With Arts & Entertainment Editor Kathy L. Collins
The current exhibit at the SouthShore Regional Library in Ruskin is a terrific show featuring two talented local artists-Diane Simon of Kings Point and Harvey Berman of Sun City Center. The exhibit is available for viewing in the Crawford Gallery during the normal hours of the library which is located at 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin.
Diane Simon is a watercolor artist. She is an active member of several organizations including the Florida Watercolor Society, Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society, Kings Point Art League, Sun City Center Art League and American Watercolor Society. She has had her work shown throughout the area and currently has pieces in the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society at the Art Center Manatee.
Simon said, “The juror (for the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society) Carol Frye, awarded me with an honorable mention. We had more than 150 pieces and due to space, she had to eliminate almost 30% of those entered, so to have two pieces accepted and one winning an award, I am blessed.”
In addition to her own art, Simone lends her expertise to active seniors. “I teach approximately 46 weeks of the year to an active senior community and help more than 70 students a week during this season to find joy and pleasure in their work,” said Simon.
Harvey Berman is a fabulous watercolor artist. Berman is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York City where he majored in illustration and commercial art. He spent many years working as a commercial artist in New York City at two advertising agencies.
Berman said, “I hope that my use of color and design attract people to look at my work.”
Like Simon, Berman now devotes much of his time to share his skills with others. “I teach watercolor to residents of Sun City Center and the Kings Point communities. I believe my work on display illustrates my love of color, design and passion of composition,” said Berman.
Berman teaches at the Art Club of Sun City Center. “My class is working on a future exhibit dealing with Haiku Poetry where they chose a poem and create an image that deals with the author’s verbal intent,” added Berman.
If you would like to be considered for an exhibit in the Crawford Gallery at the SouthShore Regional Library, please see the front desk at the library or call 272-3652.
