Small-format artworks make the viewer pause and look more carefully. They ask us to notice the fine details, the shapes, and the tiny things that are easy to miss at first glance. These pieces create a more intimate way of seeing and also they can be taken in with one look to grasp the whole meaning at once.
In the Small Works exhibition at the Art Center Sarasota, on view from October 7 to November 15, more than 50 artists selected by artist and juror Samo Davis present works that show this concentrated and precise kind of art. Paintings, sculptures, installations, and mixed-media pieces — including textiles — speak to each other in small formats that still create a strong visual and emotional impact.
Among them, I was especially drawn to Floral Portrait: Heavenly by Helena Poto, for its symmetry, details, and symbolism. Also Untitled by Marina Abdo Alcántara, a tiny hanging sculpture of a woven figure with hands occupied by small chair, creating an introspective and poetic mood. The wooden sculpture Tree of Hope by Melanie Carlstein also stood out for its minimalism, geometric precision, and organic vibe.
Another piece that held my attention the longest was Snow Canyon by Dawn Lindhart — a colorful embroidered work full of fine detail. It invites you to lean in close and lose yourself in its vibrant landscape. This one was the smallest piece at the exhibition.
The sculpture Elegant Elephant by Linda Salomon had a quiet mystery — the animal figure stands still and graceful, yet intriguing, standing upright on two human-like legs and dressed in a curious garment. I was also charmed by Who’ll Blink First? by Jen Fox-Venti, a carefully made illustration full of attention to detail. The piece plays with humor through its title and composition, and its technique and text reminded me of clever and imaginative illustrated books.
The oil painting Golden Twilight by Larry Maynard impressed me with its masterful blending of golden tones in the grass and sky, creating a stunning sense of harmony. The piece features an amazing play of light and shadow — an artist I would love to explore further.
Another piece that fascinated me was a reimagined tarot deck by Sandra Lefever. In her version of the The Chariot VII, a relaxed woman sits on the hood of a car, while the horses are replaced by two fat, sleepy cats with no desire to go anywhere. The piece made me think about the spiritual meaning behind it — not only the idea of smallness in format, but also smallness in life’s movements, which are not always grand or fast, but sometimes simply calm, patient moments of waiting
the present tense 
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