Handwoven lace is done with many techniques: pattern weaving - surface texture created by selecting certain peddles and harnesses with which to lift the yarns; or open weaves - lifting and twisting with other yarns. Because the yarns are literally finger-picked on the loom and crossed while weaving, the loom beater can't   beat them into a tight position, thus leaving open spaces.
But best of all, I shape the open lace-work into recognizable images. Over the years I've created a series within shawls. These are customized with whatever sea images you'd like. (Other flora & fauna available, too, as well as other styles of tops or wraps.)
http://www.alicecappa.com/index.html

Melinda Copper has been painting and sculpting since childhood.  She received a BFA in painting from Florida State University in 1984 and has been a professional artist ever since, working with her husband, Bob on many varied projects.  At this time, she is working solo in acrylic painting depicting her other love- animals and the way they fit into their environment, be it a swamp or a couch.   Melinda has also illustrated several children’s books that are available at the gallery gift shop.
http://melindacopper.net


 

Melanie Mays is the current Past President of Jefferson Arts Gallery, having served as President for 2 terms. She is a fiber artist, who works in crochet, knitting and knitting board design. Melanie is a published designer and teacher of fiber arts. She began crocheting at the age of 7, learning the craft from her grandmother, Ina Melton Austin. Today, Melanie is a Certified Level I Instructor and Level II Teacher through the Craft Yarn Council of America (CYCOA) and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. Melanie owns the internet/craft business, Diva Crochet. Her product, the Old Fashioned Knitting Board, is sold to yarn and craft stores in the USA, Canada, and Europe. Melanie is the past Vice-President and Corresponding Secretary for the New York City Crochet Guild. She is the Founder of the Tallahassee Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America. She is also a member of the Crochet Guild of America. For Jefferson Arts Gallery, Melanie wrote and administered a $25,000 matching funds grant through FDOC, helping to provide art and arts education for school children, homeschooled children, teens, and the elderly through the Travel Arts Outreach Grant. Melanie also teaches piano; dance; produces, directs, choreographs, and writes children's theatre and music. She  is the new Executive Director for the Monticello - Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.

Bill Moon, a native of North Florida, fell in love with the beauty of nature and its creatures, at a very young age. This talented musician and artist learned to express this admiration of wildlife by teaching himself to carve. He is the co-founder of Jefferson Arts, Inc., having served as its President for five years. Bill is also a talented musician. he plays guitar and sings with his wife, Lissa Moon, in several bands: The Chaotics, DownHome, and Celebration. He is member of the First United Methodist Church in Monticello. He performs with his bands and sings in the choir. Most days, Bill can be found in his workshop at the gallery or practicing with one of his many groups.

Bio to come

Alice became interested in pursuing her love of art while her husband, Roger, and she were working overseas on Kwajalein Island in the South Pacific. Taking classes and workshops from the Pacific to the deserts of New Mexico, the beaches of St. Pete to nature in  Monticello, she painted in watercolor, pastels, oils and acrylic and has shown her work in various shows and exhibits.

 

Gail Valderrama began to express her interest in art when she was ten and began to draw animals on the family farm. When her family moved to Florida, she continued that interest by enrolling in art classes at North Florida Community College.

I am interested in oil, watercolor, drawing, ceramics, crocheting, and weaving. I like to hike, backpack, canoe, and have traveled from Oregon to Alabama, North Georgia, North Carolina and Maine on the Appalachian Trail, as well as the Florida Trail in the Big Bend area. I like to include nature in my art work deliberately. I started drawing, wheel-throwing pottery, and weaving while in school at University of Western Oregon and most of my artistic educational experience is from Florida State University. I feel that my art work is influenced by years of self-reflection and what I have learned about myself, I attempt to mold into an expression of my feelings about life through art. I am a follower of Nichiren Buddhism and have been a member of the Buddhist lay organization called Soka Gakkai International-USA since 2001. I was born in Boulder, Colorado in 1953. I've lived in Norman, Oklahoma; Monmouth and Salem, Oregon; Bonifay, Florida and I'm currently living in Lloyd, Florida. My household friends are my five dogs, three cats, two birds, and 16 chickens who take up most of my time, love, and energy.