AGNES STORY
Agnes Story is a former art teacher who worked with schools in Collier County Public Schools for 25 years. Now retired for the past three years, she works in her home studio on Country Creek Drive on her own artwork – Large Mandala Paintings.
Originally from Venezuela, Agnes earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA, 1979) degree from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minnesota. She moved from Wisconsin to Florida in 1985 with her husband and kids. They later moved from Naples to the Villages at Country Creek six years ago, to retire.
She has always found enjoyment in art and has gone through a number of design stages over her career. Drawings were her first projects, some of them in graphite lithographic crayon and watercolors. Later, she moved into photography and created photo collages. Eventually this led her to experiment with collages using specialty papers. She has created a book of her work chronicling the various stages and development of artistic work throughout her career. This will be a prized keepsake for her children.
Now her work focuses on Acrylic paintings of art designs called “mandalas,” a geometric design or pattern, typically circular, that is a representation of the universe. In many cultures, mandalas are used in meditation. She is also inspired by old textile designs researched and put together in a book by Susan Meller. Those patterns as well as Quilting Designs are drawn and painted into the circular mandala format, created in her home studio. Her goal is to develop a large inventory of her art along with a website and to exhibit her work in major galleries.
JIM LUZZI
Jim Luzzi is a semi-retired professional photographer. Originally from New Jersey, he has been a Florida resident for seven years and a VCC resident for four years. Though semi-retired, he likes to stay busy and takes his photography equipment everywhere, ready for whatever moment presents itself. You likely will have seen his work in many places, including Estero LifeMagazine.
As noted on his website, jluzziphoto.com, Jim’s career in photography began in New York City working as a darkroom technician at the Time/Life photo lab. While there, he worked alongside some of the industry’s top photographers, photo editors and art directors for Life magazine, Time magazine, Sports Illustrated, and People magazine.
His work spans everything from quiet, respectful wildlife photography to polished magazine covers and professional portraits. Jim’s approach to nature is patient—he believes every animal encounter is a privilege, and always reminds himself, “This is their house.”
Jim’s photos are copyrighted, but he has given us permission to publish a few. Check out his website for a broader display of his work. It’s truly amazing.
Website: jluzziphoto.com
