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Watch multidisciplinary artist Hazel Griffiths turn beeswax, damar resin, and pigment into layered landscapes and luminous reef scenes at Gallery CERO. This two-hour encaustic demonstration mixes history, hands-on technique, and live Q&A—perfect for artists, collectors, and curious travelers.
Watch multidisciplinary artist Hazel Griffiths turn beeswax, damar resin, and pigment into layered landscapes and luminous reef scenes at Gallery CERO. This two-hour encaustic demonstration mixes history, hands-on technique, and live Q&A—perfect for artists, collectors, and curious travelers.
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Operated by Wekiva Island · Longwood, Florida
Gallery CERO in Longwood, Florida, hosts a focused, two-hour encaustic painting demonstration led by multidisciplinary artist Hazel Griffiths. In a bright studio space, Hazel transforms beeswax, damar resin, and pigment into layered landscapes and luminous underwater reef scenes, revealing a process that is at once ancient and immediate.
Encaustic painting dates back to the Fayum portraits of Roman Egypt, where pigments mixed with hot wax preserved faces for millennia. At Gallery CERO you watch that tradition updated: Hazel melts beeswax with damar resin, applies pigmented layers with palette knives and heated irons, and manipulates surfaces with heat guns, torches, and scraping tools. The result is a physical topography of ridges, translucent veils, and embedded texture that catches light differently from traditional paint.
What makes this demonstration especially valuable for visitors is its tactile visibility. Instead of a static exhibit, guests witness decision-making in real time—how to build translucent skies, how to imply moving water with wax, and how to unify mixed media into a single surface. Hazel often chooses either an abstract landscape or a coral reef scene, showing techniques to suggest depth and atmosphere without relying on dense brushwork.
The session suits artists and curious travelers alike. It’s compact—two hours—yet rich with technique: medium preparation, tool selection, layering strategy, and methods to preserve encaustic surfaces. There’s also a brief historical framing, connecting modern practice to ancient encaustic traditions and to Hazel’s background in oil painting and digital processes.
Gallery CERO’s demonstration is a cultural anchor for daytrippers exploring the Longwood area. It offers a calm, creative pause after hiking or paddling, inviting visitors to consider materiality and light from a maker’s perspective. For collectors, it’s a chance to evaluate technique up close; for students, a live tutorial in studio workflow.
Practical notes: the event is two hours long; bring a notepad and camera (check gallery photo policy). The studio can get warm near heat tools, so light layers are advisable. Tickets often sell out when Hazel is scheduled; booking through the referral link ensures a place in a small, focused group.
By the end you’ll have seen raw organic materials—beeswax and damar—become a luminous surface that holds both memory and motion, and you’ll leave with a new appreciation for a medium whose roots run deep into art history while remaining utterly modern.
Local visitors and tourists will find the demo accessible whether they come alone or in small groups; the format invites questions and brief hands-on moments when permitted by the artist. Buyers can inquire about works in progress. After the demonstration attendees often linger to speak with Hazel about varnishing, framing, and conservation of wax surfaces. Follow Hazel on Instagram at hazelgriffithsart or visit hazelgriffiths.com for upcoming events.
easy.
2 hours.
No special fitness required; suitable for most ages and mobility levels though standing for parts of the demo is possible.
The event runs about two hours, including an introduction to encaustic history, a live painting, and brief Q&A.
Photography rules vary by gallery; most allow non-flash photos for personal use—check with Gallery CERO on arrival.
Yes. The demo is designed to be informative for beginners and instructive for experienced artists.
Attendees can inquire about available works or commissions—ask the artist or gallery staff at the end of the session.
Demonstrations focus on observing technique; brief hands-on moments may be allowed at the artist’s discretion.
Hazel covers basic conservation tips such as temperature stability, framing under glass if needed, and avoiding direct sunlight.
Encaustic painting traces to the Fayum funerary portraits of Roman Egypt; the medium’s hot-wax technique preserves vibrant color over centuries.
Artists often choose sustainably sourced beeswax and responsibly harvested damar resin; galleries minimize waste by recycling palette scraps and using refillable containers.
Wekiva Island is a riverfront recreation and rental destination in Longwood, Florida, offering cabana rentals, group spaces, guided paddle experiences, and seasonal family events. The property features multiple private and semi-private cabanas—Audubon Cabana, Otter Cabana, Barefoot Cabana, Cabana #1, Cabana #2, Cabana #3, Canoe Cabana, The Point, and The Beach Club—each with outdoor seating and amenities that include gas grills, coolers or beverage refrigerators, and direct water access where noted. The Beach Club is the largest rentable space and accommodates up to forty guests, while several cabanas serve groups of ten to twenty-five people. Guided offerings include the Wekiva Island Paddle Adventure, which begins with a brief paddling lesson and proceeds with a guided tour on the Wekiva River; participants may have opportunities to swim in clear springs during suitable conditions. Seasonal and holiday programming includes family-friendly events such as Donuts with Santa, Breakfast With Santa, Ornament Decorating with Elves, and Stories with Mrs. Claus. One cabana—The Point—permits pop-up tents, a unique allowance on the island that supports small gatherings and customized setups. Wekiva Island operates on the Wekiva River corridor and supports responsible recreation near local conservation partners. Rentals clearly list capacities and included amenities, while larger spaces provide picnic tables, fire pits, and direct water access for paddling and swimming. Visitors can reserve day rentals for private events, group outings, or relaxed beach-style days. The venue emphasizes convenience with stocked coolers or beverage refrigerators, upgraded privacy features, and on-site grills to support cooking and catering options.
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