'Hopes, Dreams and Promises': Art League of Daytona Beach opens new exhibit, debuts new director

New Art League Director Monique Cohen, of Daytona Beach, assumed the position May 1.

  • By Suzanne McCarthy
  • | 11:00 a.m. June 8, 2026
  • Ormond Beach Observer
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The Art League of Daytona Beach hosted an opening reception on Sunday, June 7 for "Hopes, Dreams and Promises," an exhibition featuring 135 works of art by a seven-member group of women artists from the Orlando area.

The exhibit showcases artwork by Beatrice Athanas, Lillian Verkins, Debbie Smith, Marianna Ross, Bonnie Shapiro, Vera Gubnitskaia and Eliza Pineau, with paintings and sculptures in media ranging from oil, watercolor and pastel to clay, wood and repurposed materials.

"We meet every other month to encourage each other, support each other and check on each other's progress," Pineau said. "We bring two pieces each to critique and have all grown so much as artists."

The group was founded by Ross, an artist and educator who spent 34 years teaching art, most recently at Seminole State College, where she taught studio art and art history for 15 years.

The reception also marked one of the first exhibitions overseen by new Art League Director Monique Cohen, of Daytona Beach, who assumed the position May 1. Cohen also serves as the organization's membership chair.

"I came in to pick up my artwork and the president asked me if I wanted to be director, and I said yes," Cohen said. "The reason I said yes is because I have a love for the Art League, and everyone is much older than me. The way I grew up is that you do for your elders whatever they need — we show up and we help."

Founded in 1927, the Art League of Daytona Beach is the oldest arts organization in Volusia County. Established by local artists who formed an association to sketch at locations throughout Volusia County, the Art League of Daytona Beach today promotes the visual arts through exhibitions, education and community involvement.

Hopes, Dreams and Promises will remain on display at the Art League of Daytona Beach through July 4.

 

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