Palm Coast, FL – Jazzing up The Grand Art Gallery in Palm Coast, doll makers from Jacksonville to Palm Coast shared their personal and professional designs during the “Artists of Dollworks JAX, Dolls & Faces” opening reception on Sunday, October 3rd, for their first major show.

Doll artist Juanelle Strickland Marshall discusses her work with Mariam Hughey-Guy and Dr. Awilda Hamilton during the Grand Art Gallery’s ‘Artists of Dollworks JAX, Dolls & Faces’ opening reception on October 3, 2021.

Featuring an array of subjects and genres, St. Johns County doll artist Juanelle Strickland Marshall shared stories behind the works from different collections, perched in the niches throughout the gallery. A lifelike doll depicted Marshall’s mother on her 70th birthday as “Queen for the Day”, and upon her passing returned to her for safekeeping.

“It is very exciting and the feedback is just phenomenal. It makes you feel pretty good,” said Marshall.

“I made my first doll for my little sister many, many years ago and then I started making art dolls about 10 years ago. It’s very relaxing and I see a vision of everything I make,” she said.

Artist Judi Wormeck admires a sea-themed creation by Juanelle Strickland Marshall during the Grand Art Gallery’s ‘Artists of Dollworks JAX, Dolls & Faces’ opening reception on October 3, 2021.

Meanwhile another niche displayed her sea-based works where an elaborately decorated Christmas tree and a small under the sea quilt with intricately placed beads and trinkets adorned the work. On the other side of the gallery, an exquisitely decorated steampunk themed Christmas tree complimented the steampunk doll that was breathtaking with detail.

“They tell a story and have a nice presentation,” she said.

Assisting gallery curator Jan Jackson with bringing the Dollworks JAX artists to Palm Coast, doll artist Emma Fleischer has been interested in dolls since her youth. Designing her own dolls now offers a chance to add her own flair and bring her ideas to life, while collaborating with other artists in the club.

“We get together twice a month and play together. Most of the dolls are made when we’re alone,” shared Fleischer. “Some of members are in quilt groups, others want to learn how to make dolls – that’s how I joined. Growing up I collected dolls.”

Sharing The Great Pumpkin during the Grand Art Gallery’s ‘Artists of Dollworks JAX, Dolls & Faces’ opening reception on October 3, 2021, Dollworks JAX member Emma Fleischer helped bring the show to Palm Coast.

She was excited to show her own work, including the holiday festive “The Great Pumpkin” while viewing the works of other doll makers.

“(It’s exciting) just seeing everybody’s works from over the past few years. Some of these I’ve not seen and just the detail and quality on all of them.”

With an appreciation for the craft, Melanie Palmrose headed to Palm Coast for the show’s opening from Middleburg, Florida. With several friends in the club, she’s a fan of their work.

Melanie Palmrose drove over from Middleburg, Florida to attend the Grand Art Gallery’s ‘Artists of Dollworks JAX, Dolls & Faces’ opening reception on October 3, 2021.

“I’m a close friend of one of the group and acquaintance of the entire group, and I knew that I would be bowled over by their talent,” she said. “I just drove two hours – I would go anywhere to see the work that they do.”

While many of the dolls are not for sale – they’re from private collections, a number of them are, and priced well below what collectors would pay at a convention. People looking for unique holiday gifts or décor for their own homes or offices are encouraged to stop in and browse the dolls on display.

“Art dolls have been an interest of mine for some time. I had a gallery when we lived in Albuquerque, and that was my most popular show when we had an art doll show,” curator and gallerist Jan Jackson.

Grouped according to theme, Jackson said the Dollworks JAX members have a vast collection, and it was challenging to pare down the selections to meet the space.

Dollworks JAX member Emma Fleischer shares history about the club during the Grand Art Gallery’s ‘Artists of Dollworks JAX, Dolls & Faces’ opening reception on October 3, 2021.

“They were very excited about showing their work, and as you can see, they’re very competent. Some of these people have been making their dolls for 20 or more years, and it’s just exciting. You want to touch everything, because they’re so beautiful,” she said.

 

 

 

If You Go:

“Artists of Dollworks JAX, Dolls & Faces” Show

The Grand Art Gallery

2298 Colbert Lane, Palm Coast, FL

October 3 – November 14, 2021

Monday – Saturday 10 am to 5 pm

Karen Sullivan, doll artist Cora Raiford and Barbara Cheletta attend the Grand Art Gallery’s ‘Artists of Dollworks JAX, Dolls & Faces’ opening reception on October 3, 2021.
A variety of dolls and faces offer a look into the artist during the Grand Art Gallery’s ‘Artists of Dollworks JAX, Dolls & Faces’ opening reception on October 3, 2021.
Tom Gargiulo, artist and CEO of the Gargiulo Art Foundation and doll artist Juanelle Strickland Marshall attend the Grand Art Gallery’s ‘Artists of Dollworks JAX, Dolls & Faces’ opening reception on October 3, 2021.
Resting Witch Face by Pattie Bibb marks the season during the Grand Art Gallery’s ‘Artists of Dollworks JAX, Dolls & Faces’ opening reception on October 3, 2021.
“Wilma The Wicked Witch” by Cora Raidford is the perfect holiday decoration on display during the Grand Art Gallery’s ‘Artists of Dollworks JAX, Dolls & Faces’ opening reception on October 3, 2021.