EDWARD JONAS
Fine Art Portraiture & Sculpture
Meet the Artist
One belief has accompanied Florida artist Edward Jonas throughout his 40-year career, it is that while abstract art speaks to the artist realistic art speaks to the world. His high regard for the classical approach in both artistic techniques and teachings has brought not only high demand for his work but made him an advocate for change in art education programs. This belief lead Ed to be co-founder and current Chair of the Portrait Society of America, a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to promoting the practice and appreciation of fine art portraiture and figurative works. This sixteen-year-old international society, which is headquartered in Tallahassee, is supported by over 3,100 members that represent every state in the union and over twenty foreign countries. International Artist magazine published in Sydney Australia contains a reoccurring Portrait Society section where the best of American portrait art is brought to a worldwide audience. Ed contributes to each issue through his writings and art.
His portrait subjects have included the Governor Buddy MacKay, U.S. Ambassador to Viet Nam Pete Peterson, the families of professional golfer Greg Norman, Fuzzy Zoeller and Jack Nicolas. Most recently Ed has gained notice for his sculpture. His monumental bronze of two football players titled Sportsmanship stands at the west side of Doak Campbell Stadium. This past January saw the unveiling of his bronze of the founder of both Florida State University and the University of Florida, Frances Wayles Eppes, grandson of Thomas Jefferson.
Ed continues to make Florida his home and his studio time is now divided between assisting the Portrait Society in its educational mission and his portrait painting and sculpture commissions.
Ed received his Associates of Art degree on a scholarship at Brevard Community College and then went on to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Florida State University.
His first professional position came in 1975 when he was added to a core team of five museum professionals challenged with creating the Museum of Florida History. After ten years Ed resigned his position as Senior Museum and Exhibits Designer to pursue his own work.
