STUART ── It’s a full circle moment, if you will, for three of the Treasure Coast’s premier artists.
The “Will it Go Round in Circles?” exhibit is a vibrant, thought-provoking exhibition featuring the work of Maria Miele, Tom Prestopnik, and Linda Reymore.
The trio of artists are different in many ways, including style and medium and yet they are a perfect fit for this exhibition. All three have spent most of their lives creating and their paths have led them back to the core of why they create: not to repeat the past, but to rediscover it through fresh eyes.
Reymore, a Rocky Point resident, and stalwart supporter and volunteer for the arts since the early 80s, describes her award-winning art as neo-modern abstraction.
“The circle is often central in my practice, appearing as subject and structure, anchor and orbit. It can suggest stability or motion, unity or fragmentation,” said Reymore. “There’s a very quiet, sometimes unseen logic behind abstract art and that makes it what it is.”
Prestopnik, of Port St. Lucie, is a retired Martin County teacher, and winner of the 2024 Florida Art Education Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The retiree works with paints, clay, silver casting, welding, and drawing. He is perhaps best known for his assemblages, finding inspiration in unique, unexpected mediums like back scratchers, driftwood or a pair of old shoes.
A couple of years ago, he noticed a pattern of circles in his work and began his search for artists that would be a good fit for his circles exhibit idea. With a lifetime in the arts, Prestopnik knows more than 200 artists across the state.
He decided on Reymore and Miele and together, the three different artists with three different perspectives agreed.
Miele, of Palm City, is a photographer and painter, working in oils, acrylic, mixed media, clay and stone. Her style is considered American modernism and coastal abstract. All three artists agree that it’s important to see the art in person, in real life ── to experience the art.
“Seeing it live is an emotional experience,” said Prestopnik. “Compare it to looking at a magazine or online to actually standing in front of the Mona Lisa. Being in the presence of art is humbling.” “Just like music, it’s different live,” Reymore said.
The exhibition, with the pieces priced to sell, will be open to the public from Nov. 11 – Dec. 20 at the Courthouse Cultural Center Gallery. The opening reception will be held from 5:30 – 7 p.m., Nov. 13 and a Walk & Talk with the artists is set for 10 a.m. Nov. 22.
The opening reception is a social event. Along with the art, there’s hors d’oeuvres and wine and a chance to meet new creative people.
“It’s very relaxed and casual,” said Reymore. “It’s nothing to be intimidated about.”
The artists will have more time to answer questions and talk about their works at the Walk & Talk.
The Courthouse Cultural Center Gallery is located at 80 SE Ocean Blvd., Stuart. Admission is donation-based.