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Arts and Entertainment: “CHICK SCHWARTZ, CEDAR KEY ARTIST,” OPENS AT APPLETON MUSEUM IN OCALA
January 29th, 2013

Arts and Entertainment: Fiber Artist Classes at Cedar Key Arts Center
January 5th, 2013

Arts and Entertainment: ACOUSTICAL AFTERNOON FOR THE ARTS FUNDRAISER FOR THE CEDAR KEY ARTS FESTIVAL
December 31st, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key Arts Center - January Events
December 25th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: CEDAR KEY ART FESTIVAL DEADLINE EXTENDED
December 21st, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar KeyHole Artists of the Month
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Arts and Entertainment: December 1 - Gallery Opening at Cedar Key Arts Center
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Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key Arts Center - Holiday Mini Projects Party
November 29th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Florida`s Eden and Bev Ringenberg at the Arts Center Opening December 1
November 28th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Suwannee Valley Players - Open Auditions: "Little Shop of Horrors"
November 27th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: WEEKEND MUSIC SCENE
November 23rd, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Make a bowl for Empty Bowls event
November 22nd, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: CEDAR KEY CALLING ALL FINE ARTISTS TO DELIGHT AND INSPIRE!
November 19th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key Arts Center - December Workshops
November 14th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Keyhole`s 35th Anniversary
November 12th, 2012

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Thinking in Three Dimensions - the Art of Chick Schwartz

Thinking in Three Dimensions - the Art of Chick Schwartz

Maureen Landress

The first thing one wants to do when viewing the work of this multi-talented artist, is reach out a hand and touch. From the smooth, sensual contours of a bronze sculpture, to the brilliantly colored, exquisite detail of his ceramic images, everywhere one looks there is depth and movement.

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"Cyclist" - bronze


Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Chick spent most of his life living along the Vermont/Canadian border with his wife Marsha and their children, moving to Cedar Key only recently. Trained as an engineer, he had always felt the pull of his artistic side and in 1978 quit his job to pursue his art. Chick has worked in a variety of materials, rising to the challenge of learning new skills with each medium he has explored.

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Painted wood and ceramic


In the 1960's it was ceramics, when he created his "Looking Downs", a series of city scapes done in high relief sculpture. These richly detailed looks into the heart of big city living overflow with color. The works offer a glimpse of his acerbic wit with their charming details; like the bag lady, street vendors, and sign carrying protestors who people the scenes.

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"Looking Down" high relief ceramic sculpture


During the early 1980's he began working in bronze, and continues to find it one of the more demanding and rewarding materials for artistic expression. Producing a work in bronze is a painstaking process, taking months to get from the inception drawing to the completed sculpture. Here again, Chick's wry sense of humor often comes into play, as he expertly makes use of negative space to intimate the playfully erotic aspect of some of his work. The pieces may vary in size, patina and subject matter, but never waver in their ability to draw an appreciative gasp from viewers. They are stunning works of both artistic expression and expert craftsmanship.

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Bronze on hand-tiled base

More examples of Chick Schwartz`s work:

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Sculpture of ceramic, cement, granite tailings and wood

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"Trees" - ceramic

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Wood and ceramic sculpture of Chick and his wife Marsha


Examples of his work can be seen in galleries and museums from New York to California. If you would like to see more of his work you can visit the gallery at his home in Cedar Key on Live Oak Street or log onto his website at http://www.chickschwartz.com

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