Page 7 - Jupiter Spotlight - April '23

Jupiter Spotlight, Page 7
WPTV News Anchor And Artist Ashleigh Walters Debuts

‘Exhibit A’ At Lighthouse ArtCenter, April 13 To 22

Lighthouse ArtCenter is
excited to present “exhibit
A,” the art of WPTV news
anchor and artist Ashleigh
Walters, from April 13 to
22. The exhibition includes
more than 50 acrylic
paintings, jewelry pieces,
and small-scaled three-
dimensional objects. The
opening reception takes Cheese Balls Fluff Abstract
place on Thursday, April
13, 5 to 7 p.m. at Lighthouse ArtCenter, 373 Tequesta Walters’ art celebrates the variety of what people
Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469. Admission is free for members consider “ordinary life” and explores how the same item
and a $5 donation is suggested for nonmembers. For more or place can evoke nostalgia or emotion differently. She
information, visit lighthousearts.org. captures a snapshot in time with well-known household

Hey, Sugar!

brands and products such as Goldfish, Marshmallow
Fluff, Mrs. Butterworth’s, and McDonald’s as her subject
matter. Her paintings use contrast, shadow, and reflection
to make moments in color beyond what exists to the eye.
CARDIAC SURGERY “I am interested in how people’s lives intersect with
their neighborhood and home. We may choose products
An innovative approach to minimally invasive heart surgery into adulthood because that’s a brand our parents always
purchased, or we may associate a specific brand with
Joe Santoro had been dealing with our perceived level of luxury,” said Walters. “Places like
mitral valve disease for almost laundromats and barber shops are interesting; some of
a decade when his cardiologist my most valued conversations have happened in diners.
told him his new symptoms were These seemingly ‘ordinary’ spaces and objects are where
caused by an additional heart so much of life happens. It’s fun to consider what that
condition – atrial fibrillation. looks like to each of us.”
Walters often uses repetition in her work but sees and
paints each item as an individual. She photographs and
After his doctor advised him to paints shelves stocked with products in grocery stores
undergo a procedure to treat the and is fascinated by how each section evokes a different
valve disease, Joe, a first-grade mood. Although many of the products she paints are not
teacher and musician, decided to things she eats or feels nostalgic about, they still produce
get a second opinion. He chose an emotion for her.
Cleveland Clinic Florida, where “My paintings are mostly still lifes and landscapes, but
he met with Jose L. Navia, MD, in some ways, I see them as portraits of individuals and
Director of the Cleveland Clinic Three weeks after Joe’s robotically assisted valve repair surgery, communities. The objects and spaces reflect the people
Florida Heart, Vascular and he was back to normal activities. His band played a gig – and he who use them, enjoy them, or cast them aside,” said
Thoracic Institute and Minimally played right along with them. Walters. “I love to seek out the ‘ordinary’ when I travel
Invasive Valve Program. and in various neighborhoods here at home because it’s
He chose a robotically assisted approach a gift of perspective.”
“I left my appointment with Dr. Navia to his mitral valve repair surgery because In addition to her paintings, Walters is showing small-
scaled jewelry and objects created from epoxy resin.
knowing I had more options,” Joe says. it was less invasive than traditional open- Walters is also painting a new piece that will be
heart surgery and he would heal faster. auctioned to benefit Lighthouse ArtCenter’s 3-D School
“I was jumping around, playing of Art. The ArtCenter is hosting a cup-a-thon fundraising
guitar and singing three weeks “A robotically assisted approach for valve event to raise money for a much-needed new roof and
repair surgery is the ultimate new use for
kiln on April 14 from 3 to 7 p.m. Walters’ piece will be
post heart surgery. It was technology,” Dr. Navia says. “This approach auctioned online, with the winner announced on Monday,
amazing how fast I recovered.” provides the patient with a better option to April 17. Photos courtesy of Ashleigh Walters
have a durable repair or replacement of the
— JOE SANTORO valve.”

TALK WITH AN EXPERT.
Patients from across the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean
turn to Cleveland Clinic Florida’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute for life-
saving treatment options. To schedule an appointment with one of our heart
specialists, call 877.463.2010 or visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Heart to
learn more. Jose Navia, MD

The top choice for heart care.

From routine cardiac care to complex transplants,

trust South Florida’s #1 hospital.

877.463.2010
ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Heart

Ashleigh Walters