Dragonfly Gallery growing along with Santa Rosa

Dragonfly Gallery growing along with Santa Rosa

By Deborah Nelson
March 19, 2008

‘Raindrops on Roses’ oil painting
by Del Scott

Three years after opening its doors, Milton’s Dragonfly Gallery showcases a vibrant mélange of painting, pottery, fabric and other objets d’art; and as the county grows, an expanding pool of local talent is continually adding to the display.

In between exhibiting and selling work by area artists, the Dragonfly hosts art classes, demonstrations and other community outreach activities.

“The Gallery is a place for us to promote the arts in general,” says spokesperson Wanda Veal.

Recent exhibits include Gulf Coast Kiln Walk Society pottery; and artwork by local high school seniors. Currently, pieces from Gallery art classes are on display.

The community outreach courses, sponsored by Santa Rosa’s Arts and Culture Foundation, are proving popular. Topics range from watercolor painting to polymer jewelry, fabric art and computer photo editing.

“All of our classes have been full,” Veal notes. “We always have a waiting list.”

This is the Gallery’s third year in operation. Currently, works by 22 local artists hang in the facility, drawing visitors as well as local foot traffic.

“People are always coming in,” says Veal. “We’re trying to bring more and more people from throughout the area.”

‘Cut Loose’ in silk and acrylic,
by Linda Koehler

“I think outside of Santa Rosa, people are becoming more aware of what Santa Rosa County has to offer in the arts,” adds local artist Sandi Lang. “We’re seeing more people from around the area at our events.”

The Milton region is home to native artists and creative talent from throughout the country who have retired or settled here, including former art instructors and professional artists.

“There are a lot of artists in this area that are doing some really fine work,” Veal notes. “I’m one of those folks who likes to go to galleries, and I don’t see anything better than what I see in the Dragonfly. We’ve had people who have been college professors, who have had work hung in major galleries.”

To become a Gallery member and have work displayed, artists initially join the Santa Rosa Arts and Culture Foundation, then submit three samples of their work for judging by committee review. Artists accepted to hang at the Gallery may join and pay a hanging fee.

The facility hosts a variety of artistic media, from pottery and ceramics to fabric, jewelry and paintings, for display and sale.

“There’s quite a diverse group in there,” says Veal.

After reading about the Dragonfly in newspaper article, Lang joined up and began instructing and exhibiting work. She currently teaches courses in fiber, polymer clay and decorative gourd art at the Gallery.

Veal, who works in stained glass on a commission basis, says the Dragonfly provides a venue to concentrate on pieces she normally might not get to work on.

‘Go Back to the Beach’ oil painting
by Janie Seal

“The Gallery gives me a place to do the pieces that I love,” she notes.

She hopes to see the Dragonfly’s future focus include expanded community outreach, more artists and visitors, and additional hanging space.

“I just see it growing with the County,” she predicts.

The Dragonfly Gallery is currently exhibiting art from various recent community outreach courses offered by the Santa Rosa Arts and Culture Foundation. The display runs through March 29.

On Saturday, April 12, the Gallery holds a “Gallery in the Garden.” Artwork that is currently hanging at the facility, along with additional art and craft pieces, will be on display and for sale outside.

Upcoming events:

‘Sunrise through Pines’ acrylic painting by Eleanor Williams, currently on display at Milton’s Dragonfly Gallery

March 7 to 29: Arts and Culture Foundation educational outreach exhibit
April 5: Wet-felting class
April 1 -19: Fiber Arts Showcase. Reception on April 5 from 1 p.m. to 4. During the reception fiber artists will be demonstrating their medium
April 12: Gallery in the Garden exhibit and sale
April 19, 9:30 to 12:30: Collage workshop by Donna Freckmann
April 29 to May 17: Art Educators of the Santa Rosa School District Art Show
May 3: Needle Felting Workshop, taught by Lorraine Cathey from 10 a.m. to 3

The Dragonfly Gallery is located at 5188 Escambia Street, in historic downtown Milton. A mission of the Santa Rosa Art and Culture Foundation, the collection is a juried gallery of local artists. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

For more information contact the SRACF at www.SantaRosaArts.org.