Sweet Berry Farm co-owner Michelle Eckhart submitted “January, 2003” to the annual juried exhibition of the Society of American Mosaic Artists held in Austin, Texas, in February 2011, whose aim is to “bring together hundreds of the world’s top mosaic artists, art educators, gallery owners...and aficionados.”
The mosaics by Michelle pictured on this page are on display in the Sweet Berry Farm Market, where they are also available as note cards.
“Early Spring in the Peach Orchard” Mosaic by Michelle Eckhart
Three cheers to our talented Michelle Eckhart, who won Best of Representational in the 2011 National Mosaic Exhibition on Cape Cod for her mosaic “Early Spring in the Peach Orchard.” Michelle sets the scene: “It’s evening in the orchard. The just-budding peach trees are
awkward against such a brilliant sunset. The air is chilly and
damp. Rabbits, who have just been frolicking and feeding, are now wary
and alert; there was a sound, a rustling in the leaves. A presence
is lurking. There is a pathway out of this little drama-to-be, for you, the viewer: straight ahead into the
sunset. I suggest you take it.”
And cheers again to Michelle Eckhart, for winning Best In Show at the Somerville (Massachusetts) Museum in fall 2009 for the mosaic of her dear departed Pepper the dog!
“A Fresh Look at an Old Tradition: The Art of Mosaic 2009” by James Foritano
Even a non-initiate, a rank newbie in the mysteries of mosaics, can marvel at every one of the hundreds, even thousands, of tiny tiles which artist Michelle Eckhart has selected and placed, at every angle, to create “Pepper.” And yet, drawing back from this examination, we both see and feel the hurtling presence of Pepper, the dog, not slowed by a mini-second as she responds to the call of her master’s artfully lingering hand.
Artscope : New England’s Culture Magazine September–October 2009 There’s more on Michelle and “Pepper” at these pages:
Six-year-old naturalist
and host Gus Nightingale goes on a quest to the Bahamas archipelago to
meet some of the country’s many spectacular creatures. Children will be
captivated as Gus explores the pristine islands of the Bahamas in search
of lizards, iguanas, and snakes. To cool off, Gus plunges into the
gem-like water and snorkels with the beautiful and bizarre looking
creatures of the sea.
Gus Outdoors is an adventurous mix of animal
identification and personal encounters that delivers an entertaining
yet educational presentation that will give children a tremendous
respect for nature.
