In the News

Fifty-three artists competed for prizes in five categories for the Annual Juried Art Show May 2009

"The Essential Element"
First Place
Sculpture Award.

The 4" Diameter Miniature Rotating Sculpture was chosen from three of Mastrangelo's entries
Story on the News Blog

The Juried Exhibit runs Through May 29, 2009
The Center hours:
M-F: 9 am-5 pm
Osceola Center for the Arts
2411 E. Irlo Bronson Hwy.
Kissimmee, FL 34744.
Phone 407-846-6257
Web site www.ocfta.com

Ode to Karl Shapiro

I am struck by the beauty of manhole covers.
Addicted to their cryptic charms.
I have brushed away sand and debris
To reveal stamped symbols.

I have kneeled at steel rims,
To record autumn images:
Waxed dark crayons, across white paper
Taped to cold, notched-whelked lids.

I have seen steam rising
From cold wintry grates.
Glimpsed rusty iron peeping through
Snowy track and icy treds.

Summer's steaming Con Ed irons
Burned my hands: melted my crayons.

Rubbings, photos, prints and sculptures
Honor these urban artifacts:
Preserving their beauty
Never outdated.

- Bobbi Mastrangelo

Bobbi Mastrangelo

“Cover Girl”..No this artist is not in the fashion business! But she models her prints and sculptures on iron utility covers. What an unusual theme! That’s why some reporters gave her that name. Her prints on hand-made paper with deeply embossed metallic water covers and gas covers are jewel-like mandalas.

She transforms manhole covers, sewers and grates into artistic streetscapes. These sculpture relief works appear so realistic that viewers wonder how she could even lift them to hang on the wall.

“The Grate Works” have won many awards and are in prominent museum and water authority collections. The artist is a member of The National Association of Women Artists and is listed in The Marquis’s “Who’s Who in American Art”, etc.

Her achievements in art and the environment garnered her an Alumni “Hall of Fame” and Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Awards. Her art documents the intricate designs of early covers, calling for conservation and protection of our water supplies and precious resources. Yes! That is why other writers prefer calling her “The Grate Lady!”.