Since 1923, the members of the Gainesville Fine Arts Association have enriched the lives of member artists, art lovers and art collectors
One big circular face. Two small pigtails. And a wide smile full of white teeth.
Cindy Capehart stops and smiles herself as she admires the drawing she did when she was 6, titled “Self Portrait.”
Her recent gallery, “Timeline: A Story of an Artist,” showcased her progression as an artist from when she was in elementary school until today. A large doorway stands in the gallery symbolizing her 20-year break from art. In early 2011, she became a member of Gainesville Fine Arts Association (GFAA), a year after she picked up her trade again.
“It’s been interesting to see the growth of different artists who have been involved with the organization,” Chuck Sapp, president of GFAA and four-year member, said. “Cindy Capehart is an excellent example.”
With a vision of providing opportunities for local artists, GFAA was founded in 1923 by Nelly Trezerant, C. Addison Pound and F.W. (Emmeline) Buchholz. The three women were originally inspired because they saw a need for more artists and visual presence in Gainesville. This year the non-profit organization celebrates its90th anniversary.
Roz Miller, public relations chair of GFAA and nine-year member, took Saturday morning art classes with Buchholz when she 10.
“She was a major influence on my life as an artist,” she said. “It made me want to explore art in greater depth and to a greater dimension. Today, if I didn’t have art in my life, my soul would die.”
About a decade after its conception, GFAA only had three rented studio rooms for classes and traveling art shows near the courthouse square. Since then, it has grown to hosting recognized exhibitions, art festivals and workshops throughout Alachua County.
The growing membership of 150 welcomes creative people who bring a range of artistic mediums. GFAA also welcomes non-artist members who serve as board members and volunteers to assure the success of many events for member and public benefit.
Two of Gainesville’s four annual art festivals are both owned and run by the organization. This year, GFAA and the Thornebrook Merchant’s Association celebrate a 29-year partnership of producing and hosting the Art Festival at Thornebrook—which began in 1984 with 45 artists and now extends to more than 110 booth spaces and around 30,000 attendees.
In February, GFAA hosted its sixth Winter Fine Art Fair at Tioga. The judged invitational fair hosted about 100 artists, with a menu of local musical groups and family activities.
The festivals generate a lot of foot traffic, which helps local business, Miller said. Many of the merchants also have some of their best weekends during that time.
GFAA also has several outreach programs that focus on using art to benefit the community beyond economics. All of the community exhibition venues are for member exposure and community enrichment.
There are four revolving art shows annually at the Central Park Medical Plaza on West Newberry Road at NW 43rd St. These art shows give members exposure and public viewing pleasure, Miller said. A side benefit is art therapy for patients arriving for their medical appointments.
“Gainesville Fine Arts has made the community much more aware of visual art,” Miller said. “Gainesville is a smorgasbord of cultural activity—not just visual arts, but music, dance, performance. Visual art is just one component that makes Gainesville such a rich cultural community.”
GFAA gives artists the ability to come together, network, learn and have the creative support that is crucial as artists to grow, Sapp said.
While being a member, Capehart has had the opportunity to become one of three artists in residence at The Doris for about a year and a half.
The Art Association of Alachua County (AAAC) partnered with GFAA and other local organizations that worked together to establish The Doris on October 2011. It was named after AAAC board member Doris Bardon who died in 2006 and left her estate to the group. Bardon had a vision to establish this center in town because unlike many other places in Florida, Gainesville didn’t have one. It’s been one of the largest projects GFAA has been a part of, Sapp said.
“It’s just been an amazing experience,” Capehart said in referring to her time at the cultural center. Having different artists from GFAA give her critiques has helped her become a better artist.
To know a lot of Capehart’s work has been influenced by her association with other artists and her ability to fluently exhibit is phenomenal, Sapp said.
“It’s what the Gainesville Fine Art Association is all about.”
For more information on the Gainesville Fine Art Association, visit www.gainesvillefinearts.com.