Art by:
Mark P. Wygonik
&
Shotsi Cain Lajoie
Opening Reception:
Sunday, October 11, 2026
1pm-3pm
Angels & Butterflies
by Wygonik
Rothko’s Ocean
by Shotsi Cain Lajoie
About the Galleries at First Pres
The Galleries at First Pres began in January of 2017 and was founded by Dr. Jacob Craig, with Peter and Carole Coe as curators. Their mission is to feature a wide variety of works by local artists, on rotation quarterly throughout the year. The Galleries are located throughout the campus of First Presbyterian Church. They are open for viewing from 12pm to 3pm, Monday through Thursday. Guided tours can be made available upon request. Admission is free and open to the community.
Our current curator is Mrs. Susan "Suze" Lavender. Suze was born and raised on the south shore of Long Island, NY. Her two loves were always Art and the Sea. She loves to draw and paint moments to release emotions. Although she has never been formally trained in Art, except for the odd class in a variety of different mediums, her art shows a natural talent and beauty that exhibits a deep love and the heart and soul she puts into her work. Since meeting and studying under Frits Van Eeden in the last five years, she feels that he has opened up a window of what could be. Suze’s art now has the energy, emotion, color, and passion that she’s always strived to put on canvas. Suze says, “I have been an artist my entire life, but I have had no formal training until recently. I knew I had so much to say and had no idea how to transfer my thoughts onto canvas. There was a time when I viewed photographic and detailed production as the epitome of artistry. Gratefully, that is no longer the case. My New York upbringing is especially present in my cityscapes, and I've discovered how to communicate my ideas emotionally through textures, color choice, and subject. I've yet to travel the world however my paintings have created a world for me.”
Our Artist in Residence, Sheila Lougheed, has some of her artwork displayed throughout campus. Her most recent religious-inspired works can be found lining the stairwell of the Center for Christian Life- a 7-painting series that was created live during Sunday services in the Lenten Season of 2018. Each piece represents a different theme during the period of Lent. The final work of this series is a 12-foot tall painting of a dove to represent to resurrection and rebirth of Christ.
All about Mark P. Wygonik
MARK P. WYGONIK
Mark returned to Vero Beach in 1985, after having spent the years after graduating Vero Beach Highschool in 1776. In college, working briefly in South Florida, then moving to the Turks & Caicos Islands for 4 years, where he was Art Director for a Caribbean publication and ran his own Graphics Design Firm.
Once back in Vero, Mark immersed himself into several Arts organizations, including working with the initial group starting the Children’s Arts Festival, and L’Esprit des Amis, an early for-runner to several Arts initiatives.
He worked with several Graphic Design/Advertising firms, and in 1991, partnered with Virginia Knapp to open EYE OF THE LIZARD GALLERY…an Avant Garde black-walled Fine Arts Gallery on A1A that specialized in both contemporary and undiscovered Artists.
Mark had several solo shows while at the EYE, and was instrumental in organizing the PALETTE to PALATE Gallery Stroll Beachside.
In 2000, Mark took over curating and cataloging a private Contemporary Art Collection, while also showing his own work at various galleries around town.
Mark works with the Cultural Council of IRC and their ART IN PUBLIC PLACES program, and is a member of the VBMA and FOCA.
This current exhibit is based on the time spent in 2025 in Calabria (Southern Italy) and research done while there searching for clues to my Maternal side of the Family…both Grandparents born in that beautiful area of Italy between the Tyrannian and Ionian Seas.
All about Shotsi Cain Lajoie
SHOTSI CAIN LAJOIE
Abstract expressionism is emotional. My colors, gestures, splashes and marks are expressions of my feelings in my creative space.
I study many contemporary and master painters like Helen Frankenthaler, Cy Twombly, and Joan Mitchell. I look at art, travel to see art and study composition. I find the freedom of my own expression in understanding art.
I use my experiences on the water, rowing, as an inspiration.
My family, friends, patrons and fellow artists are necessary to my ongoing growth as an artist. I am profoundly grateful for their support.
Shotsi Cain Lajoie is a self-taught studio artist and former owner/partner of Tiger Lily Art Studios & Gallery in Vero Beach, Florida . She maintains a studio/gallery in her home. Her work hangs in private collections throughout the United States and Canada.
She currently sits on the boards of Vero Beach Rowing, Inc. and is president of The Center for Spiritual Care, here in Vero Beach. She maintains a private practice as licensed psychotherapist.