The University Park Country Clubs invites the public to Art in the Park on March 16 and 17.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
East County
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Susan Wu doesn’t paint. She writes.
“In Chinese painting, we say, ‘I wrote it,’ because the painting is telling a story,” Wu said.
Wu was one of nearly 60 University Park Country Club residents, club members and staff to display artwork at the club for Art in the Park on March 15-17.
“Every year, people are dazzled by how much talent there is in this small community,” organizer Deborah Van Brunt said. “We’ve got about 1,200 homes. To be able to find this kind of artistic ability is just astounding.”
Artists submit work of all mediums. Crafts are reserved for the artisans market in December.
Van Brunt said the country club is a huge supporter of the event, but it’s volunteer driven. Many of the volunteers are also the artists, Van Brunt included. She submitted four pieces – two acrylic paintings and two watercolors.
The club and organizers don’t take a commission as 100% of the sale price goes back to the artist.
“We don’t want to profit,” Van Brunt said. “And we sell a lot. We’ve sold some very high-ticket items, and the lower priced prints and greeting cards sell like crazy.”
In total, 170 pieces of art were displayed.
Art in the Park features the artwork of residents, club members and staff at the University Park Country Club.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Susan Wu stands next to a Chinese brush painting she created for the Year of the Dragon. Each object holds a special meaning.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Mike Zuckerman is just looking, but Deborah Van Brunt is one of the organizers and artists displaying work at Art in the Park.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Little Freddie by Susan Guthrie is made out of papier mache.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Art in the Park accepts all mediums of fine art, but no crafts.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Serenity by Michael Parkinson is sold less than two hours into the show.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Barbara Stapleton has three pieces in the show. One of the three, "Evening Reflection," is pictured in the top right corner.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Mary Lou Morton lives in the country club, so she has a few friends in the show.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The University Park Country Clubs invites the public to Art in the Park on March 16 and 17.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
University Park resident Nancy Huck stops in on March 16 to view the art.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Art in the Park gives residents, club members and staff of the University Park Country Clubhave a chance to sell their art and keep 100% of the profits.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Palmer Ranch resident Barbara Lande is also an artist. She painted the shirt she's wearing after she spilled tomato sauce on it and couldn't get the stain out.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Fred Snyder plays the piano during Art in the Park on March 16.
Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.
