Date/Time
Date(s) - 11/07/2025
12:00 AM
Location
The Werk Gallery
Categories
St. Petersburg, FL – The Werk Gallery is proud to present “Summoning Saraswati”, featuring large paintings by Minakshi De, ceramic sculpture by Karen Mullendore, ceramic vessels by Xan Peters and stained glass by Jodi Chemes + Veronica Dunn. This exhibition is inspired by Saraswati (ancient and revered Hindu Goddess of knowledge, learning, language, music and the arts) and all the beauty and balance she ushers into being in a violent world often led by envy, lust and greed. Saraswati also refers to the holy river in India upon whose banks the Vedic scriptures are said to have been written, and so it is that we look for guidance in the world’s ancient wisdoms to bring us back to peace.
Minakshi De, originally from India, lives and works in Vero Beach. Her work has recently shifted to a stream-of-consciousness expression that ties together her observations of contemporary life with her Indian roots. Drawing heavily upon her Hindu beliefs and Hindu imagery, and utilizing line as a central aesthetic element, her “Small in a Big” paintings are the outcome of a meditative practice she developed to battle the depression brought upon by her struggles with COVID-19. These paintings represent a new engagement she has with the world around her and an appeal to the Goddess for guidance and understanding.
Karen Mullendore is a life-long resident of St Petersburg who works out of the Morean Center for Clay. Having retired from a successful career in Interior Design, her hand-built clay sculptures are a return to the creative pursuits fostered by her parents – her mother an accomplished painter and her father a woodworker. The figurative sculptures included in “Summoning Saraswati” not only embody the concept of the goddess coming forth from the waters but also represent for Mullendore the opportunity to begin life anew. The neutral palette of the figures highlights her need to connect with Mother Earth and to find meaning in a complex world.
Xan Peters is well-known for ceramic vessels and sculptures that fuse his aesthetic and paleontological interests. For this exhibit, Xan is creating a new series of Urns that delve deeper into the ways we honor and remember our relationship with the natural world. Originally from Clearwater, Xan grew up in his mother’s art gallery and studio. Always drawing dinosaurs and other extinct animals as a child, he moved to Bozeman, MT to study fine art and museum studies at MSU, then received his MFA from Tufts University. In addition to his studio practice, Xan is the Operations Manager for the Morean Center for Clay.
Jodi Chemes + Veronica Dunn are creating unique, circular stained-glass wind chimes for this exhibit that directly reflect the animal life found in “Five Elements of Life” by Minakshi De.
Jodi Chemes is a St. Pete–based stained glass artist who discovered the craft in the mid-2010s and has been creating unique glass pieces ever since. She founded All The Things St. Pete, an art incubator and studio in the Warehouse Arts District to support local creatives. In 2024, she opened Glass of Life, a studio and gallery in Uptown St. Pete offering beginner-friendly stained-glass classes, workshops, open studio time, and custom commissions. Each custom piece helps support local animal rescues.
Veronica Dunn is a St. Petersburg–born stained glass artist and instructor at Glass of Life, where she helps others discover the joy of working with glass. An active member of the local arts community, Veronica’s creativity extends beyond stained glass—she also works in 3D printing, laser engraving, and digital design, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.
The Werk Gallery and Object Lab was born 2.5 years ago from the passion and overflowing collection of Fritz and Matthew Faulhaber. It is a locally focused art venue with an international scope and “the world’s greatest gift shop”. The Gallery displays a variety of art experiences; from our series of community-oriented, large group shows to solo shows by internationally established contemporary artists. Regular outdoor art markets and craft events spice up our calendar. The Object Lab (“the world’s greatest gift shop”) offers attainable prints and merchandise from the artists in the Gallery next door as well as to our collection of fine art, antiques, home decor, fashion and jewelry. The Werk is conveniently located in downtown St. Petersburg, easy walking distance from many of the city’s famous breweries, eateries, shopping and entertainment venues.