INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - The Plein Aire Cottage Artists' French easels and straw hats have been a frequent sight on Gulf Blvd. the past few weeks, as they capture, on canvas the cottages and businesses of Indian Rocks Beach. One visitor to Indian Rocks Beach asked why is it called "Save our Cottages Series IV" and responded to his own question by saying "Is this Your 4th Save Our Cottages Art Show; or does it mean that the cottages have been put on an IV (intravenous) to keep them alive? Both answers are correct.
The Plein Aire Cottage artists are passionate about the community of Indian Rocks Beach and want to preserve the history of this coastal community. If you smash a cottage, it is gone forever and a faceless high rise takes up residence. As the bulldozers knock down another cottage, Violette (Plein Aire Cottage Artist), who comes from Russia where there has been war and turmoil, quietly pointed out that "only an enemy destroys houses."
Series IV will feature all new paintings of Indian Rocks Beach from cottages to Beach Trail, seascapes and beach entrances at Guppy's on the Beach, 1701 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach.
The Plein Aire Cottage Artists are: Violette (Shtymeyzen), a Russian born fifth generation master artist and teacher. Mary Rose (Holmes) a Floridian who understands the landscape and has been painting since childhood. Helen Tilson, an Irish born artist who is passionate about architecture and the beach. All three artists have won several awards, locally and international.
They will present Indian Rocks Beach at the Florence Biennale in December 2007. This prestigious art show is by invitation only and will have artists from over 70 countries.