- April 9, 2025
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Michael Nunes is the first to start painting.
Photo by Lesley DwyerCindy Kuehnel chooses a gnome she named Elmer.
Photo by Lesley DwyerPlenty of paint colors to choose from at the Artful Giraffe.
Photo by Lesley DwyerMichelle Giannico and Jamie Engel choose mugs to paint.
Photo by Lesley DwyerMichelle Giannico gets assistance from artist Gina Fortino.
Photo by Lesley DwyerDonna Dolan pours paint for her project.
Photo by Lesley DwyerMembers of the Longboat Island Chapel enjoy a field trip to the Artful Giraffe in Sarasota.
Photo by Lesley DwyerCari Aslan decides between a turtle and a dolphin with artist Gina Fortino.
Photo by Lesley DwyerValerie Evanko and Cari Aslan
Photo by Lesley DwyerRick Skerrett is the only husband to join the party.
Photo by Lesley DwyerGinger Stefan paints a gnome.
Photo by Lesley DwyerGina Fortino is the potter on-hand.
Photo by Lesley DwyerMembers of the Longboat Island Chapel gether for an art day.
Photo by Lesley DwyerMichelle Giannico paints a ceramic mug.
Photo by Lesley DwyerGinger Stefan and Donna Dolan busy painting.
Photo by Lesley DwyerMembers of the Longboat Island Chapel paint the afternoon away at the Artful Giraffe.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe Artful Giraffe is an art studio on Fruitville Road in Sarasota.
Photo by Lesley DwyerChurch members have their choice of ceramics to paint.
Photo by Lesley DwyerDonna Dolan paints a Christmas tree.
Photo by Lesley DwyerClaire Skerrett paints a mug after penciling a gnome on the side.
Photo by Lesley DwyerValerie Evanko and Cari Aslan work on their ceramics.
Photo by Lesley DwyerAbout a dozen members of the Longboat Island Chapel left the island for the Artful Giraffe in Sarasota on Wednesday.
They met for breakfast first, toured the gallery for inspiration and then it was time to paint.
"I had been here before," Cari Aslan said. "I thought that this would be very tranquil and peaceful."
Valerie Evanko plans all the chapel outings and is always open to ideas. When Aslan offered the suggestion, Evanko turned it into a field trip by renting the studio for an afternoon.
Members enjoyed the excursion, especially Michael Nunes. It offered him a trip down memory lane back to his days as a Catholic school boy.
“In seventh and eighth grade, Mrs. Hillman had a kiln,” he said. “She would bring ceramics. She taught us how to shape them and then paint them. It’s been a love since then.”
Rick Skerrett, the only husband to attend, kept accidentally putting his brush into the wrong paint color.
“Here’s a secret: if you really screw it up, they’ll fix it for you,” Aslan kindly reassured him.
