Shady Ladies
Press Release
April 18, 2021
Rain threatened but did not dampen the energy at the grand re-opening of Shady Ladies Art Studios and gallery on April 10 at 819 South 8th St. in the Pelican Palms Plaza.
“Just wow!” said Suzanne Prohaska, potter and new participating artist at the gallery. “Rain usually keeps people away but they came anyway.” Gallery partners Linda Hart Green and Mary Libby scrambled some original plans, but were gratified by the turnout. Tents were set up. Beverages moved inside. AmeliaBlues Project delayed their set up to provide the music. The SunshineGrinz food truck brought boxed meals instead of their full menu.
Standing shoulder to shoulder in the gallery, attendees enjoyed finding their friends and themselves in the photos in the opening’s show, “This is Fernandina,” by Christy LeLait. The show features a portrait of the four FOAR from home team members who are preparing to row across the Atlantic Ocean to raise funds and awareness of veterans’ suicide. The show will be on display at the gallery for the next several weeks for those who have yet to see it. Proceeds from the sale of the photos go to benefit the team.
When the rain abated, the Amelia Blues Project’s tunes echoed in the parking lot. Folding chairs came out and dancers gathered on the blacktop. The evening was topped off by artist Julie Delfs providing vocals and drummer Phyllis Free sitting in for regular Jeff Malone on an impromptu soulful tune.