Gallery to showcase lifelong work of Hollis Garland Jeffcoat
The first exhibit to open the new season at the Watson MacRae Gallery on Sanibel will showcase the lifelong work of abstract expressionist painter Hollis Garland Jeffcoat, who passed away in April.
“A Retrospective Tribute ‘My Life in Paint'” will debut at the gallery on Nov. 15 with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. for the public. A fifth-generation Fort Myers native, Jeffcoat studied at the New York Studio School and in Vetheuil, France. A nature painter who put feelings into her work, her pieces can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Morgan Library and museums in Quebec.
“She had big ties to Sanibel,” gallery owner and life partner Maureen Watson said.
She noted that Jeffcoat delivered provisions to the islands with her father on the old ferry.
“She is a highly recognized artist and highly talented,” Watson said.
The retrospective exhibit, which Jeffcoat opted for over a celebration of life stating that “my paintings are my celebration of life,” will feature pieces from throughout her career from beginning to end.
“From all of the periods in her career,” she said.
Watson estimated that there will be 30 to 40 pieces on display for sale and they will include prints, paintings and drawings. There will even be unseen work Watson came across in Jeffcoat’s studio.
“There are pieces that I just found that I haven’t seen before,” she said.
“They can expect to see some museum-quality art,” Watson added.
A large turnout is expected at the opening reception, with former students Jeffcoat was a BIG ARTS teacher for years collectors and even old high school friends planning to attend in a show of love.
“Hollis was extremely loved because she loved the people she met,” Watson said.
“They’re all coming to celebrate Hollis,” she added.
The exhibit will run through December.
From January to April, Watson will rotate through monthly exhibits.
“I always have a new exhibit every month, and it’s always themed,” she said.
The gallery showcases artwork from artists from around the country.
January will be works on paper from modern masters, featuring one or two pieces from “big name” artists. Garden party will mark February with ceramics, fibers and paintings, Watson explained.
“That is going to be fun and frothy,” she said.
The theme for March old Florida will feature different kinds of work from state-based artists, while April will wrap up with Watson’s usual summary show, featuring pieces from throughout the season.
She noted that while Jeffcoat’s gallery-wide exhibit concludes at the end of December, she plans to dedicate one section of the space solely to her pieces during the season, rotating through pieces.
“Because you can’t see all of her work in just one show,” Watson said.
The community is encouraged to come out and celebrate Jeffcoat’s life and work.
“It will show people the progression of her career in paint,” she said of the retrospective exhibit. “It will show how an artist’s style changes and evolves over their career.”
For more information, contact 239-472-3386.
The Watson MacRae Gallery is at 2340 Periwinkle Way, Suite G1.