LAKE WORTH, FLORIDA.- Palm Beach Institute of Contemporary Art (PBICA) presents an exhibition of the work of 11 artists awarded major grants for excellence by the South Florida Cultural Consortium. New Art: The South Florida Cultural Consortium Fellowship for Visual and Media Arts 2003, will be on view through August 17, 2003.

The South Florida Cultural Consortium, an alliance of cultural councils in Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties, provides funding for local artists based on artistic merit. This program provides the largest awards, $15,000 and $7,500, given by any of the local arts agencies in the country. This year, the South Florida Cultural Consortium identified 11 recipients from 323 applicants. The 2003 artists are: Hernan Bas, Miami-Dade County ($15,000); Fran Bitett Beck, Broward County ($15,000); Natalia Benedetti, Broward County ($15,000); Pip Brant, Broward County ($15,000); Ivan Toth Depena, Miami-Dade County ($7,500); Blane De St. Croix, Palm Beach County ($15,000); Jacek J. Kolasinski, Miami-Dade County ($7,500); Jorge Pantoja, Miami-Dade County ($15,000); Shari Schemmel, Monroe County ($7,500); Sara Stites, Monroe County ($7,500); and Frank Wick, Miami-Dade County ($15,000).

New work by the award recipients will be on view in the exhibition, which is curated by Jody Servon, assistant curator for the Palm Beach Institute of Contemporary Art.

"This exhibition is a perfect opportunity for visitors to PBICA to get a flavor of the strong work that is being done by artists within our community," said Servon. "The show promises to have something for everyone, from architectural photographs to an installation of a series of drawings on nightlights."

Hernan Bas, a young Miami artist, will be represented by a sculpture and series of works on paper delving into relationships, stormy waters and sea creatures. Fran Bitett Beck has developed a new series of panoramic infrared photographs of abandoned structures and vehicles she discovered traveling throughout the United States. Natalia Benedetti will debut a new sound installation that includes fragments from the popular children’s film, The NeverEnding Story. Working on cloth purchased at local flea markets, Pip Brant continues her exploration of current events on her dyed, printed and embroidered tablecloths. A new video installation, as well as selections from a series of architectural color photographs by Ivan Toth Depena, will be included in the exhibition.

Blane De St. Croix continues to explore the tongue as subject matter. His works include an installation of drawings with burnt food and several oversized tongues made from lead. Appearing on the PBICA Web site will be a short video by Jacek J. Kolasinski and an installation of his drawings made on nightlights will be on display throughout the museum. Jorge Pantoja will present a series of small, mixed media works on paper. The only paintings in the show, by Shari Schemmel, are part of a series of colorful abstract canvases in varied sizes. Sara Stites premiers a new, large-scale drawing as well as a series of part-human, part-creature ink drawings on paper. Frank Wick is creating a new installation for the exhibition centered on balance.

A full-color publication accompanies the exhibition that includes texts by Servon; museum director Michael Rush; Rem Cabrera, chief of cultural development for the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs; and Gean Moreno, contributing editor to Art Papers.