2017 Artists Announced for the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art

ORLANDO, April 4, 2017 – The Orlando Museum of Art announces the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art artists for 2017: Domingo Castillo, William Cordova, Coco Fusco, Mark Gerstein, Aramis Gutierrez, Dana Hargrove, Lisa Iglesias, Carl Juste, Ralph Provisero, and Chase Westfall. Each artist featured in this exhibition will be represented by a recent body of work that provides an in-depth view of their practice.

The Presenting Sponsor for The Florida Prize in Contemporary Art 2017 is Sam Flax. The exhibition opening party will be on June 2, 2017 and the exhibition will be on view through August 20, 2017.

Sam Flax is an important part of the Orlando art community and a major resource for artists, architects, collectors, galleries and museums throughout the region. “The Florida Prize in Contemporary Art underscores both the Orlando Museum of Art’s, and Sam Flax’s, commitment to the art of our time and to supporting artists and the production of new scholarship about art,” said Glen Gentele, Director & CEO, Orlando Museum of Art.

These artists are making a difference and range from emerging to mid-career—some with substantial international recognition. In all cases, they are artists whose achievements are marked by a record of significant exhibitions and awards. Included in this year’s exhibition are painters, sculptors and photographers, along with artists working in multiple disciplines that bring together conceptual art, video, performance and installation.

“As a group these artists are responding to many of the difficult issues of the moment,” said Hansen Mulford, Curator at the Orlando Museum of Art. “With some artists, these issues are as specific as political violence in Syria or the urgency of an election in Haiti; while other artists engage more universal concerns of social justice, cultural identity and the importance of art in interpreting the challenges of contemporary life. The Florida Prize in Contemporary Art is an opportunity to explore a range of ideas that are relevant today as expressed by these artists in exciting and visually provocative works of art,” continued Mulford.

The Florida Prize in Contemporary Art is organized by the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) and brings new recognition to the vitality of the visual arts in the State today. Now in its fourth year, the 2017 exhibition will showcase work by ten outstanding artists.

The exhibition Opening Preview Party will be on June 2, 2017 from 7-10pm. The ticketed event will feature a sampling of the culinary artistry of Orlando’s most sensational restaurants and caterers sponsoring the event, each offering dishes inspired by the 10 Florida Prize artists. Guests can also enjoy beer, wine and specialty cocktails from our beverage sponsors, mingle with the artists, listen to great live music, explore the exhibition and create the best social/cultural mix to be experienced in the State.

Funds from the event will support the “Prize” and the Florida Prize recipient will be announced at the event. Guests will also have the opportunity to cast a “People’s Choice” vote for their favorite artist. For more information on The Florida Prize in Contemporary Art and the Opening Preview Party, please visit www.omart.org. For press images or additional information, please contact Michael Caibio, Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations Manager, at mcaibio@omart.org or at 407.896.4231 ext. 233.

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Dana Hargrove, Cairn, 2013, acrylic on uncut mdf, 5 panels, relief painting, 130 x 48 in. Courtesy of Bridgette Mayer Gallery. © Dana Hargrove. Image courtesy of Snap! Orlando.