"Avelino & Aphrodite" - Turned Wood Sculpture and Original Oil Paintings
Meet the Artist Reception: Avelino and Aphrodite
Friday, January 25, 2008 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Shop online at www.GalleryStThomas.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Gallery St. Thomas presents Avelino & Aphrodite - Friday, January 25, 2008.
St. Thomas, USVI, January14, 2008 — Gallery St. Thomas will open an exhibit on Friday, January 25, 2008 of new work by two award-winning Caribbean artists: master woodturner Avelino Samuel and oil painter Aphrodite. Both artists will be present at an opening reception from 5-8 p.m. at the gallery, #1 Main Street, Upper Level, across from Cardow, according to gallery owner Claire Ochoa.
Avelino Samuel has created fine art from wood for more than 25 years, primarily using woods native to the Caribbean. Never tiring in his pursuit of higher levels of artistic expression, however, Avelino heightens the drama of some of his new vases by using delicate finials made of dried sea plants he has found on the beaches of his native St. John. This selection of Avelino’s sought-after work will also include bowls and other works made from a variety of local woods, including mahogany, white prickle, amarod and genip, as well as several pieces done with ambrosia maple.
A member of the American Association of Woodturners, Avelino will be a featured presenter at the group’s annual woodturning symposium in Richmond, Virginia in June of 2008. Holding a Master’s degree in Education, he is an Industrial Arts instructor in St. John.
Aphrodite is known for the lush colors of her Caribbean landscapes and florals. Her finely composed scenes feature landmarks from St. John, St. Thomas and San Juan, P.R. as well as the charming cottages typical of the islands. Equally popular among Aphrodite’s works are her florals, where she mixes the romance of flowers with the cheerful colors of the Caribbean.
Early in her career, Aphrodite painted lelgendary sports figures such as Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Dino Radja, and many of her originals are on view at the New England Sports Museum in Boston. A visit to the Virgin Islands changed all that. Inspired by its architecture and seascape vistas, she has become a leading island artist. Winning top awards several times at the Caribbean Color exhibit, her works can be found in private collections around the world.
The “Avelino and Aphrodite” exhibit will be on view at Gallery St. Thomas, #1 Main Street, Upper Level, from Friday, January 25 through January 31. To preview the show, go to www.GalleryStThomas.com. The exhibit is open to the public and all works are available for sale.
To purchase these or or other pieces from the show, contact Gallery St. Thomas at
Art@GalleryStThomas.com or call Claire Ochoa at 340.777.6363 or toll free 877.797.6363.