The Cedar Key Arts Center was a warm place to be on Saturday evening, when approximately 75 guests welcomed Gene and Judy Rantz to Cedar Key. Gene Rantz enchanted the crowd as he explained how he and Judy discovered and came to love the Nature Coast. 
Gene and Judy Rantz bracketing one of Gene's water colors.
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Gene`s paintings, which fill the main gallery upstairs at the Arts Center, reveal his love for the natural beauty of the creeks and hammocks around the mouth of the Suwannee River as well as his desire to capture the old fish houses of Cedar Key and Suwannee knowing that these treasures of human endeavors are very fragile and may soon be lost forever. Paintings like the Cedar Key Fish and Oyster Co, the Suwannee Fish House, and Goodson Island were created through the years and prints made of these settings have found their way to places all across America and beyond. In addition to the original works of art on display at the Arts Center, prints can be ordered of some of his most popular paintings. 
Rantz paintings, originals and reproductions are on sale at the Arts Center.
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Gene`s wife, Judy, is featured in the Member Artist Gallery. Judy`s fiber art has evolved gradually through her years as an artist. Her love of quilting, sewing, design, color and texture have a new expression in the creations that you see in this exhibit. At Judy and Gene`s Gallery in Northport, Michigan, Judy is better known for her jewelry. The creation of these fiber works has developed in the last two years during her winter retreats in Suwannee where she more or less takes a vacation from making her jewelry. 
Examples of quilted purses made by Judy Rantz.
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Judy says the process for creating these intriguing fabric designs "just happens." When she sits down with her faithful Bernina sewing machine and stack of scrap material, the textures and colors and machine just seem to take over and she will find herself stitching into the wee hours of the night. Acrylic metallic paints and other embellishments are added to enhance the designs created by the fabric and machine. 
A rantz quilt that shows a love of red.
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Both exhibits will be open daily, 10 am to 5 pm throughout the month of January.
Editor`s Note: The photographs in this article were taken by Jim Hoy. As always, we recommend that readers see the origina art work rather than rely on the photograph quality | 
