Mark Fletcher’s Critter Talk: A Solo Exhibit

This exhibit includes examples of Fletcher's paintings, poems and sculpture. It is on display at the ArtPort Gallery from February 1-March 26, 2012.

Since childhood, Mark Fletcher has drawn and painted animals and plants. In his adolescence, he was also interested in sculpture. By the end of high school he had already built his own kick wheel (for throwing pottery) and two wood-fired kilns (for firing it) in his backyard. It was during his apprenticeship with a ceramic artist in Japan that he really developed his art through the medium of clay.

Fletcher lived in Japan for several years and studied sculpture, ceramic design and ink painting. His studio, Turtle Hill Clay Studio, is named for a small town in Kyoto, Japan where Mark and his wife lived. His years of artistic apprenticeship in Japan vitrified his appreciation for nature as an inspirational source.

From his studio adjoining the Apalachicola National Forest in Tallahassee, Fletcher draws detailed observations of plants and animals directly from life. Then he re-creates these experiences with nature in stoneware platters and vessels, sculptures, paintings and poems.

“I hope my art will capture the spirit of nature, encouraging people to see and support the wonder of these plants and animals and their real habitats. Time spent in nature deepens creativity and awakens our connectedness to all life.”

An artist’s talk will be held in the gallery on Saturday, Feb 18th at 2pm and another on Wednesday, March 14th at 2pm. Both Gallery talks will be free and open to the public. See the exhibit, mingle with Mark Fletcher and ask him your questions about his artwork. He'll be leading a discussion of his techniques and inspirations and you're invited to join in.

The ArtPort Gallery is located in the Tallahassee Regional Airport, 3300 Capital Circle SW, and is open daily from 8:00 am until 11:30 pm. All exhibits are in this space are free and open to the public.

This exhibit is one of over a dozen annual exhibitions curated by the Council on Culture & Arts. The exhibit is part of the City of Tallahassee’s Art in Public Places program. For more information about this exhibition, upcoming exhibitions, or the Art in Public Places program, contact Amanda Karioth Thompson at COCA, (850) 224-2500 or amanda@cocanet.org.