CAPE MAY — Three members of the Cape May Artists Cooperative Gallery brought home ribbons from the prestigious Philadelphia Shell Show and Festival held recently at the Academy of Natural Sciences.
Photographer Anita Roth took first place honors for her photographs of chambered nautilus.
Potter Laura McPherson took two second place awards for her jewelry and bead artist Diana Cutshall took third place for her Orange Cup Coral bead sculpture.
Anita Roth took her first photo class ten years ago. It took her another five years before she had the time to pursue it and she quickly became hooked on the medium. She won her first art show three years ago and placed second in the Cape May County Art League Mall Show in 0209.
She enjoys being able to capture a moment and share it with other people.
Anita loves the beach and the seaglass and shells she collects end up in her photos as well as images of the beach and sunset. Anita says, “I am always honored when people see that beauty and enjoy my images as much as I do.”
Laura McPherson, a proud native of West Cape May, celebrates her artistic talents in several mediums. Theme range from funky fish and lovely lima beans to quirky cookies (fortune cookies, that is).
Laura is an art teacher in the community and offers instruction in many areas. Though clay and pottery is her passion, you can find her working with penned graphics for local businesses as well as other two-dimensional creations of whimsy.
“I find inspiration in odd places. I may be walking the beach with my daughters and find a gnarly piece of driftwood that looks like a dragon…and the next thing you know, I am home with my clay making dragons. I am also inspired by the creative misuse of words, another way of saying I love a good (or bad) pun. From these have sprung the Urchins of Venice.”
Diana Cutshall is a potter and self-taught jewelry artist. To Diana, clay and beadwork link people across all cultures and throughout all ages. They date back to the beginning of time, telling stories of human need and desire, shedding light on each culture and its search for beauty. Diana dreams that her work will become part of this ongoing human chain.
“I have always been inspired by works of the past,” says Diana, “and you can see their influences in the terracotta pottery and jewelry I produce today. I also love the idea of personal adornment. It is interesting that, in ancient times, some people were buried with their jewelry, and I would love to make a piece that is so special to someone, they would want it with them for all eternity. I strive to create beaded art jewelry that is valued more for its design and creativity than for its material worth.”
The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery is a group of twenty-eight local artists who have joined together to showcase and sell their work as well as educate the public about their art forms.
The Artists Cooperative Gallery is currently open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m – 6 p.m. Call 609-770-8261 for information.
Wildwood – So Liberals here on spout off, here's a REAL question for you.
Do you think it's appropriate for BLM to call for "Burning down the city" and "Black Vigilantes" because…
