Events

LAKELAND, FL- The Loft Art Gallery is pleased to spotlight the historical and emotional paintings of February’s featured artist, Eluster Richardson.

Richardson’s paintings make their Loft debut during First Friday festivities on Feb. 7. Downtown visitors are invited to a free reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres from 6 – 9 p.m.

“My work primarily encompasses people and their expressions, so I may reflect their emotions through my painting,” says Richardson. I work primarily in watercolor, which is an additional challenge. However, I love the depth of color I can achieve with oils.”

The subjects of his paintings mostly include historic personages, North Florida sites, and children - like his daughter, Jasmine - who are especially fun, he says.

Richardson’s bragging rights include numerous awards, past displays at the Bethune-Cookman College fine art gallery in Daytona Beach, and the Zora Neale Hurston Museum in Eatonville. He is also the artist-in-residence for the Riley House Museum and Resource Center of African-American History and Culture, which is also home to a collection of his historical works.

Stop by and take in some fine art and history from an award-winning painter – right here in Downtown Lakeland.

The Loft Art Gallery is located upstairs in Paint Along Studios in Lakeland
at 123 S. Kentucky Ave. Hours are: Mondays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Tuesdays-Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturdays, 5-10 p.m. Call (863) 409-5771 for more information or visit www.loftartgallerydowntown.com.