ARTIST IN RESIDENCE NAMED FOR 2008 – 2009

Robert Steiger, Park Manager of Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park announces the selection of Carol McArdle as “Resident Artist” for 2008. This is the second year for the park to have a resident artist. Carol has been an exhibitor at the Park’s annual art show held in January of each year. The resident artist does art work that represents our park and its natural features – the Real Florida which Carol has a gift of depicting.

Carol was born in Jamaica but grew up in England. She became an American citizen in 2001 after moving to Florida, a place she feels is “finally home.” Carol studied art at the West Surrey College of Art and Design in England. Carol is multi-talented working in many mediums, styles and in multiple art fields. In the past some of her pub signs in Ireland were used on a Tom Cruise movie set, she has done graphic art and illustration, designed needlepoint and done faux finishing and murals.

Her latest series of paintings is a collection of Florida landscapes and wildlife in oil and acrylic, with a growing interest in her photography of the state parks and other preserved land she studies for inspiration.

The artist will not literally reside at the park but will commute from her home in Ft. Myers monthly to take pictures and paint. Carol will have a one person show at the park in December of 2008 to exhibit and sell her art. Signage will be displayed at the Park gate when Carol is working at the Park.

Quote from Carol's blog:
" I believe that all my artwork has something to say, something that contributes a positive vibe, shows a unique angle, exposes beauty that may not have been noticed if I hadn't exposed it, gives people a moment of joy in their busy lives, reminds people of something important such as taking care of our environment. I could go on and on. But rather than reading about it, why not just look at it. Go to my website www.carolsheart.com"