Tom Dowling
(863) 297-1051

PCC’S Fine Arts Gallery Exhibits Features Sculpture & Other Creations By PCC’S Professional Artist In Residence

02/01/2007: Martha Nash, Polk Community College’s Professional Artist in Residence, is currently exhibiting her work at the PCC Fine Arts Gallery on the Winter Haven campus.

            The Arkansas native, who now lives in Lake Wales, has been an artist for 30 years. Her contemporary sculpture, ceramics and mixed media creations will be on display through Feb. 17. The Fine Arts Gallery is open 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Admission is free.

Martha earned a Bachelors Degree in Art from Harding University, Searcy, AR. She anticipates starting graduate school at the University of South Florida in Tampa this fall. Martha moved to Florida in 1982 and sought jobs in the entertainment field utilizing her artistic skills. She worked at Sea World as a scenic artist and soon landed a position at Walt Disney World. Her time at Disney eventually allowed her to realize her lifelong dream to work as a sculptor.

Since then, she has worked independently painting murals, designing and building custom furniture, as well as developing a special sculpture series called “Tek-No-Hiro-Glphics” which resembles ancient Egyptian art forms. Some of the pieces on display at PCC are from this series.

In 1995, Martha was named “Artist in Residence” at PCC. She is responsible for certain areas of the management of the ceramics room, special firing techniques, the glaze-mixing room, and teaching students how to “throw” clay on the potter’s wheel. She also has worked with PCC students in developing career plans and managing equipment in the ceramic room.

The public is invited to the Fine Arts Gallery weekdays 10 a.m. to noon. Admission is free. For more information call 297-1050.