Hanging out, drinking delicious coffee, talking about art… ahhhh, that’s the life! Well, that IS the life at least for an hour or so each month at the Dunedin Fine Art Center’s Coffee and Conversation series. Enjoy coffee (Presented by the Sterling Society of DFAC) and insights as each month’s invited guest holds forth on their own area of expertise. Admission to these relaxed talks is $5 and is FREE to current DFAC members.

Thursday, January 12th, 2017 at 12 noon,the series hosts artist Joyce Curvin. After having used clay, metals and other mediums, Joyce found the medium of papier-mâché.  Come hear her share her journey, starting with a brief history of papier-mâché and moving on to how she came to blend recycled objects and materials to create her signature “Art Official Pets.”  Joyce’s use of demonstrations and discussion will leave you inspired to try your hand at creating your own menagerie.

Florida artist Joyce Curvin was taught from an early age to love nature.  During her childhood, the family’s large backyard housed a menagerie of chickens, ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs, parakeets, turkeys and  k-9s.  It was a great place to grow up!

Joyce was also taught to reuse and repurpose materials. As a result, recycling has long been a part of her art,  but never more so than with her current work in paper mache.

All of her animals are “rescues” because they are constructed in large part from materials rescued from the recycling bin. Plastic bottles, cardboard tubes and  paper become bodies;  layers of newspaper, phone books and such go into the paper mache coatings.  Embellishments range from leather tongues and collars on dogs to guitar string and feather headdresses on the “Burds of Paradise”.   Color is King and brighter is often better to capture the personalities of these “Art-Official Pets”.  In each piece Joyce works to capture a moment of laughter, of friendship, of  fun– to remind us all of the simple joy of a good giggle, the peace of a deep breath and the value of good companions.

So stop by for some Coffee & Conversation. Or call ahead to the Palm Cafe’ (298.DFAC ext 237) and have lunch waiting for you!

Coffee and Conversation with Joyce Curvin – Thursday, January 12th, 2017 at 12 Noon.

for more info call 727-298-DFAC,

Dunedin Fine Art Center – 1143 Michigan Blvd. – Dunedin, FL 34698