Sun Bear Gallery and Studio
Unique beachside art gallery and gift shop showcasing one of a kind art and jewelry along with offering sunset paint parties!
Photo Gallery
Featured Artist -Cia Dreves
“As a painter in oils, I paint water, because it fascinates me. The bays, the ocean, the Gulf...so much the same and yet so different. They are moody and magnificent. Painting is a journey, and I feel I've only just begun."
Artist in Oils
Contributing Artists
Marie Youngpeter - Gallery Resident Artist
Marie is currently the in-house artist and Operations Manager at Sun Bear Gallery and Studio. She is a self-taught artist who just enjoys creating! She primarily paints in acrylic and uses subject matter associated with her love of the beach, though she has been known to paint a War Eagle every once in the while. After a rewarding and exhausting career in child welfare she has recently retired and is realizing her dream of one day having a gallery and studio where up and coming artist might show and sell their work. Her belief is that everyone has a creative gene... whether it is in painting, gardening, cooking, styling or just managing a household. She enjoys helping others to bring out the "little artist" in them and spending time talking shop with fellow art lovers
Gary Mitchell -Artist/Writer
Gary Mitchell is an artist and writer who lives in Luverne and Mentone, Alabama. He is retired from his public service career with various federal and state agencies, the longest tenure in the social work field. He currently owns and operates the G. Mitchell Gallery in Luverne. He has written two books, the first being a fictional novel, The One That Got Away and the second, Whippoorwills at Dusk Along Gourd Neck Road, a short biographical collection of stories about life in Fullers Crossroads, Alabama. He is currently preparing a book of poetry spanning from the 1960's to present for publishing. He is a self-taught artist whose style of painting varies with his mood. Most of his work displays the use of vivid colors. His favorite style is a mixture of post modern and primitive influences. Many pieces done by Gary display colorful and playful moods. His works can be found at Gary Mitchell Art on Facebook.
Reagan Hernandez-Artist
Reagan grew up and has lived most of her life on the west end of PCB, FL. She has traveled to many coasts and beaches, yet she still affirms that PCB beaches are truly the worlds most beautiful. The water has always been her "happy place", and she expresses that through her paintings. She has painted many subjects, but her heart is painting what she loves, the beach!!! Reagan started painting in middle school and continued to take all the available art classes she could. When in college Reagan’s studies went a different direction and soon she realized she longed to create! After college, she focused on painting and self teaching different technics. Besides loving the beach, Reagan enjoys using bright vivid colors. She says, " I can paint a picture and everything is technically corrrect, but if it lacks beauty in the colors, I have failed to convey my real feelings behind the painting". Her hope is that people connect with her art as much as she does, and are able to experience a piece of her happy place.
Linda Kardos-Seamstress and Art Lover
Linda originated from New York and worked a career in Retail Management for 25 yrs in Miami, Fl. She now lives in Enterprise, Al where she learned the Southern colloquialism “ya’ll“! Linda is a detailed seamstress and is continuously exploring quilt patterns/projects to develop her skills. Linda has always exhibited a creative gene as she has enjoyed drawing , cross stitch, and other crafting and has sold at local events and through a word of mouth following! She enjoys doing custom work and applique while taking on challenging projects. Linda is an avid reader and books are her passion and constant companion. Several pieces of Linda’s work are In the gallery!
Mark Scheer-Local Artist
Mark believes the most important characteristics of his work may be the local elements, the beach. This can be seen in a series he created on air and sunshine using nature's wood as canvas. He feels communicating principle is the main message, and behind it a strong sense of physicality.
Mark has a passion for and drawn to the elements of beachlife. He feels the beach is where we locally come together and connect, and are able to share around an object. The beach is ancient, and it says a lot. Mark was raised in Panama City, and has lived on the beach for close to two decades. This likely results in most of his work portraying subtle and calming art around the elements of the beach!
Mark shares that everyone has great stake in the human experience, and further, can deliver gifts from individual exploration. In short, it takes one to know one, and so together we can participate. In practice, and as an inspiration, applying these ideas across our connections, with our media, and the effort is collaborative. Each part experiences a role, and makes a whole, and so Mark strives to encourage this participation through is work.
Cia Dreves-Artist/Writer
As a painter in oils, Cia is largely self-taught, drawing on her general knowledge of art through a 30+ year career in advertising.
"I paint water", she says, "because it fascinates me. The bays, the ocean, the Gulf...so much the same and yet so different. They are moody and magnificent."
She speaks of their colors, from greens and gold to silvery blues. Often she tries to capture the relationship between the sky and the water or the water and the creatures who depend on it.
"Painting is a journey," Cia says, "and I feel I've only just begun."
