Artist Jonell Yoekel showcases her nature photography at the Women's Guild Valentine's Day-themed art show on Feb. 10 at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Longboat Key
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Fitting the Valentine's Day theme, the Women's Guild showed how much Longboat Key's local artists pour their hearts into their art at a new annual event.
The guild hosted its second annual holiday art showcase and sale on Feb. 10 at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church. This was the first year members opened up attendance to the wider community, and Longboaters responded, filling every available table at Father Edward Pick Hall.
Attendees had the chance to peruse tables laden with paintings, nature photography, shell-based art and more. Some pieces were for exhibition only, but the majority were up for sale. Patrons interested in a piece could buy raffle tickets to put toward winning it.
President Kay Kochenderfer noted this year's art show again benefits the guild's scholarship fund.
Artists Claudia Stieber, Barb Sikora and Bobbi Miller were the evening's guest speakers.
Attendees also had the opportunity to again pin a handwritten note with their prayer intentions to a heart tree board, to be read at a future service by Father Robert Dziedziak.
Fran Zinna puts in a raffle ticket for one of her top picks of pieces of art being displayed at the Women's Guild Valentine's Day art show at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Pam and Steve Fasolino check out the art at St. Mary's Valentine's Day art show this year, the first time the art showcase is open to the public.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Frank Toomey, husband of Women's Guild President Kay Kochenderfer, shares with Brent Leonard the behind-the-scenes story of his wife's photography adventures in Botswana.
Photo by Dana Kampa
This multi-media art piece by artist Susan DiNatale caught the attention of many attendees at the Women's Guild Valentine's Day art show. The piece incorporates locally sourced seashells and 250-year-old olive wood from Italy and is titled, "Acque Tranquille."
Photo by Dana Kampa
Women's Guild President Kay Kochenderfer welcomes a full house of attendees at the Valentine's Day art show.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Artists Claudia Stieber, Barb Sikora and Bobbi Miller were the evening's guest speakers at the Valentine's Day art show.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Valentine's Day art show attendees Russ and Mary McConnell said they were impressed with the talent on display at the Women's Guild showcase.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Artist Bobbi Miller brought several pieces to sell to support the Women's Guild scholarship fund, including a few of her abstract pieces.
Photo by Dana Kampa
St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Director of Music Greg Murray plays at the Women's Guild art showcase.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Local artist Pat Lundy works in a variety of media, including by oil pallet knife. She shared her works at a recent art show at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Artist Linda Olsen exhibited multiple works as the Valentine's Day show. This portrait is titled "Molly."
Photo by Dana Kampa
Artist Bobbi Miller
Photo by Dana Kampa
Women's Guild President Kay Kochenderfer
Photo by Dana Kampa
Mary Jane Tolpa affixes a prayer intention to the heart tree on display at the Women's Guild Valentine's Day art show.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Longboat Key residents shared their prayer intentions on a communal heart tree for Valentine's Day.
Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.
