Charlotte County Florida Weekly

Local artists mourn passing of Sharon Yarbrough, leader of plein air group



“Land of the Free,” oil painting by Sharon Yarbrough. COURTESY PHOTO

“Land of the Free,” oil painting by Sharon Yarbrough. COURTESY PHOTO

Sharon Adele Yarbrough, who led the Peace River Painters group for nine years, passed away March 9, 2023, following a bout with cancer. She was 78.

Sharon was well-known in local art circles, both as the director of the Peace River Painters group, as well as an accomplished artist in her own right.

She was born March 26, 1944, in Long Beach, California, the daughter of Geraldine Adele (née Thomas) Yarbrough and Robert Clay Yarbrough. She grew up in Pleasantville, New Jersey.

Her mother encouraged her early interest in drawing, and she was inspired by her uncle who was an accomplished oil painter. She attended New York University for four years. Ms. Yarbrough’s formal training included classes at The Art Students League and Parsons School of Design in New York, and Ringling School of Art in Sarasota. She continued learning through workshops with renowned painters. Ms. Yarbrough painted in a contemporary impressionist style and was drawn to plein air (outdoor) painting after a two-week stint at Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France.

YARBROUGH

YARBROUGH

Ms. Yarbrough was well known in the Southwest Florida community of artists. For nine years, she was the leader of the Peace River Painters, a group of plein air artists. The group was started by Frank Miles in 2005, right after Hurricane Charley. Fran Hines and Clare Harvey managed it until 2013, when Ms. Yarbrough took it over. Every week from September through May, she chose the location where the group would meet to paint in Charlotte, DeSoto, Lee or Sarasota counties.

The group now includes more than 300 members who receive notice of the weekly paint-outs. Many snowbirds often join the group once or a few times a year when they are in the area. Painting sites vary from beaches to horse farms, historic buildings to marinas.

Ms. Yarbrough also arranged workshops for PRP members, taught by well-known area professional artists. She set up competitions for the members and arranged for prizes, as well as exhibitions and sales of the artists’ work.

“Reflections,” pastel painting by Sharon Yarbrough COURTESY PHOTO

“Reflections,” pastel painting by Sharon Yarbrough COURTESY PHOTO

One of those teachers, Hodges Soileau of Venice, said, “Sharon was a very special, kind and sharing person. My experiences with her were mostly involving the Peace River Painters during the workshops she organized for me. She was giving of her time and her passion for painting. She will be missed by all who knew her.”

Diane Mannion of Englewood, a longtime Peace River Painter and professional artist, said, “Not only was Sharon a dear friend of mine for over 10 years, she was a super-magnet that held the Peace River Painters together. Many artists gathered together around her, formed friendships and learned a lot about painting outside. She is missed but her energy will stay with us.”

Professional artist Fran Mangino added, “Sharon arranged plein air competitions for the group. She worked tirelessly, writing to art companies to provide merchandise for awards, and obtaining judges. She also arranged for area art centers to display the paintings for each competition.”

 

 

Before she moved to Florida, Ms. Yarbrough had worked as a paralegal for several years when she lived in Southern California. After moving to Port Charlotte in 1994, she was employed by the Punta Gorda law firm of Wotitzky, Wotitzky, Ross & Young, P.A. When she retired in 2010, she dove back into art full time and actively participated in community programs.

She won numerous awards for her work at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, the North Port Art Center and the DeSoto Arts and Humanities Council in Arcadia, as well as competitions in Sarasota and Fort Myers. She was twice chosen as one of “Florida’s Finest Ambassadors” for the Forgotten Coast en Plein Air Paint-out in the Florida Panhandle.

In 2022, Ms. Yarbrough was diagnosed with cancer and passed the management of the Peace River Painters to Susan E. Hoffman of Port Charlotte. She sold her home and, in January, moved in with a cousin in California, passing peacefully in her sleep just two months later. She was predeceased by her parents, and is survived by cousins Jerry Kays of Rancho Murieta, California, and Tonya Kays of Reno, Nevada.

No services are scheduled at this time. The Peace River Painters plan a celebration of life event early in 2024, along with a permanent memorial. More information will appear at www.peaceriverpainters.com. ¦

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