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Friends of Contemporary Art FOCA

The Friends of Contemporary Art (FOCA) is an informal group of people interested in learning about art trends, artists and collecting.

The Friends of Contemporary Art (FOCA) is an informal group of people interested in learning about art trends, artists and collecting. FOCA schedules 4 programs each season between November through March. Programs include lectures, artist studio visits, art exhibits, panel discussions and private collection tours. Programs are for members only.

MEMBERSHIP:

Dues are $25 per calendar year, which cover a modest honorarium and travel expenses for presenters. Membership is limited to 70 people and is currently full for the 2024-2025 season (the deadline to join was October 31st, 2024). We will be open for renewals and new members beginning in September 2025, please check this website for updates and information. We appreciate you interest in FOCA.

PLANNING COMMITTEE:

Sharon Theobald, Chair

Jill Kerwick, Vice Chair

Mary Gallatin, Secretary

Bernadine Speers, Treasurer

Warren Obluck, Consultant

Xaque Gruber, Artist

Tim Sanchez, Artist

FOCA Schedule 2024-2025

March 26th: Open Studio Visit: FOCA visits the studio of artist Susan Hale: On Wednesday, March 26th beginning at 3pm., FOCA Members are invited to see the studio of longtime Vero Beach artist Susan Hale.

Due to limited space, this visit will be open to the first 25 FOCA members who RSVP by emailing your wish to attend to focaverobeach@gmail.com. Attendees will receive an email with the directions to the studio the day before the visit and an email will be sent to all members when the limit of 25 is reached. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send FOCA an email.

January – April 2025: Tours can be arranged independently by groups of members: Some suggestions below:

~Vero Beach Museum of Art - from Modern Masters - Monet to Matisse, February 1st through June 22nd, 2025.

~Norton Museum: Joaquin Sorolla : Sorolla and the Sea, November 23, 2024 – April 13, 2025.

~Gallery at Windsor: This season, the Gallery at Windsor is pleased to present "Left Hand, Right Hand", an expansive exhibition of recent works by Sir Christopher Le Brun and Charlotte Verity, which will be on view from January 27 to April 25, 2025. Curated by Robin Vousden, the exhibition will provide a rare opportunity to see these two major British painters side by side, as they exhibit together for the first time in the USA.

The Gallery has graciously reserved dates for FOCA members for tours and lunch: Next visit is Tuesday, March 25th. All tours start at 10:30 a.m. with a noon lunch. Tours are limited to 12 guests maximum (but can be less than 12) and include a lunch in the Clubhouse. Price for the tour and lunch with wine is $55 per person. This includes the suggested donation of $15 towards the Windsor Charitable Foundation. This $15 gift is tax-deductible and is designated to support arts non-profit organizations.

It is for FOCA members to arrange their visit with Windsor directly at 772-388-8400 - do not email FOCA to arrange. Windsor prefers one check or credit card for the 12 guests: 12 x $55 = $660.

CONTACT: focaverobeach@gmail.com

(Image at right: Timothy J. Sanchez, Themis, 2022, mixed media on paper.)

FOCA visits the home of Artist, writer and collector Nancilee Wydra

Every generation responds to art in ways representing their generation. This painting (seen below) was executed by a Hispanic youth from Sebastian, Fl. and was met with thunderous responses when delivered to Youth Guidance last week. Donated by Friends of Contemporary Art, (FOCA), believing this will spark a love for all fine arts. Accompanying the donation of the painting will be a generous check. To further encourage a love of art, Youth’s Guidance class “So You Want to be a Writer” will attend The Indian River Clay opening exhibit, March 7th at Raw Space Gallery, Vero Beach.

Friends of Contemporary Art - FOCA News and Opportunities

Local Season's Picks for FOCA members to view at their own pleasure:

(are you a FOA member with an upcoming Art event? Email focaverobeach@gmail.com to be added to our list of Season's Picks!)

Gallery Veritas & Art Library, 1420 20th St, Downtown Vero - open by appointment until the end of March

"TIM SANCHEZ - NEW WORKS 2025"

at The Enviromental Learning Center....
Chris and Nancy Gotfredson are curating an art show at the Environmental Learning Center entitled “Inspired by Nature - The Art of John’s Island Club”.

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JILL KERWICK - New Work! March 7-31, 2025 at

The Center for Spiritual Care 1550 24th Street, Vero Beach

and at the

Lighthouse Art Center, Tequesta, FL group exhibition "Roadside Reveries", opening on April 24th

https://lighthousearts.org/exhibitions/roadside-reveries/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Indian River Clay’s 2025 Form & Fire, an exhibition showcasing contemporary ceramics artwork, will run from March 7 to March 21st at Raw Space Gallery. Indian River Clay event will celebrate the creativity, innovation, and artistry of 65 ceramics artist and over 80 pieces of their work. The exhibition will feature clay in a variety of forms, including functional, sculptural, decorative. and experimental ceramic pieces with the requirement that clay serves as the primary material.

This event is open to public at Raw Space Gallery 1795 Old Dixie Highway Vero Beach. For times, dates and other information please contact Indian River Clay at 772-202-8598

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Workshop - member Catherine Fosnot encourages others to contact her at Ctfosnot@yahoo.com and to join her for:

FROM PAPER TO CANVAS-an Online Workshop with Jennifer Moses, beginning Mar 11.

Meetings will be held on Zoom and work will be shared on Padlet, an online platform.

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Member Patricia Forelle will be a part of The Annual Exhibiting Artist May 1-30, 205 at the National Arts Club at Gramercy Park in New York City. If you are in the city at that time, she would be happy to give you a tour.

Visit www. patriciaforelle.com for more information.