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Art planner: New work at Florida CraftArt, Dunedin's Wearable Art returns

 
This drawing by Kara Voorhees Reynolds is just one of her drawings on display at Bamboozle Tea Lounge beginning today through Sept. 22.
This drawing by Kara Voorhees Reynolds is just one of her drawings on display at Bamboozle Tea Lounge beginning today through Sept. 22.
Published Aug. 24, 2016

Curator Jorge Vidal has put together an impressive group of seven artists for "Mind Over Matter," opening Friday at Florida CraftArt. Donna Anderson, Emily Barletta, Martin and Erik Demaine, Jessica Drenk, Christopher Kurtz and Polly Adams Sutton work in traditional craft media such as paper, wood and fiber. Most of the pieces on view are conceptual ideas being realized in humble materials, but some of their work even as a degree of functionality.

Their resumes are all stellar but of particular interest is that of the father-son team Martin and Erik Demaine. Martin, the father, home-schooled his son though he never earned a degree beyond a high-school diploma. He became a major presence in the studio glass movement in Canada.

When Erik was 6, they collaborated on the Erik and Dad Puzzle Company, which created 3-D mathematically-based puzzles. Erik at 20 became the youngest professor hired by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and he has received a MacArthur "genius" grant. Martin is also a professor at MIT. They still collaborate, on elegant origami-style paper sculptures such as the one shown here. Others are part of museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art.

That little bio should give you an idea of the caliber of this show, which continues through Oct. 22.

Florida CraftArt, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free. A free opening reception is Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. (727) 821-7391. floridacraftart.org.

The 12th annual Wearable Art fashion smash at Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., hits the runway Saturday. Models will show off designs (most of them consciously exaggerated) by Mark Byrne, Stefania Costanzo, Melissa Dolce, Neva the Diva Durham, the Garden Fairies, Julian Hartzog, Johnny Hunt, Dacota Maphis and Sue Woodall-Metas, Nancy Niss and Lina Teixeira.

And here's an interesting idea: At before and after parties, artists will display their tattoos and talk about those they plan to get or fantasize about. The pre-party begins at 7 p.m. Saturday; show begins at 8:30 p.m. with party to follow. Tickets start at $20 general admission. (727) 298-3322. dfac.org.

The delicate beauty of Kara Voorhees Reynolds' drawings will grace the walls of Bamboozle Tea Lounge beginning Thursday and continuing through Sept. 22. The lounge, 109 N 12th St., Tampa, is in the Channelside District, not to be confused with the Bamboozle Cafe in downtown Tampa. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. A free opening reception begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday with some delicious-sounding treats including pho sips, spring rolls and fruit smoothies. But really, go to see the art!

The practice of allowing nonmuseum professionals to select art to add to an institution's permanent collection isn't new. It's a way to create a sense of ownership and inclusion. And, honestly, the choices aren't random; they have been vetted by the museum people before any voting takes place.

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The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts has three photographic prints by master photographer (and photo-Surrealist) Jerry Uelsmann up for election and at a museum event from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. It's free for members, who automatically get to vote, but here's democracy in action: If you aren't a member, $25 gets you through the door and a ballot. The museum is at 400 N Ashley Drive, Cube 200, Tampa. Regular hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Docent tours every Sunday at 2 p.m. (813) 221-2222. fmopa.org.