The Novgorod Alliance partnered with Art Center Sarasota to bring four Velikiy Novgorod artists to Sarasota, Florida for the second part of the Artists’ Exchange Program begun in October 2004. The four artists were chosen by exhibition curator Kevin Costello, art educator and writer, and included Boris Nepomnyaschiy (pastel and printmaking Artist), Dmitry Zhuravlev (Painter), Nadya Dzyuba (Fiber Artist) and Vladimir Yarish (Basketry Artist).

The Sarasota Art Center

The two-week visit in March (11 – 26) was full of interesting experiences – from missing a connection in Atlanta, lost luggage, jet lag (of course), and quick adaptation to life in the artists’ “fast lane” in Sarasota. A visit to Siesta Beach on Sunday afternoon provided them with a picnic and the participation in the “Drumming” event before sunset. A two-day visit to Orlando gave them an overview of Disney World and Animal Kingdom.

The primary focus of the exchange was a one-month exhibition of art by these four artists. The front gallery of Art Center provided a wonderful space to spotlight the paintings, prints, pastels, tapestries and baskets created by these four artists. The Opening Reception was lively and attended by more than 300 people. The “Art of Travel” exhibition in the Main Gallery tied into the Russian exhibition theme. Longboat Key Art Center collaborated with Art Center Sarasota on the “Art of Travel” theme and work by the four Russian artists was submitted to the exhibition. Two of them received awards in the exhibition!

Curator Kevin Costello presented a talk about the Russian artists work and the connection of their art with historical themes and processes in Russia. An enthusiastic crowd of more than forty people attended and the Russian artists were asked questions about their art and life in Russia as artists. Women Contemporary Artists invited the Russian artists to present a program at one of their meetings. A slide show of Velikiy Novgorod was shown along with slides of the Russians work and discussions about the challenges of an artist’s life in Russia.

Local artists invited the Russian artists to visit their studios…some in commercial spaces and some in their homes. Many thanks go to Melody Oxarart and David Gonya, Peppi Elona and Wendy Surkis, Ruth Hook Colby, and others who generously opened their studios and hearts. Process and materials were discussed and exchanged between the artists.

Lloyd and I hosted the artists in our home and it was a wonderful experience for all of us. The Jacuzzi provided much needed relaxation for everyone at the end of the day.

Each artist taught a class at Art Center Sarasota. Although the attendance was not large, the enthusiasm shown by the students was inspiring for the artists and great friends were made as a result.

My co-chairman for this exchange was Judy Lyons Schneider who had gone with us to Velikiy Novgorod in 2004. We did a lot of brainstorming to make this happen. Both of us think the most amazing part of the visit was the warmth and outreach that was evident from the community of Sarasota and from Novgorod Alliance Board members. Judy Canyock came to Sarasota from Northern Virginia to help with translation and communication for the artists. Since her friendship with the artists was already established, she made them feel so comfortable. We’ll be forever indebted to her, again! George Long came from Frederick Maryland and enjoyed many of the art and social activities associated with the visit.

Perhaps the most interesting connection we made was the finding of Russian-speaking Sarasota residents who were able to help us with day-to- day translation. Not only did these people help us translate, but they invited the Russian artists into their homes for dinners and they became great friends!! Many thanks go toYakov, Tamara, Larisa, Violetta, and Irina to name just a few.

Visits to Selby Botanical Gardens and Ringling Museum were included in the program. A ride along the Braden River in a pontoon boat and lunch at Linger Lodge was hosted by the Griffins, and lunch and/or dinners at the homes of the Kaidens, Marquets, Elonas and Subotkys rounded out the schedule.

An ambitious program like this could never have happened without the help of so many individuals and the community. We are proud to have brought Boris, Dmitry, Nadya and Vladimir to Sarasota and hope that the memories will fill them with warm thoughts.

Judy Kramer

All photos ©2006 by Judy Kramer unless otherwise stated