Tom Dowling
(863) 297-1051

Winter Haven Sculptor Exhibits During November & December at PCC Gallery

11/01/2006: Award winning sculptor Al Kriston will exhibit some of his work at the Polk Community College Fine Arts Gallery, Winter Haven campus from Nov. 6 to Dec. 8.

            There will be a reception in the gallery on Nov. 6, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. 

The exhibition features brightly painted metal sculptures, illuminated by black lights.

            Kriston calls his show “Drawing in Steel” because his work looks very much like brightly colored large scale drawings mounted on the wall. Moving around the exhibition the viewer discovers different forms of art. “Flowing from one work to the next the viewer will experience music, photography, skating, dancing and fantasy, imagination– thus giving them a chance to draw on their own sense of experiences,” said Kriston.

            Kriston’s work has appeared in numerous shows, exhibitions and collections, including a private commission for Senator Lawton Childs and one at the Davenport School of Arts, where he conducted a student workshop for the school’s sculpture program. He has won numerous awards, including: the News Chief Banner Award and the Ridge Art Award of Excellence.

            His chosen materials fit in perfectly with the element he wishes to portray– whimsy in drawings of narrow steel, aluminum, fiberglass, stained glass, plaster and even polyester. His moods vary from material to material… leading into a direction of continuity reaching towards the heavens or evolving upwards, outwards and back to earth or water.

            Kriston has been plying his art since he was nine and his father founded a plaster business in Winter Haven. The youngster picked up a trowel and hawk and learned under his father’s tutelage how to plaster houses. He also learned the ART of plaster and the wonderful world of sculpture opened up to him.

            The PCC Gallery is open weekdays 10 a.m. to noon. Admission is free.