Margaret Egli-Thomson Workshop Coming Soon!

Painting of Italian Landscape - from Margaret Egli-Thomson's 2009 trip to Italy

If you love beautiful , luscious color, then you'll love Margaret Egli-Thomson.

Margaret's lasting impressions of the beautiful places in which she has lived and painted have been transmitted to the canvas in her very own neo-impressionist style that is both uplifting, engaging and ultimately inspiring.

Born in Ireland to a Scotch father and no-nonsense Irish mother, the artist's first lasting impression of a landscape was at five years old, while she was living in Wales. Here she created her first works of art using the primary colors and applying paint with matchsticks and any paper that could be found. Her life experiences in Wales, Ireland, Italy and Canada all brought new light temperatures and new opportunities to paint the changing landscape en plein air- a challenge that Margaret welcomed and embraced. A move to the Sunshine state brought Margaret to Florida in 2000, and of all the countries in which she has lived and painted, Margaret claims that nothing can compare to the light quality in Florida!

"Dearborne Street", Englewood Florida-Painted en plein air

Margaret will be teaching a workshop on how to paint in the neo-impressionist style at the North Port Art Center on Friday, March 26th and Friday, April 2nd from 9 to 3:30PM. Bring your lunch and leave the workshop with a completed heirloom painting that you will proudly hang in your home and cherish for years to come!

The North Port Art Center is very pleased to welcome Margaret! Please call (941)423-6460 to sign up for either or both workshops. The fee for one workshop is $50, or sign up for both and pay only $85. Class size is limited , so secure your place now and learn the joy of painting in Margaret's passionate, energetic neo-impressionistic style!

To see more samples of Margaret Egli-Thomson's work, please visit her website here.


Self Portrait- Margaret Egli-Thomson

Peg Furlin Watercolor Canvas workshop this Wednesday!

Hurry! Time is running out to sign up now for Peg Furlin's Watercolor Workshop to be held on February24th from 10 to 3!

This is an incredible opportunity to sign up for a one day workshop with popular outstanding watercolor artist, Peg Furlin at the low workshop price of only $35!

Primarily a self taught watercolorist, Peg divides her time between Wisconsin and Florida and likes to attend at least one workshop a year to help with inspiration and motivation. In the past she has studied with Zoltan Szabo, Tom Francesconi, Barbara Nechis, and Ratindra Das among others, and is a member of the Wisconsin Watercolor Society,the Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspersons as well as the Lake Mills Art Alliance. . Over the years, she has developed a style that is loose, colorful and boldly unique! All of Peggy's original work is now done on watercolor canvas, as she loves the effects it helps her produce and the freedom it provides. The best part is that it requires no matting or glass...even framing is optional!

Peg likes to call it..."Watercolor...Outside the Lines".

The Workshop will be held Wednesday, February 24th at The North Port Art Center. The cost of the Workshop is only $35, and the hours will be from 10 to 3PM. Please call (941) 423-6460 to register.

Welcome to The North Port Art Center

From left to right, Nancy Colby, Pat Mumper and Maryanne Jacobsen at a recent gallery reception

Welcome to the North Port Art Center's blog!

Here you'll find the latest news about the most current classes and workshops offered at the North Port Art Center, located in North Port, Florida (near Venice, Englewood, Punta Gorda and Sarasota in Southwest Florida). Stop by this blog often for the latest buzz on exhibits, local artist news, gift shop offerings and much more!

You'll also find interesting information about the neighboring community, as well as special events, Art Center news and the latest on the very special artists, teachers and members who comprise the very heart of the Center. Please feel free to comment and don't forget to visit our official website here!

Featured above are the first, second and third place winners in the Art Center's most recent exhibit, "Wide World of Animals", which runs through February 26th. Watercolor artist Nancy Colby took the first place ribbon, followed by multi-media artist Pat Mumper and oil painter Maryanne Jacobsen respectively. In addition to an incredibly diverse exhibit of animals, at the opening reception, viewers were also treated to the fabulous landscapes of internationally recognized award-winning local artist, Ron Sanders. On display at the reception was Ron's award-winning painting "Triple Self Portrait", which won first place in the portrait/figurative division of The Artist's Magazine's 2009 competition! Ron can be seen below after being introduced by Director Carol Neagles at the recent opening reception.

For more information about classes, workshops and exhibit opportunities at the North Port Art Center, please call (941)423-6460 .