Sculptor
Area Chair 2013 – 2022
Cheryl‘s Bio:
I have lived in Central Florida since 1970, but originally came from Iowa where I received my BFA from Drake University in Des Moines. Raised near woodlands,
In Eastern Iowa and with parents interested in the natural world, wood has been a part of my life since I was a very young person. Wood continues to be the foundation for my sculptures, as well as the inspiration. My early studies of portrait painting and life drawing also contribute to making of my tree branch figurative sculptures. I have studied sculpture with Mia Westerlund Roosen and James Surls, as a fellow at the Atlantic Center for the Arts. Locally I have studied with David Cumbie at Crealde School of Art and Michael Galletta at Valencia College. I have been part of a group studio for many years, but more recently I work solo in a warehouse studio. I am an active member of the Florida Sculptors Guild and the Florida Artists Group, a state organization of professional artists.
I live with my husband and son on a lake where I can observe birds and nature and enjoy astrology as a hobby.
Artist’s Statement:
My central Florida environment of trees and lakes provides me with both the inspiration and the materials for my work. My favorite woods are citrus, cypress, oak, and crepe myrtle, which are readily available in my neighborhood. Each work begins with a branch, log or limb that suggests a figure or a bird to me, and can end with a sculpted ceramic head. This blending of natural materials and sculpted clay helps me evoke a unique look to my work. These sculptures may border on folk art, but they are informed by a past study of life drawing and portrait painting. My work has evolved from my personal life experiences, my environment, and my metaphysical studies.
Education:
1967 BFA Drake University, Des Moines, IA
1980 Studied woodworking, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC
1982 Studied sculpture with Mia Westerlund Roosen,
Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL
1985 Studied sculpture with James Surls, Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Recent Exhibits:
2026 “Hazard” Florida Sculpture Guild, Mt. Dora Center for the Arts, Mt. Dora, FL
2026 “Crealde at 50” Crealde School of Art, Winter Park, Fl
2026 “Everglow” FLAG’s 76 th Exhibition Courthouse Cultural Center, Stuart, FL
2025 “ArtBeat St. Pete” FLAG’s 75th Exhibition, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL – Blick Materials Award
2025 Lake County Museum of Art, Area 5 FLAG, Tavares, FL
2025 The Cape Center, Area 5 FLAG, Cape Canaveral. FL
2025 “Otherworldly,” Florida Sculpture Guild, Sculpture House, Casselberry, FL
2024 “ArtMaxJax” Flag’s 74th Exhibition, Florida State College at Jacksonville, FL
2023 “The Shape of Things” Cheryl Bogdanowitsch and 20 Years of Sculpture Scholars, Crealde School of Art, Winter Park, FL
2023 “Sensations” FLAG 73rd Exhibition, Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Beach, FL – M.Graham Materials Award
2022 “Florida Palette” Area 5 FLAG, Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Beach, FL
2022 “Art of Play” Florida Sculptors Guild, Albin Polasek Museum, Winter Park, FL
2022 “reVision” Florida Sculptors Guild, Osceola Arts, Kissimmee, FL
Awards:
2020 First Prize, Florida Sculptors Guild,
Art League of Daytona
2008 Merit Award: Florida Biennial IV,
Museum of Florida Art, DeLand, FL
2008 Award : Artists Registry Members Exhibit,
Avalon Island, Orlando, FL
2005 Best in Show: Equus II, DeLand Museum of Art, DeLand, FL
2004 Purchase Award: S.E. Juried Competition,
Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, Alabama
1999 Purchase Award: Art Three By Three, Juried Art
Competition, Maitland Art Center, Maitland, FL
1996 Award: Art Three By Three.., Juried Art Competition,
Maitland Art Center, Maitland
1995 Individual Artist Recognition Award, Art Services
Council, Orlando, FL
1993 Merit Award: Mixed Media, Florida Competition, Arts
on the Park, Inc., Lakeland, FL
1992 Honorable Mention: IMC Mayshow, Arts on the Park, Lakeland, FL
Public Collections:
Crealde School of Art, Sculpture Garden,
Winter Park, FL City Hall, Orlando, FL
University of Central Florida, Arts Complex,
Orlando, FL Sun Bank , Orlando, FL
Maitland Art Center, Maitland, FL
Barnett Bank, Tampa, FL,
AT&T Building Jacksonville, FL
Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL
Valencia Community College, Orlando, FL