Sculptor B.F.A , M.A.
Area V Chair 2007-2010
Assistant Area Chair 2011-13
FB Administrator 2018-present
Corresponding Secretary 2020
Recording Secretary 2021-2023
Mindy’s Bio:
Award-winning Florida artist, Mindy Z. Colton, originally from New York City, was classically trained in all the traditional arts. She pursued a career in graphic design & illustration while still finding time for her fine art. Mindy eventually chose to leave behind her successful design career to follow her true passion as a full time fine artist. Her love of sculpture is where she has found her greatest artistic satisfaction, recognition and success. Involved with horses her entire life, she chose to combine her passion for both art and horses in her unique sculptural works. She seeks to not just replicate an image of a horse, but to explore the energy, expression and beauty, creating unique sculptures. Mindy has not found a limit to her adventure of expressing her love for horses in her art. Much of her inspiration comes from frequent travels to the west, especially Colorado, where she finds the mountains, cool air, snow, and vistas rejuvenating and a welcome change.
Mindy’s journey in sculpture began with Bronze. But the limitations of the process and cost led her to explore other materials and mediums. She has created monumental sculptures in marine grade aluminum and copper. She has mastered a number of natural materials and combinations to create her very unique sculptural mixed media horses. Her larger horses have carved tree limbs that she finds on her property or that have been cut for storm clearing. She carves off the bark and shapes each leg. She uses various fiber clays, metal rods, copper and aluminum wires, dried grape vines, shells, oriental papers, old maps, vintage postcards, paint, and many other materials, new and recycled in her mixed media works. Mindy has also mastered fired ceramic sculptures, which are also mixed media using steel for her long legs. Some are enhanced with copper manes and tails, semi-precious stone and beads.
Mindy graduated with honors from the renowned High School of Music & Art in New York City, and attended Parson’s School of Design. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Washington University School of Fine Art in St. Louis, and an M.A. from the University of Central Florida. Colton’s award-winning fine art has been exhibited in numerous solo and two-person shows and more than 300 juried and group shows winning numerous awards including many Best in Shows. Her work has been featured in many publications, The Chronicle of the Horse, Horses in Art, Florida Sport Horse, Winter Park Magazine, Sidelines Magazine, Winter Garden Style, Contemporary Sculptors and American Art Collector and more.
Mindy is a three-time State of Florida Grantee and three-time United Arts of Central Florida Grant recipient. Two of these grants were to create large-scale, outdoor sculptures exhibited at Epcot Invitational Flower & Garden Invitational Sculpture Exhibit, and at other outdoor sculpture competitions. She has received Best of Shows, three People’s Choice Awards and they have all found wonderful homes in public venues. She is very proud that she has been awarded three Purchase Awards at the Equine Art Exhibits in the Washington State Thoroughbred Foundation Equine Art Shows, and has two sculptures in the permanent collection of Emerald Downs Racetrack. Mindy’s sculptures have been exhibited in The Boca Raton Museum of Art, The Appleton Museum, Ocala, The Mennello Museum of American Art, Winter Park, FL, The American Association of Equine Art, Georgetown, KY, The Elliott Museum, Stuart, FL, The International Museum of Art, EL Paso, TX, The Pace Performing Arts Center, Parker, CO., The Westchester Arts Center, New York, The Polk Museum of Art Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit and more. Her monumental sculptures have been exhibited in juried Outdoor Sculpture exhibits all over Florida and Arts in Public Places programs.
Artist Statement:
My life long love of and involvement with horses drives my passion to create equine themed art. I create one of a kind and limited edition sculptures in mixed media, bronze, aluminum, wood and other permanent media. I use the horse and other symbols to elicit a feeling or mood or to create a story, sometimes using the horse as vehicles for concepts and metaphors, or just expressing their incredible nature and beauty.
With my unique mixed media sculptures I can indulge my artistic passion to create an endless exploration of media and imagery. Creating in clay, metal, wood, oriental papers, wires, air dry clays, stone, beads, shells, and whatever materials inspire my imagination, I try to evoke the mystery and beauty of the natural form of horses, but also abstracting it to invoke symbolism, mystery and energy.
I live on a small horse farm in rural East Orlando with her husband, and rescue doggie Bonnie and a host of wild animals and birds where she has her studio.
Selected Awards:
2021
National Association of Women Artists Mass, FL, SC, Some Like it Hot II, Best in Sculpture
SOBO Gallery, Winter Garden Art Association, Annual Top Choice Show, Best in Sculpture and Mixed Media
Light, Space & Time International Animals in Art, Third Place in Sculpture
Art League of Daytona Beach Open, Figuratively Speaking Exhibit, Award of Recognition
2020
North Brevard 56th Annual Show, First Place, Mixed Media, Merit, 3-D art
Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, 100% Pure Florida Juried Show, Eau Gallie, FL, Award of Merit
Eau Gallery, Annual Kaleidoscope Juried Art Exhibit, Melbourne, FL, Art Gallery of Viera Award
The ArtList Grand Prize Winner and Banner Feature
Light, Space Online Animals in Art International Show, Third Place 3-Dimensional, Special Recognition & Special Merit
Foosener Museum of Art,, Strawbridge Art League Annual “Visions” Juried Exhibit, Merit Award
Flagler Art League, Animals-Tall, Small, Wild or Not!… First Place
Contemporary Art Gallery On-line, Animals in Art, Best in Show Sculpture
The Art of the Horse International Virtual Art Show, Sculpture Merit Award
2019
Beaux Arts of Central Florida 58th Annual Exhibit Daytona Beach, FL, Best in Show
Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders & Foundation, Auburn, WA, “Horses in Art” Exhibit, First Place, Sculpture
Art League of Daytona Beach, Award of Distinction
Art League of Daytona Beach, Award of Distinction
Illuminarte City of Casselberry, FL, Juried Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, Recognition Award
North Brevard Art League Art Show & Competition, Third Place, Sculpture
2018
North Brevard Art League Art Show & Competition, Titusville, FL, Third Place, Sculpture
Lighthouse Art Center, The Art of Association, Jupiter, FL, Third Place Sculpture,
Women in the Arts Annual Exhibition, Emeritus Honoree Award, City of Orlando Main Library Galleries
North Brevard Art Association Art Competition 54th Annual Juried Art Exhibit, Third Place
Art & Antique Studio Gallery, Kaleidoscope Juried Exhibit, First Place in Sculpture
SOBO Gallery, Winter Garden Art Association, Fourth Annual Top Choice Juried Exhibit, First Place, Sculpture
Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders & Foundation, Horses in Art Show, Auburn WA., Second Place in Sculpture
2017
Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, 100% Pure Florida, Eau Gallie, FL, Second Place
Illuminarte Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, Lake Concord Sculpture Garden, City of Casselberry Finalist
Illuminarte Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, Lake Concord Sculpture Garden, City of Casselberry Finalist
Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders & Foundation “Horses in Art” Exhibit, Third Place, Sculpture
Art Gallery of Viera, Melbourne, FL, Brush With Success Exhibit, Art & Antique Gallery Fine Art Award
2016
St. Augustine Art Association, “Nature & Wildlife” International Juried Exhibit, Artistic Merit Award
Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders & Foundation “Horses in Art” Exhibit,
Equine Art Purse Sculpture Award, and Honorable Mention, Sculpture, Auburn, WA
Art League of Daytona Beach, Members Exhibition” First Place
Beaux Arts Judged Exhibit at the Art League of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach, FL Award of Merit
Beaux Arts Judged Exhibit at the Art League of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach, FL Award of Merit
2015
City Arts Factory, City of Orlando, Ovulation Reunion Exhibit, Orlando, FL Best in Show
Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders & Foundation“Horses in Art” Exhibit, Sculpture, Second Place, Auburn, WA
100% Pure Florida, Fifth Avenue Gallery, Eau Gallie, FL, Award of Merit
Florida Artist Group Annual Symposium, Leepa Rattner Museum of Art, Award of Achievement
Florida Artist Group Annual Symposium, Leepa Rattner Museum of Art, Award of Achievement
Artists Registry Juried Exhibit, City Arts Gallery, Orlando, FL, Award of Merit
Art League of Daytona Beach, Mixing It Up”, Second Place
Art League of Daytona Beach, Mixing It Up”, Second Place
2014
100% Pure Florida, Fifth Avenue Gallery, Eau Gallie, FL, Award of Distinction
St. Augustine Art Association, “Nature & Wildlife” International Juried Exhibit, Third Place
St. Augustine Art Association, “Nature & Wildlife” International Juried Exhibit, Third Place
Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders & Foundation “Horses in Art” Exhibit, Sculpture,
First Place, Auburn, WA Morrie & Joan Alhadeff Purchase Award Purchase Award Permanent collection
First Place, Auburn, WA Morrie & Joan Alhadeff Purchase Award Purchase Award Permanent collection
International Equine Artist, All the Colorful Horses All-Member Exhibit, Outstanding Abstract
50th Annual Titusville, FL Art League, Second Place, Sculpture
2013
The Elliott Museum of Art Celebrating Viva Florida 500 Open Juried Exhibition, Stuart, FL, First Place, Sculpture
St. Augustine Art Association, FL. “Nature & Wildlife” Juried Exhibit, Artistic Merit Award
Osceola Center for the Arts, Kissimmee, FL Best in Show
Titusville Artist’s League 49th Annual Show, Best in Show
Art League of Daytona Beach, All Photography Show, First Place
The Elliott Museum of Art Celebrating Viva Florida 500 Open Juried Exhibition, Stuart, FL, First Place, Sculpture
St. Augustine Art Association, FL. “Nature & Wildlife” Juried Exhibit, Artistic Merit Award
Osceola Center for the Arts, Kissimmee, FL Best in Show
Titusville Artist’s League 49th Annual Show, Best in Show
Art League of Daytona Beach, All Photography Show, First Place
Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders & Foundation, Auburn, WA, “Horses in Art” Exhibit, Sculpture, Second Place
Art League of Daytona Beach Member’s Showcase, Award of Distinction
Strawbridge Art League, Viva Florida 500 Show, Second Place
Art League of Daytona Beach Member’s Showcase, Award of Distinction
Strawbridge Art League, Viva Florida 500 Show, Second Place
2012
Strawbridge Art League, “Visions” Melbourne, FL, First Place
100% Pure Florida, Fifth Avenue Gallery, Eau Gallie, FL, Second Place
The Arts Castle, Equine Jubilee International Art Exhibit, Delaware, Ohio, Honorable Mention
100% Pure Florida, Fifth Avenue Gallery, Eau Gallie, FL, Second Place
The Arts Castle, Equine Jubilee International Art Exhibit, Delaware, Ohio, Honorable Mention
Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders & Foundation “Horses in Art” Exhibit, Sculpture, Auburn, WA
Morrie & Joan Alhadeff Purchase Award, Sculpture & Second Place, Auburn WA.
Strawbridge Art League, Visions” Melbourne, FL, First Place,
Gateway Center for the Arts, Smithsonian Museum, “Odyssey” Debary, FL, Honorable Mention
Titusville Artist’s League Annual Exhibit, Titusville, FL. First Place Sculpture
Strawbridge Art League, Visions” Melbourne, FL, First Place,
Gateway Center for the Arts, Smithsonian Museum, “Odyssey” Debary, FL, Honorable Mention
Titusville Artist’s League Annual Exhibit, Titusville, FL. First Place Sculpture
2011
Strawbridge Art League, Melbourne, FL “Water” Fine Arts Exhibit, First Place
National Sculpture Society Juried on-line exhibit, “Love” New York, N.Y., Lee Hutt. FNSS, Juror
Fourth Annual Juried International Equine Art Exhibit, Picture This Gallery, Lebanon, OH, Best in Show
Strawbridge Art League, Melbourne, FL “Water” Fine Arts Exhibit, First Place
National Sculpture Society Juried on-line exhibit, “Love” New York, N.Y., Lee Hutt. FNSS, Juror
Fourth Annual Juried International Equine Art Exhibit, Picture This Gallery, Lebanon, OH, Best in Show
Art League of Daytona Beach Members Exhibition, First Place, Sculpture
J. R. Williams Nature & Wildlife National Art Exhibition, St. Augustine Art Association, Award of Merit
Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders & Foundation National Exhibit, Auburn WA.,
Second Place Sculpture & Trophy Purchase Award
Osceola Center for the Arts Juried Open Exhibition, Best in Show
Titusville Art League 46th Annual Exhibit, FL, Second Place, Sculpture
Art League of Daytona Beach Open Juried Exhibition, “American Stories,” First Place
Strawbridge Art League, Melbourne, FL Annual Fine Arts Vision Exhibit, Best in Show
Brevard Art Museum Strawbridge Art League, “Go Green” Exhibit, Third Place, Sculpture
2010
Art League of Daytona Members Showcase, Best in Show
Art Affair Gallery, “Art Across the USA” National Juried Exhibit, Sanford, FL Best of Show
Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders & Foundation National Exhibit, Auburn WA., First Place Sculpture & Purchase Award
Art League of Daytona Members Showcase, Best in Show
Art Affair Gallery, “Art Across the USA” National Juried Exhibit, Sanford, FL Best of Show
Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders & Foundation National Exhibit, Auburn WA., First Place Sculpture & Purchase Award
Titusville Art League 46th Annual Exhibit, Best of Show
Dancing Horse Farm 4th Annual Juried Equine Exhibit, Lebanon, Ohio, First Place, Sculpture, Third Place Drawing
Museum of Florida Art, Deland, FL, Biennial V, Third Place
Dancing Horse Farm 4th Annual Juried Equine Exhibit, Lebanon, Ohio, First Place, Sculpture, Third Place Drawing
Museum of Florida Art, Deland, FL, Biennial V, Third Place
2009
Artist’s Registry Juried Exhibit at Avalon Gallery, Orlando, FL, First Place
National League of American Pen Women State Competition, Sarasota, FL, Award of Excellence
City of Eustis Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, People’s Choice Award
Orlando Museum of Art, 1st Thursdays: Alternative Surfaces, Chosen For Artist of the Month Exhibit
Seminole Sanford Art Association 50th Anniversary Exhibition, Sanford, FL, First Place
Artist’s Registry Juried Exhibit at Avalon Gallery, Orlando, FL, First Place
National League of American Pen Women State Competition, Sarasota, FL, Award of Excellence
City of Eustis Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, People’s Choice Award
Orlando Museum of Art, 1st Thursdays: Alternative Surfaces, Chosen For Artist of the Month Exhibit
Seminole Sanford Art Association 50th Anniversary Exhibition, Sanford, FL, First Place
Ex Arte Equinus II International Competition, Sculpture Winner
“Horses in Art” Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders, Second Place Sculpture, Auburn, WA
Art League of Daytona, 78th Fine Art Exhibition, Honorable Mention
“Horses in Art” Washington State Thoroughbred Breeders, Second Place Sculpture, Auburn, WA
Art League of Daytona, 78th Fine Art Exhibition, Honorable Mention
Selected Juried Shows:
2021
Women in the Arts, Ten Year Anniversary winners show, City of Orlando Main Library Galleries.
Florida Sculpture Guild, ReVision juried show, Casselberry Sculpture House
Art Festival Beth-El Juried Show, St. Petersburg, FL
Art Gallery at Devon Juried Show, Bryn Mar, PA
Florida Artist’s Group Area V Group Show, City Arts Gallery, City of Orlando
Manatee Art Center Group Show, Beaux Arts of Central Florida
Museum of Arts & Sciences, Daytona Beach, Symphony of Color group show
Art League of Daytona Beach Invitational Show
2020
Mennello Museum of American Art, White Canvas Exhibit and Fundraiser
Art League of Hilton Head Biennial CraftArt Juried Exhibition, Hilton Head, SC
Art Festival Beth-El 47th Invitational Show, St Petersburg, FL
Manatee Art Center, “Walk in the Woods”, Solo Sculptor w/three painters.
Museum of Arts & Sciences, “Art of Healing” Beaux Arts of Central Florida
Loxahatchee Exhibition Pfedekamper Gallery, Featured Artist
Loxahatchee Exhibition Pfedekamper Gallery, Featured Artist
Gallery500, Daytona Beach, Beaux Arts of Central Florida Juried Group Show
Mount Dora Center for the Arts, Juried Group Show
Art of the Horse Exhibit Invitational, Wellington, FL
Art of the Horse Exhibit Invitational, Wellington, FL
2019
Art League of Hilton Head 2019 National Biennale Exhibition
Art Festival Beth-El Juried Show
Annual Strawbridge Art League Annual “Vision” Juried Exhibit, Foosener Museum of Art, Melbourne
Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Beach, Beaux Arts of Central Florida Juried Group Show, Existential Journey
Florida Water Color Society Winners touring show, Juried Invited Sculptor, SOBO Gallery, Winter Garden
Naples Art Association in the Naples Art Association Art Gallery
Florida Artists Group (Juried Organization), Annual Show and Symposium, Ringling College of Art, Sarasota
Ormond Memorial Museum & Gardens, Influenced by Sound” Exhibit, Florida Artists Group Area V Show
Loxahatchcee Art Gallery Invitational Group Exhibit, Loxahatchee, FL Featured Artist
Illuminate Sculpture Exhibit at Lake Concord Sculpture Garden, City of Casselberry
2018
The Mennello Museum of American Art, Juried Invitational Exhibit & Gala
Florida’s Finest, ArtCenter Sarasota All Florida Juried Exhibit
8th Annual St. Augustine National Juried Nature & Wildlife Exhibit
Ormond Museum of Art Invitational Juried Exhibit, Florida Artists Group, Sound Influences Juried Exhibit.
Hub on Canal Gallery, Juried “All Living Things” Exhibit, New Smyrna Beach.
Women’s Caucus for the Arts, Celebration of the Arts, “Legacies”, City of Casselberry Art House Gallery, FL
Florida Artists Group Annual Exhibition and Symposium, Webber Gallery, Central Florida College, Ocala, FL
2017
The Mennello Museum of American Art, Invitational Art Exhibit & Gala
Loxahatchee Art Gallery Invitational Group Exhibit, Loxahatchee, FL
Hub on Canal Juried “Inspired By Exhibit”, New Smyrna Beach
7th Annual St. Augustine Art Association Nature & Wildlife Exhibit
Florida Artists Group Area V Juried Exhibit at Atlantic Center For the Arts at Harris House
Illuminate Sculpture Exhibit at Lake Concord Sculpture Garden, City of Casselberry.
Art Center Sarasota, Florida Flavor All Florida Juried Exhibit
Loxahatchee Art Gallery Invitational Group Exhibit, Loxahatchee, FL
2016
Florida CraftArt, “A Well Crafted Tale” Juried Exhibit, St. Petersburg, FL
Art For Horses Show Juried National Exhibit, Pace Performing Arts Center, Parker, Colorado
Art Center Sarasota, Florida Flavor Juried Exhibit
Art Festival Beth-El Invitational Juried Art Exhibit, St.Petersburg
Art For Horses Show Juried National Exhibit, Pace Performing Arts Center, Parker, Colorado
Loxahatchee Art Gallery Invitational Group Exhibit, Loxahatchee, FL
Atlantic Center for the Arts at Harris House, Beaux Arts Juried Group Exhibit
Atlantic Center for the Arts at Harris House, Beaux Arts Juried Group Exhibit
2015
St. Augustine Art Association, “Nature & Wildlife” International Juried Exhibit
Art Festival Beth-El Invitational Juried Art Exhibit, St.Petersburg
Artist Alley Gallery, Gateway Bank Invitational Art Exhibit, Ocala, FL
Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, Solo Exhibit, “Mindy Colton The Spirit of the Horse”
St. Augustine Art Association, “Nature & Wildlife” International Juried Exhibit
Art Festival Beth-El Invitational Juried Art Exhibit, St.Petersburg
Artist Alley Gallery, Gateway Bank Invitational Art Exhibit, Ocala, FL
Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, Solo Exhibit, “Mindy Colton The Spirit of the Horse”
Art League of Daytona Beach, Salt Life” Invitational Group Exhibit
2014
International Museum of Art El Paso, TX, International Equine Artist’s Association, Signature Member Exhibit
Art Center Sarasota, Florida Flavor All-State Juried Exhibition
South Florida State College, Crackers, Houses and Horses, Avon Park, FL, Solo Sculptor
Plum Gallery, St. Augustine, FL featured artist
Mount Dora Center for the Arts, EQUUS & Earth Expressions, Two Person Show
Orlando Magazine, Paint the Town, Juried Exhibit, Gallery at Avalon Island, Orlando, FL
Plum Gallery, St. Augustine, FL featured artist
Mount Dora Center for the Arts, EQUUS & Earth Expressions, Two Person Show
Orlando Magazine, Paint the Town, Juried Exhibit, Gallery at Avalon Island, Orlando, FL