ANNA MARIA – It was a blend of art and history as the Anna Maria Island Historical Society hosted an “Evening of the Arts” at its museum on Pine Avenue on Jan. 21.
In addition to historic artifacts and treasures on permanent display, the special night featured the works of three talented local artists: Karen Beach, Angie Prindle and Janet Razze.
Razze’s work incorporates local seashells into stained glass, a unique process that drew many in attendance to her work.
“The glass is getting very hard to get and you can’t always find the colors you want,” Razze said. “The biggest problem I’m having is getting my hands on the solder to make these pieces. The solder to make these pieces is made with tin and lead, and the tin mines are closing down.”
Prindle is a retired art teacher from Kansas City who came here to make a second career teaching in Manatee County, she said.
“I was working for The Center and did a collaboration with the historical museum. I had brought the kids from The Center over and painted the benches and got talking to Barbara (Murphy), showing her some of my work. She said they were always looking to showcase local artists and they’d like to showcase my work. I said absolutely, and that’s how this came to be.”
Beach is a member of Island Gallery West who specializes in watercolors, but doesn’t like to paint on site, since watercolors tend to dry quickly.
“I just take a photograph, whether it’s reflections in the water that are so appealing, or just anything I find that’s so beautiful,” said Beach, who said she is inspired by local scenes on the Island as well as Cortez.
Liz Hager, of the Historical Society, said the art show was a natural because the museum had been a part of Cultural Connections before that group dissolved. This was the second art event at the museum, and Hager said there will be more to come.
For more upcoming events at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum, visit the website.
