Former Artist of the Year Donna Burgess closes retail door
Walton County Tourist Development Council's reception for 2008 Artist of the Year Donna Burgess Jan. 7 at her Sandestin gallery held a dual purpose.
Holding center stage at the reception was the artist's commissioned artwork, "Two if by Sea," a depiction of marine life found along Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast and the Beaches of South Walton.
"Two if by Sea" will join the WCTDC's Art in Public Places program. While the Artist of the Year's artwork is usually displayed locally, this painting will hang in Florida Speaker of the House Ray Samson's office in Tallahassee, where it will be on loan for two years. Burgess and the Beaches of South Walton will be recognized on a plaque below the artwork. After two years, the painting will return to Walton County where it will be permanently displayed in a public location as part of Art in Public Places.
Burgess has been a part of the local art scene for more than 20 years and is well known in the area for her whimsical watercolors featuring tin-roof beach cottages, animals, children at play, and marine creatures. Throughout the years her paintings have become a popular among locals and visitors.
Her use of bright vivid colors in her "Two if by Sea" piece captures the elegant beauty of great white herons, sea turtles and dolphins frolicking in colorful shades of bright blue, aqua and green water.
The artist has owned galleries in Destin as well as one at Seaside for 14 years. Her gallery at The Market Shops at Sandestin has been open for nine years.
Burgess's award-winning festival posters have promoted the Destin Seafood Festival, Destin Fishing Rodeo, Seaside Memorial Day, the Sandestin Wine Festival, the TDC's Autumn Tides events and the prestigious Coconut Grove Arts Festival.
Her work can be found in Hilton hotels, Embassy Suites, McDonald's, the Westinghouse Corp., Seaside Development Corp., and in the collections of jazz musician Herbie Mann and former President George Bush.
Burgess is also known for her philanthropic endeavors. Her painting inspired by the events of 9/11 raised more than $50,000 for the New York Police Department and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund and her Labrador retriever images benefited the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind.
However, after 25 years in retail, Burgess has closed her gallery and left the retail business. She is keeping a place at the Market Shops at Sandestin where she will teach her three-day workshops, take commissions, and continue her Wednesday "Meet the Artist" day, but it will no longer include retail sales of artwork.
Burgess blames her decision partly on the poor economy, but also said she has wanted to do this for a long time.
"The retail sales are way down, but my classes are full and my commission work has doubled. I guess the clients that can afford original paintings are less affected. But mostly I've had enough of retail and long hours, etc. I want to have more time to paint and spend with my family," she said.
Burgess will place her original artwork in area galleries and continue to offer her prints online.
"I love my classes and the commission work and now will have more time to paint and be a grandmother," she said. "It seemed like the right time."
Burgess will be available by appointment to discuss her original artwork and giclees.
"This is not sad for me, it's just a new chapter," she said.
