Three hundred people attended a reception at the Elliott Museum on April 13th, to celebrate 4 artists currently exhibiting in the Elliott's South Gallery. Watercolorist, Norma DeSantis, acrylic artist, Margaret Gary, watercolorist Marguerite Swigler and sculptor Felix Martinez will be exhibting. the exhibit titled "LOCALCOLOR" willbeat the Elliott through May 15, 2006.
Award winning artist Norma DeSantis, a favorite in the Martin County area, has demonstrated her unique watercolor technique several times at the Elliott museum and throughout the community. "Norma Draws a crowd wherever she goes", said Marlee Matheson, member of the Historical Society of Martin County Board of Directors and Chair of the Elliott Museum Gallery Committee. "These artists were selected, not only because of their popularity within our community, but because their styles work so well together. This will be a spectacular show!"
Visual artist Margaret Gray is a long time Martin County resident. She is a signature member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society and has received both 1 st place in oils and 'Best of Show' in the Palm City Art Associates annual show. She was also the featured poster artist for Artigras and our own Artsfest.
Marguerite Swigler, a South Florida resident since 1950, centers her interest in watercolor media, with the creation of the human figure, nature, animals and floral design. "I strive for transparency, freshness of images, shapes and forms", said Swigler "Each of my art teachers passed on knowledge and encouragement that has help me develop my style". Swigler is a member of numerous art organizations throughout Florida.
Felix Martinez relocated form the suburbs of Chicago to Florida's Treasure Coast in 1992, and in 1995 began teaching in the Martin County school system as an artist in residence. Today he owns 'Studio Felix Martinez' in Stuart, where he teaches creative sculpturing, emphasizing realism, body structures and detailed delicate forms.
Exhibit pieces will be for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Elliott Museum.

Headquartered at the Elliott Museum on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, The Historical Society of Martin County was founded in 1956 and operates both the Elliott Museum and The House of Refuge Museum at Gilbert's Bar. It is a private non-profit institution and relies on its 800-plus members to continue the mission of educating the community about the richness of our area. The Elliott Museum houses one of the finest collections of American antiques, decorative arts, baseball memorabilia and vintage automobiles that celebrate the Golden Age of American creativity, and of course, local and Florida history.

For more information about the Historical Society of Martin County, membership or educational programming please call 772-225-1961.

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