Apalachicola Mayor Honors Nationally Known Artist

Nationally known Artist Mary Erickson pictured with Mayor Van Johnson holding
one of two of her Bird Series paintings that's on loan to the Mayor's office.

Mayor Van Johnson recently welcomed artist Mary Erickson to Apalachicola during her stay as Resident Artist to the Forgotten Coast America’s Great Plein Air Paint-Out. Erickson was in town from October 27 to 30^th conducting workshops on the challenges of living and working as an artist on the Coast.

During her stay Erickson visited with Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson where she presented a loan of two of her Bird Series paintings that will hang in the Mayor’s office.  “My work focuses on my love affair with the Florida coast and its natural environment”, Erickson said during the visit. “There is nothing quite like the environmental diversity of north Florida as a painting venue,” she said.

“The work of the Plein Air organization is amazing as a means of preserving our historical and cultural heritage”, Mayor Johnson said in accepting the paintings. “Mary’s work is well known nationally and we are proud to have her here to share the beauty of our amazing community.” Johnson said.

Erickson will join 20 other nationally recognized artists when they return to the Forgotten Coast for the annual “paint out” beginning May 6, 2015 for a ten-day painting event that will feature artists throughout the community for the annual event.