The Professional Artists of St. Augustine (PAStA) Fine Art Gallery, of 214 Charlotte St., St. Augustine, will feature member artist and PAStA president, Valarie Pothier-Forrester’s work in two mediums during the month of December.
Her plein air oil paintings and alcohol ink paintings will be exhibited and for sale in the main gallery at PAStA. A reception for the artist will be held during the First Friday Artwalk from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1. The public is welcome, and the event is free. Live music and light fare will be available.
“I consider myself to be a life-long learner,” Pothier-Forrester said. “After so many years of teaching young people, and learning from them, I know that to not try something is to never know. So, I’m constantly trying new techniques, experimenting with new materials and striving for mastery. I may never reach that lofty goal, but the journey there is great ride!”
Pothier-Forrester has a long history of working in the arts. She received her Bachelor of Art Education, and her Master of Arts from the University of Florida. She worked as an artist/preparator for the Florida Museum of Natural History creating exhibits and designing graphics for various events. As part of her master’s degree internship, she wrote curriculum for student visits to the Harn Museum of Art in Gainesville, Florida, as well as interpretive labels for specific exhibit artifacts.
She taught art in Alachua County for almost 30 years at the high school and middle school levels and was once honored to have been named teacher of the year.
She now lives in St. Augustine where she is active painter and creator. Her work has been shown at a number of galleries in North Florida, Georgia and Canada. She is a member of the First Coast Plein Air Painters and is a member of the St. Augustine Art Association.
Over the years, she has received numerous awards for both her alcohol ink paintings and her plein air art work.
See her work at pastagalleryart.com. Her website is vpforrester.com/dataviewer.asp.
