Painter
Member of Flag since 2007
Sonia’s Bio:
Sonia Ann Smith graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Slavic Studies and Art History. During her studies, a friendship with William Kurelek led to her use of bold color and simple composition
In 1992, Sonia relocated to St. Petersburg and in 1995 began to work with noted Florida artist, Marjorie Dean Andruk. Their close personal and professional relationship continued until Ms. Andruk’s death in 2010.
Since 2007, Sonia has been a member of the Florida Artists Group, the oldest professional artists’ association in Florida. In that same year, she was awarded first prize in the Treasure Island Art Guild juried competition.
Sonia has exhibited at the Daytona Beach Museum of Art, The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, The Maitland Art and History Museum and the LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts in Tallahassee. Other events include a successful one-woman show at the Suntan Center, a one-woman show at Balzac’s Gallery in Toronto, and exhibition in the Allyn Gallup Gallery Summer Abstracts alongside Syd Solomon.
Locally, Sonia’s work has been shown in The Art Center – now the Morean – (including “Andruk’s Dozen” 1995 through 2003), St. Petersburg Beach Center, Ambiance Galleries, the 2001 juried art show at Salt Creek Galleries, and Mahaffey Center.
Sonia has participated in workshops with Elizabeth Clement, Fred Samuelson, Marjorie Green, Jack Barrette and Shirley Frank.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
My inspiration comes from observing the natural world and interpreting it abstractly. This both nurtures and challenges me to push the boundaries further. And, when I am in “the zone,” time stops and something else takes over the process. This is what sustains me.
EDUCATION /WORKSHOPS
University of Toronto, BA Slavic Studies and Art History
Student of Marjorie Dean Andruk 1995-2010
Workshop on Elements of Design with Elizabeth Clements
Workshop on Color with Fred Samuelson
Workshop on Composition and Design with Marjorie Green
Workshop on Figure painting with Jack Barrett
SOLO EXHIBITS
Balzac’s Gallery, Toronto Canada 2004
Suntan Art Center, St. Petersburg Beach, Fl. 2011
JURIED/INVITATIONAL EXHIBITS
Suntan Art Center St. Pete Beach, Fl. 1992-95
The Arts Center, members show, St.Petersburg, Fl. 1996-98
Beach Art Center, Indian Rocks Beach, FL. 1999
Ambiance Gallery, St.Petersburg Fl. 2000
The Arts Center, “Andruk’s Dozen”, St. Petersburg, Fl. 2000
Salt Creek Artworks, All Florida Fine Art exhibit, St. Petersburg, Fl. 2001
The Arts Center, All Florida Exhibit, St. Petersburg, Fl. 2001
Octagon Gallery, Clearwater Fl. 2008
Leepa-Rarner Museum of Art, Tarpon Springs, Fl. 2009
Maitland Art and History Museum, Maitland, Fl. 2011
LeMoyne Center for Visual Arts, Tallahasee, Fl. 2013
Leepa-Ratner Museum of Art, tarpon Springs, Fl. 2015
Morean Arts Center Show, Honorable Mention
Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, Fl. 2015 Honorable MentionArts
Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs, Bonita Springs, Fl. 2016
Coral Springs Museum of Art, Coral Springs, Fl. 2017 Honorable Mention
Mahaffey Center FLAG Show, Fall of 2017
Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art Sarasota 2017 “Summer Abstractions”
Morean Arts Center Sweet Seasons Show 2021
Sonia Smith’s works are in private collections in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Atlanta and Toronto.