Lakewood Ranch Creative Arts Association 14th annual Fall Art Show and Sale set for Nov. 14

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Mary Litle was in finance during her working career. Drew Stuart was a teacher. Jim O'Donnell is a speech pathologist.

What they all have in common is that they found their inner artist apart from their vocation, and they are among those taking part in the Lakewood Ranch Creative Arts Association 14th annual Fall Art Show and Sale 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.

The artists in the show at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., are a diverse group. Among them are a stained glass artist, traditional paint and brush artists, sculptors, jewelry makers and more.

Drew Stuart brings humor and whimsy to the show with his cartoon-like ceramics that just might resemble someone you know. For certain, you'll recognize the type.

Jim O'Donnell, on the other hand, is a wood turner, who makes gorgeous wood vases from burl, ebony, maple and other woods. He also makes smaller items such as pens and wine stoppers.

Stuart retired as a teacher after 36 years in New Jersey, and then taught for a few years more at Saint Stephens Episcopal School in Bradenton after moving to Lakewood Ranch.

He has been making ceramics for about 3 1/2 years.

"I just play. I'll start building from the chin up. A face will suggest itself," Stuart said.

"You start doing this for yourself, then you realize you are building a critical mass of things," Stuart said.

This year's Lakewood Ranch art show will be Stuart's first.

O'Donnell is a veteran of art shows, doing about two a year, including the Lakewood Ranch show.

"I started out making furniture in 2000," O'Donnell said.

Today his main focus is making wood vases.

"I am really into it for the art side," he said, adding that his most fun often comes when he is doing something for leisure.

Admission to the show is free.

The diversity of the artists makes it an interesting show for the public, Litle said.

"Each show has its own character. It's interesting for the public to see all the different artworks. We have very accomplished people in the show."

James A. Jones Jr., East Manatee reporter, can be contacted at 941-745-7053 or on Twitter@jajones1.

This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 2:58 PM with the headline "Lakewood Ranch Creative Arts Association 14th annual Fall Art Show and Sale set for Nov. 14 ."