two years ago - a fixture in her living room - was about to get sold Saturday.

"You get attached to some of these pieces," she said.

Just a few feet along the jogging trail from Harper's booth was Sony Shivdeseni, who earned the Award of Distinction during last year's Art in the Park.

Her sterling silver jewelry garnered just as much attention this weekend. Visitors can expect new designs year after year. She doesn't believe in repeating herself.

"Designing sketches takes most of my time," Shivdeseni said. "My designs are very, very versatile."

The former computer network engineer started making jewelry for her daughter soon after she was born. She has been doing art shows for more than five years.

She makes her jewelry out of sterling silver, semiprecious stones and fresh water pearls.

When she sells one item, she replaces it - with something completely different.

"I have to make another one that doesn't look anything like it," she said.

Art in the Park is presented each year by the Hernando County Fine Arts Council. Next year, for the 25th anniversary, organizers hope to incorporate a mini-film festival, said council member Myndee Washington.

Approximately 90 artists are taking part this year. At least 10 business and nonprofits also have booths lined up along the park.

There is an oil painting booth available for the children and several food vendors.

Sponsors include Hernando Today, The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com, NewsChannel 8, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin' Donuts, Joni Industries, Publix, AAA, Sweetbay Supermarkets and the City of Brooksville.

"This is the best art show I've been to anywhere," said Marilyn Flanagan, of New Port Richey. "Also, the prices are right."

She said Brooksville's Art in the Park bested similar shows recently held in Tarpon Springs and Dunedin.

Her friend, Bonnie Bell, help up a homemade wine glass holder they had purchased minutes earlier.

"This was hand-done and hand-painted and it was $8," Bell said. "You can't beat that."

Whalen hopes many of this year's artists, including those who did not place, will return next year.

"The (winners) had a very unique body of work," he said. "There were others who may not have won, but we hope to see them come back. They were very good."