Up-and-coming artists featured at showcase

As Lydia Zorzi was chatting with attendees at the Art on the Gulf showcase, one person came up to share how much her book of poetry resonated with him, adding that he planned to share her work with other friends who may also appreciate it.

"It makes me feel really good that someone can feel the depth of what I wrote," she said.

The smiling writer explained that exactly is why she was so eager to participate in the showcase.

Organizer Medge Jaspan recently started the series, open to the public, which aims to promote the work of up-and-coming local artists of all specialties.

Jaspan is the owner of Holistic Healing & Wellness Center Longboat Key, and she wanted to start the series to show the wider community what talent resides here.

The Jan. 22 event featured six local artists: Lydia Zorzi, Rosane Ferreira of Rosane's Creations, Jackie Williams, Vincent Taschetti, Victoria Konsavage and Jaspan.

Proceeds from the event goes toward supporting the Humane Society of Sarasota County.

Williams is a mix-media artist who experiments in everything from clothing designs inspired by the seven deadly sins to performing arts. She took the opportunity at the showcase to display four of her acrylic paintings, including a circus-centric clown portrait quartet titled “Circus Mirror.”

She is currently a student at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus, and she draws inspiration from the surrealist style of artists like Salvador Dalí.

“I love art in general, and I have such a broad appreciation for it,” she said.

Her mother, Lynda Williams, said she was thrilled to see the community come out to support her daughter.

Jaspan was an early supporter of Williams, buying one of her first paintings.

Konsavage said attendees particularly gravitated toward her gold-flake coated piece, "Guilded Canopy," which depicts the branches of a tree draped with blue gems.

"I've really enjoyed meeting all the people who have come in to explore the art we are sharing tonight and just seeing how they interpret each piece," she said.

Also at the showcase was Michele D’Ambrosio, wife of the late artist Vincent Taschetti. She shared some of his works and said she strongly supports the promotion of local artists and buying local art.

Reflecting on her own art, Jaspan said she aims to evoke feelings of empowerment. She said empowerment is what drove her to organize the showcase, and she hopes to work with other businesses in the community to expand this outreach.

Considering she published her first book, "Dancing on the Edge of Normalcy: Poetry and Prose" at the age of 73, Zorzi was grateful for the opportunity to connect with others, and she looks forward to future showcases.