Carol Perers

Her work is in corporate and private collections from Melbourne to London. And, she'll be doing an Abstract Expressionist demonstration at our May 21st General membership meeting, so be ready to watch Carol do her thing! She'll be focusing on layering technique using acrylics - think LARGE.

Former President of the Fifth Avenue Gallery and Artists Forum, Carol is "The Wednesday Group" phenomenon whose art dazzled at the off-beat all-woman show this lively bunch held at Henegar Center for the Arts a couple years ago.

Carol Perers's first teacher was Bill Schultz, although she studies with Mona Jordan, and worked with Frits van Eeden off and on for 20 years. She was happily and heavily influenced by Ellen Plankey and Marlis Newman and college professor Steve Aimone, who academically stimulated her mind and geared her toward her current medium. "It was a philosophy. It was a progression starting of with Realism and Impressionism and going more toward abstracts," she says of her change. Watercolors were first, then acrylics, and finally oils, which she favors. Perers spent ten years traveling between New York and Winter Park. Having two daughters in Manhattan gave her the opportunity to plunge full steam into the art scene in New York.

Her degree in theater is evident in her whimsical work, and she's gone to several schools of art north & south (where she got her BA with art/theater major). Many solo, juried, gallery, and museums shows later (BMAS, Vero, Orlando, & more), she's exuberant as ever, art being her hobby as well as her vocation. It's no surprise private collectors in America and England prize her work enough to make an impressive list.

When her daughter was only 3 years old, she's draw murals on the family walls with magic marker to Perers initial horror. Yet Carol decided it was actually a GOOD thing and her interest in art was renewed. She and her daughter BOTH became artists. That was the beginning of what she decided to make her career, This fortuitous incident is interesting because Carol spent ages 15-21 in summer stock theater, and thought drama was to be her life. But motherhood changed all that and it seems this very unusual beginning was fateful........evidently there IS a reason for everything.

"The agony and ecstasy" is the way Carol describes her particular art process. "It's high highs and low lows. It's the ultimate form of expression. Your soul needs to be conveyed. I love shapes and bigger shapes and images and lots of color - contemporary art. Abstract Expressionism gives me the most satisfaction."

Perers was the featured artist at Audio-Video Interiors four years ago at the Oaks Mall in Melbourne. During the early 90s she was lucky enough to be juried into the McRae Street Gallery in Orlando along with Grady Kimsey. Doing contemporary work in studio space, it was similar to the Torpedo Factory. She is proud of this "lucky break." Being in ArtWorks Orlando for 3 years running was also a positive experience.

Carol teaches experimental layering at the Guild in downtown Melbourne, a cool place with an extraordinary atmosphere and history. "My class is for the artist who wants to express themselves at a deeper level." For information on classes call 956-6271. Carol's art may be seen at Art Vu Gallery in Cocoa Village. Stay Tuned.

Written by Siri German