Mandance Sculpture

John Merchant has drawn and painted since childhood, formally studying art in a succession of avocational classes, and five years at the College of Art in Sheffield, England. Since 2006, his creative efforts have centered on stone sculpture under the tutelage of the Canadian sculptor Frank DeLaroche, and are influenced by artists such as Naguchi and fellow Yorkshire artists, Dame Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. Prior to working in stone, he built clay sculpture. Merchant’s evolving abstract sculptural style combines curved surfaces with hard edges and variations in texture, in shapes that best display the natural features of each stone. He also creates some representational pieces from time to time. He is a member of the Florida Artists Group(FLAG), and a member of the Centers for the Arts of Bonita Springs, The Alliance for the Arts, and the Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild. Among some of his many distinctions are the following: “Best of Show,” ‘Breaking Wave’ Marble, Centers for the Arts, Bonita Springs Summer Exhibition June 2011 “First Place” ‘Ding: Bad Day at Black Rock’ Albarene Soapstone, SWFL Fine Craft Guild “Great Books” SBDAC 2012 “First Place 3D” ‘Nagaraj’ Alabaster, Art Council of SW Florida “Winners Circle Biennial” “First Place” ‘Dancing Feet’ Bronze, Centers for Arts Bonita Springs “Members Only Show” 2015 “Public’s Choice” ‘Breaking Wave’ Marble, Visual Art Center Punta Gorda, “Sand Sea & Surf” 2015 “Curated Exhibit”, Performing Arts Center Bonita Springs, July and August 2016 “First Place” ‘Spring Tide’ Black Chlorite, ‘Engulfed Show’, SW Florida Fine Craft Guild, December 2016 “First Place” ‘Dancing Feet’ Bronze, Art Council of Southwest Florida, Winners’ Circle Show 2017 “A Mother and Child” Sandstone, Selected for Deland Museum of Art, Sculpture Walk 2017-2018 “First Place” ‘Lady in Waiting’ Carrera Marble. SWFL Fine Craft Guild, February 2018 Email: Tel: 239 267- 3049 Web Page: Studio/gallery by appointment