Ann Welly Revels: Artist of the Month at Studios of Cocoa Beach
Sun Mar 1, 11:00 AM - Tue Mar 31, 3:30 PM

The Studios of Cocoa Beach introduces its March Artist of the Month, Ann Welly Revels of Titusville. Ann is a fiber artist with a background in weaving and papermaking. She is currently making palm skin baskets .
Ann has long been fascinated by the tactile feel of fibers and has a keen eye for natural materials in the world around us. Her interest in environmental causes is reflected in her work. Loom woven wall hangings include branches and grasses as well as yarn. Ann’s handmade paper incorporates petals, leaves, and spices or is embossed by seed pods. Her palm skin baskets are made from the boot that attaches the palm frond to the trunk on certain tropical palms. Where others see tree trimmings on the side of the road as a pile of yard trash, Ann sees potential works of art.
“Every piece of palm fiber is different depending on the species and the season. Each has a personality. I never know exactly what I will create until I begin to shape it. Once dried, the basket tells me what sort of embellishment, if any, or what plant or animal I should woodburn on the surface. It’s such a hands-on process that I really feel I am collaborating with the materials. My goal is to allow others to experience this gift from our tropical paradise.”
One of Ann’s baskets will be the prize in the Studios’ monthly giveaway. To enter this free drawing, visit the Studios at 165 Minuteman Causeway in downtown Cocoa Beach any day in March. Ann’s work can be viewed during the Studios’ regular hours: Monday and Tuesday 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information about exhibits, artists and workshop schedules, visit  www.studiosofcocoabeach.org.