Join us for a special exhibit honoring the work of Leelanau County local and master artist Charles Passarelli. Charles creates work in the mediums of watercolor, oil, pastel, acrylic, mixed media, and wood carving.

Opening Reception with Charles (Open to the public): February 28, 3pm - 5pm

Charles Passarelli’s career is a testament to the enduring power of the brush. After serving in the Korean War, he spent decades at the heart of the American advertising boom, working within two of the nation’s largest art studios in Detroit before launching a prolific freelance career. With representation in New York, Atlanta, and Fort Lauderdale, his commercial illustrations helped define an era of marketing.

However, as the digital age began to replace traditional techniques with computers, Charles chose a different path. Unwilling to "sacrifice his brush," he reclaimed his creative independence by transitioning into fine art. This shift allowed him to trade client-driven solutions for personal expression, focusing his technical precision on the fluid, challenging medium of watercolor.

Over the last 20 years, his work has garnered top honors across the Southeast, including "Best in Watercolor" at the Delray National and Pigeon Key National Art Shows. A Signature Member of the Florida Watercolor Society and the Palm Beach Watercolor Society, he has spent nearly three decades mentoring the next generation of artists.

Even when faced with the modern challenges of a global pandemic, Charles adapted—taking his renowned teaching style from the classroom to a nationwide audience via Zoom. Today, he continues to embody the spirit of his favorite movie star’s philosophy: that the mark of a true artist is to never stop trying something new.

Explore more of Charles' work HERE.