arts & entertainment

The Galleries at First Pres will offer an opening reception of the Summer Art Show on Sunday, October 23, 2022, from 2:00 to 4:00pm. The show will feature the works of local artists Valerie Cecire, Grace Cormier, and Theresa Kelso. The galleries are located throughout the campus of First Presbyterian Church at 520 Royal Palm Boulevard in Vero Beach. Admission is free, light refreshments will be provided.

Valerie Cecire is a contemporary landscape painter and printmaker as well as abstract artist. Her impressionistic and abstract monotypes, prints, and oils capture the balance and change of light in nature. Through form and color, and motivated by introspective inspiration, Valerie’s compositions emphasize feeling. Her evolving artistic approach is derived from creative intuition. Art pieces are done in plein-air and studio settings and are impressions and concepts derived from nature with abstract dimensions. Valerie has shown her work in Japan, Italy, New York, and Connecticut. Her works are in private collections in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East.

Grace Cormier was born in Szczecin, Poland. At the age of eighteen, she began her new life in the United States, settling in Miami. Her art is mixed medium inspired by nature. There are unique elements incorporated in her paintings, sculptures, textile fiber art and jewelry. She is a member of Vero Beach and Sebastian Art Club. Her art work is exhibited in several local Art Galleries. Many of her paintings received 1st place awards at Art Shows hosted by Eau Gallery in Melbourne, Annex Gallery in Vero Beach, SRAC Annual Art Show, Indian River Bird And Nature Show and the Environmental Learning Center.

After a career as a Clinical Psychologist, art is another form for Dr. Theresa Kelso to express herself and experiment creatively. Art, volunteering and gardening is a natural transition of creativity for her after her retirement.  This First Presbyterian Gallery showing not only displays Dr. Theresa Kelso’s art, but also highlights the importance of art for the young. Living in Florida, she is appreciating the contrasting surroundings in comparison to Minnesota; Florida has beautiful palm trees, tropical wildlife and Atlantic Ocean coast.  Theresa feels there is so much to enjoy in art because it is an expression of all aspects of life. 

The Galleries at First Pres feature a wide variety of works by local artists, on rotation throughout the year. The Galleries are located throughout the campus of First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Boulevard, Vero Beach; they are open for viewing from 12pm to 3pm Monday through Thursday, and on Sunday mornings between church services. Admission is free and open to the community.

For more information, please contact Ginger Lagemann, Music and Arts Administrator, at (772) 562-9088 or ginger@firstpresvero.org.