HERALD PHOTO BY MARILYN THORNDYCRAFT

Helen Gerro has recently moved from her own studio to the Artisans’ Atelier. Her distinctive style is immediately recognizable. She calls it “fashion-inspired art and art-inspired fashion.” Gerro’s clothing graces fashion shows all across the state and country. She has been a women’s wear designer for more than 30 years.

HERALD PHOTO BY MARILYN THORNDYCRAFT

Susan Shore’s nature sculptures are collected and displayed in homes and businesses across the United States. She teaches at the Visual Arts Center, and her bird sculptures can be seen flying high at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Congerence Center.

HERALD PHOTO BY MARILYN THORNDYCRAFT

Clare Harvey organizes the Visual Arts Center’s Plein Air Painters, teaches in North Port and is the youth art director at the North Port Art Center. Her first love is portraits. Harvey will work on commissions, and said that she uses photos, but tries to learn about the subjects she paints to capture the person behind the picture.

HERALD PHOTO BY MARILYN THORNDYCRAFT

Mark Preuss was born in Berlin to a U.S. military father. He recently spent five years in Germany pursuing his art and working in the film industry. A multi-talented artist, he works backstage at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Naples Philharmonic and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. When he returned from Germany in 2010, he found Punta Gorda, “a beautiful little jewel between Sarasota and Naples,” and decided to stay.

HERALD PHOTO BY MARILYN THORNDYCRAFT

Beverly Yakwitt specializes in abstracts, although she enjoys painting portraits and figures in oils as well. As past president of the Arts & Humanities Council of Charlotte County, she knows the needs of artists and encourages them to join the Artisans’ Atelier.

HERALD PHOTO BY MARILYN THORNDYCRAFT

Frank Ferrante is a marine biologist, but decided to combine his love of sea creatures with art. He uses a technique called gyotaku, a Japanese form of art that uses fish rubbings. Ferrante catches the fish, uses a rub technique to put the fish on paper and then turns that into a work of art. The finished product is amazing. He said, “We are all starving artists, but at least I get to eat the fish I catch.” He is an avid supporter of the Save Japan Dolphins project.

HERALD PHOTO BY MARILYN THORNDYCRAFT

Barry Thorne retired to the area after a teaching career in Michigan, but art has been in his life forever. His art shows a particular reverence for nature and Native American culture. He teaches at the North Port Art Center, and he creates retirement cartoons and caricatures.

HERALD PHOTO BY MARILYN THORNDYCRAFT

Mark Preuss shows his work to visitors to the Artisans’ Atelier.

HERALD PHOTO BY MARILYN THORNDYCRAFT

Frank Ferrante shows off some of his work on display at the Artisans’ Atelier.

HERALD PHOTO BY MARILYN THORNDYCRAFT

The Artisans’ Atelier was planned as an artist incubator to provide studio space for local artists at a relatively reasonable cost. Located on the Olympia Avenue side of the Herald Court Centre, there are several cubicles where each artist has a studio.

HERALD PHOTO BY MARILYN THORNDYCRAFT

Susan Shore shows off a sampling of her nature sculptures.

HERALD PHOTO BY MARILYN THORNDYCRAFT

Clare Harvey shows some of her work to a visitor.

HERALD PHOTO BY MARILYN THORNDYCRAFT

Mila Private has just moved into the Artisans’ Atelier. New from Colorado, where she began her art career, she is hoping to meet visitors in her studio. Private is presently working on a series of exotic animals using graphite, pencil and pastels. Two baby leopards are just emerging onto this canvas.

HERALD PHOTO BY JENNIFER BRUNO
Marcus Nash, a Charlotte High School Tarpon, dribbles the ball down the field during a home game played against the Lemon Bay High School Manta Rays.