Meet the Artists (August 2013): Katherine Marra & Isabella Kontrick

Senior Artist and 10-Year-Old Author Featured at Art Walk

GULFPORT, FL:  Domain Home Accessories & Gallery will host a reception showcasing the work of a local senior artist and a young author during its next “Meet the Artists” event on Saturday, August 17th, 6 to 10 p.m.  Artist Katherine Marra, age 66, will be on hand to show and discuss her paintings and drawings of wildlife, pets and other subjects.  Ten-year-old Isabella Kontrick, author of the recently published “Barracuda’s Curse” (2013, Trace Taylor Publishing), will also appear during the event to discuss and sign her book.  “Meet the Artists” will take place at “& Gallery” (3129 Beach Blvd. South in Gulfport).  Complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be offered.
 
Katherine Marra grew up near Boston and studied commercial and fine art in formal settings as well as in individual classes with seasoned artists.  She took a break from the pursuit of art while raising a family.  She has lived locally now for several years and returned to art work after relocating with her husband to Florida.  She has worked in pen and ink, pencil, charcoal and pastels.  A primary focus of her work is animal life, including birds and lizards.  Appropriately, she has accomplished several paintings of lizards and geckos, which are celebrated this month during Gulfport’s annual GeckoFest.  She also specializes in pet portraiture and accepts commissions from clients who would like a keepsake portrait of their own pets.  She enjoys talking to the pets, bringing out their expressions and individuality, while capturing them in her art.

Isabella Kontrick enters the fourth grade this year.  Born in Mexico, she moved to the U.S. at age two in 2005.  She is an avid reader and writer, creating poems, song stories and even screenplays.  During her third grade year in 2012, she was a participant in the first annual Gulfport Youth Book Writing Workshop Series and Contest.  The manuscript she entered for the contest, “Barracuda’s Curse,” was chosen winner in the 1st-3rd grade category.  The idea for the story was inspired by a recent trip to the Florida Keys.  In developing the published book, Isabella also created a collage for the cover, as well as line drawings that introduce each chapter.  She is already at work on her next book, as well as a film project with some of her peers.

The Youth Book Writing event continues this year, beginning September 14th.  All Pinellas County students from grades 1 through 12 are invited to participate in this free community program.  Participants attend weekly two-hour workshops for two months as they receive mentoring from local professionals in the skills of writing, editing and publishing.  Educational and publishing professionals form an advisory panel that judges the finished entries.  Winners in each category are then guided through the process of editing their manuscripts in preparation for publication.  The event includes sponsors and collaborators including Pinellas County Schools, the City of Gulfport, Gulfport Public Library and local businesses.  Trace Taylor Publishing produces the event.  For more information on the Youth Writing program, email TraceTaylorPublishing@gmail.com. 

“& Gallery” opened in Fall 2012 in the space adjacent to Domain Home Accessories, one of Gulfport’s most popular retailers for more than 12 years, specializing in “functional art for the home.”  “& Gallery” showcases the work of over 40 local and regional artists.  “Meet the Artists” events at “& Gallery” occur on the third Saturday of each month during Gulfport’s popular Art Walk.  Artists and artisans line the sidewalks of scenic Beach Blvd. on Art Walk evenings.  Independent shops and boutiques, live glassblowing demonstrations and classes at the Industrial Arts Center, live music venues, street performers, and Gulfport’s many popular restaurants are all part of the lively Art Walk scene.  Parking in the Waterfront village is free and convenient.  For more information, contact Daniel Hodge, (727) 366-4086 or email dan@igc.org.