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About River Visions 2
"If
I could have, to hold forever, one brief place of time and beauty, I
think I might choose the night on the high lonely bank above the St.
Johns River." Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings book, Cross Creek.
The St. Johns River is an inspirational place; where the nature and
humanity both thrive independently and collectively. Creative
minds such as Harriet Beecher Stowe, William Bartram, Winslow Homer,
and Marjorie Rawlings have drunk inspiration from the St. Johns'
waters: and it continues to inspire people today. The River
Visions series evolved from part of the curriculum of James Freeman's
art school as a way for his students to interact with an ever-changing
feature of Northeast Florida. The River Visions 2 exhibit
continues this challenge by inviting five local artists to explore the
river, then bring their visions back to share with an audience what the
river has shown them. Please come and explore these visions and then
seek your own upon the majestic St. Johns River.
Jan Earl Jertson
Jertson is a St. Augustine figure drawer who has worked in pen and ink
for over two decades. He has won awards at the St. Augustine Art
Association and in Palm Coast. He has had several individual shows,
including at Wachovia Bank, and the Pasta Art Gallery and the
Performing Arts Center. Jan said that River Visions was a unique
challenge since most of his work has been with posed models.
Danijela Sarac
Sarac was born in Belgrade, Serbia, and lived most of her life in the
United States. She received a Bachelor's of Fine Arts from the
University of North Florida. After earning her degree, she returned to
her native Serbia where she reacquainted herself to her homeland.
During this time she met many Serbian artists and has served as an art
judge at the University of Belgrade. She subsequently returned to
Jacksonville, where she currently resides. Sarac has participated
in several art shows in Jacksonville and New York City. Her preferred
medium is acrylic paint. She found that River Visions was a baptism for
her as an artist. She hopes that the viewer will get a sense of who she
is through her works.
Helen Young Garrity
Garrity has been interested in drawing and painting since childhood,
but has only recently found the time to pursue that interest. She
earned her master's degree and doctorate from the School of Education,
Boston University, majoring in philosophy. She taught for many years,
and most recently served as Vice President and Director of
International Affairs for Human Life International, a non-profit family
and pro-life organization. She retired to the Jacksonville area,
where she renewed her interest in art in 2007.
Dan Van Slyke, Jr.
Van Slyke's photography has been seen in numerous publications and
websites throughout the region. His commercial, advertising, and event
clients include The Jacksonville Jaguars, The Jacksonville Jaguars
Foundation, The Vestcor Companies, Winn-Dixie, Purcell, Flanagan, Hay,
Family First/All Pro Dad, and Lutheran Social Services. His
portfolio includes the covers of the 2008 and 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
Media Guides and Yearbooks. Van Slyke said, "My images are not
meant to have some deep, ethereal, mysterious meaning, although I am
hopeful that they inspire a vision, memory, or emotion in the
viewer."
James Freeman
Freeman is a nationally known painter who lives in Mandarin. A graduate
of the Atlanta College of Art, which is affiliated with the High Museum
of Art, he has participated in numerous national exhibits, including
the Grand Canyon National Historical Society, The Boston National
Historical Park, Hilton Head Art league, and the St. Augustine Art
Association. Freeman has won awards at the National Park Academy
of the Arts in Jackson, Wyoming. He has been honored with the
Emmett Fritz Memorial Award in St. Augustine.
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