Visual and Performing Artists and Their Events in the news August 15-21, 2023

This is who and what’s creating news in Southwest Florida’s visual and performing arts community this week:

1     ACTORS

Nancy Antonio is Chief of Staff Harriet for Lab in ‘POTUS’

Nancy Antonio plays the part of the President’s uber-competent Chief of Staff Harriett for Lab Theater in POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. Nancy has been performing on area stages for over 40 years. Some of her favorite shows include Lips Together, Teeth Apart at Theatre Conspiracy, Over the Tavern at The Herb Strauss theatre, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof at The Lab Theater and Over The River And Through The Woods in the Off Broadway Palm for Prather Entertainment.

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Rosie DeLeon plays TWA flight attendant Gloria in ‘Boeing Boeing’

Rosie DeLeon has appeared often on the boards at various Lee County venues. She plays TWA flight attendant Gloria in Boeing Boeing for Cultural Park Theatre. Rosie’s credits include the role Lilly for The Studio Players in Jonathan Caron’s Need to Know (for which she also served as its Assistant Director), Corrie Bratter for The Studio Players in Barefoot in the Park, P.B. in One Slight Hitch and Lauren in Circle Mirror Transformation for The Studio Players. You can access the rest of Rosie’s stage credits here.

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Celene Evans is FLOTUS in Lab’s ‘POTUS’

Celene Evans appears in the role of FLOTUS in POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. The role marks her Laboratory Theater debut. However, Celene is no stranger to the stage. Most recently, Celene played both Lottie and Carmen in The Naples Players’ production of By The Way, Meet Vera Stark. Her previous credits include include playing Clema in Neil Simon’s Proposals and Myra in Right Bed, Wrong Husband with The Charlotte Players. Read the rest of Celen’s profile here.

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Mitch Frank plays Sam the Butcher in ‘The Cemetery Club’

Mitch Frank is a recent transplant from New Jersey, where he performed in community theater for more than 30 years. He made his Florida debut and first appearance with The Studio Players in the role of Art Kirk in Nuts. Prior credits with The Studio Players include the roles of Sean Grennan in Beer for Breakfast and Peter in Slow Food. He next appears for The Studio Players as the butcher, Sam, in The Cemetery Club.

For more, read here.

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Betsy Greenblatt is Ida in ‘Cemetery Club’ for Studio Players

Betsy Greenblatt made her Southwest Florida premiere as Judge Murdoch in Nuts for The Studio Players. She next plays Ida for The Studio Players in Ivan Menchell’s The Cemetery Club. Her other local credits include the role Silda in Other Desert Cities and Irene in Slow Food, both for The Studio Players. The rest of Betsy Greenblatt’s profile is here.

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Marilyn Hilbert is Doris in ‘The Cemetery Club’

Marilyn Hilbert plays the part of Doris for The Studio Players in Ivan Menchell’s The Cemetery Club. Her prior credits include Laugh, Cry, Pee, Repeat! for The Marco Players, the role of retired lawyer, Greenwich Village activist and art gallery proprietor Gladys Green in The Studio Players’ production of The Waverly Gallery, Over the River, Sonja in the Marco Players’ production of Tango at 2:30, Ethyl in On Golden Pond, Daisy in Driving Miss Daisy, Rose’s Dilemma, Take Five, Plaza Suite, The Last Romance, Sunset Park and Love Loss and What I Wore, as well as Second Lady by M. Kilburg Reedy and Love Letters in The Marco Players’ Lunch Box Series.

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Sharon Isern is President’s secretary in Lab’s ‘POTUS’

Sharon Isern appears in the role of the President’s hapless secretary, Stephanie, in POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive for Lab Theater. Her stage credits include Claire Fathi in Faceless for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts, Robyn in The Roommate and Dagmara in The Chechens for Theatre Conspiracy. The role marks her Lab Theater debut. Go here for more of Sharon’s theatrical credits.

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Gabrielle Lansden is mistress Dusty in Lab Theatre’s ‘POTUS’

Gabrielle Lansden is a multitalented creative. In addition to being a gifted actor, she is the owner of PeachyKeen Party Entertainment, a self-employed voice actor, Scenic Designer for Laboratory Theater of Florida, former prop master/artist for The Naples Players and promotional model and brand ambassador at Rockstar Harley-Davidson. She currently appears for Lab Theater in the role of Dusty in POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. Please go here for Gabrielle’s extensive theatrical credits.

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Rachael Lord is Greta Ohlsson in ‘Murder on the Orient Express’

Rachael Lord is a professional EMC actor, singer, dancer, poet and fantasy writer. She appears in the role of Greta Ohlsson for Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Murder on the Orient Express. Rachael’s stage credits include Andrina/ensemble in Disney’s Little Mermaid, Kari in Always a Bridesmaid (Off Broadway Palm), work in the ensemble of The Wizard of Oz, a Postulant in The Sound of Music, work in the ensemble of The Wizard of Oz, and a featured singer in Ha! Ha! Ho! The Holiday Show (Off Broadway Palm). Go here to view Rachael’s extensive stage credits.

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Noah Lynch is Schroeder in ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’

Noah Lynch appears in the role of Schroeder in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Previous roles include the Beast in Beauty and the Beast,  Tom Collins in Rent, Lurch in The Addams Family Musical, Adam in Theory of Relativity, Al Deluca in A Chorus Line and Zeke in High School Musical. When not on stage, Noah works behind the scenes as Lighting Designer and Technical Director at Fort Myers Theatre.

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Allison Lund is President’s black sheep sister in Lab’s ‘POTUS’

Allison Lund appears for Lab Theater in the role of Bernadette in POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. Allison’s character is POTUS’ sister, who not only has designs on one of the women in the President’s orbit, but is on furlough from federal prison for drug dealing in hopes of securing a pardon and her freedom compliments of her brother. Go here for Allison’s theatrical credits.

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Loyse Michel is White House correspondent Chris in ‘POTUS’

Loyse Michel plays an ambitious female White House correspondent by the name of Chris in POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. She exuberantly roams the halls at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in search of a story that will make her a household name. Chris is a living example of the adage ‘Be careful what you wish for.’ How so? Well, you’ll have to see this hilarious farce, full of the requisite slamming doors. The role represents Loyse’s Lab Theater debut.

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Samantha Pudlin is lucy in ‘Charlie Brown’

Samantha Pudlin appears as Lucy for Fort Myers Theatre in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Pudlin’s recent stage credits include Gabrielle in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at The Belle Theatre, one of the disciples in Godspell at Fort Myers Theatre, the role of Meg in Little Women for Fort Myers Theatre, ensemble work in Head Over Heels for New Phoenix Theatre, the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot and Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors. But there’s more. Read the rest of Samantha’s stage credits here.

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Jake Raterman stars in ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’

Jake Raterman stars as Charlie Brown in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Prior stage credits include Mr. Holgate in Bulletproof Backpack at the Center for Performing Arts Bonita, Hovstad in An Enemy of the People at Florida Gulf Coast University, Max in Cabaret at the Alliance for the Arts, Fred Casely in Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse, Jesus in Odd Couple: Female Version for Belle Theatre and work in the ensemble of Rent. Go here for more about Jake.

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Elizabeth Robb is Snoopy in Fort Myers Theatre’s ‘Charlie Brown’

Elizabeth Robb plays the part of Snoopy for Fort Myers Theatre in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Previous stage credits include Evie in Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, Babette in Beauty and the Beast, a member of the ensemble in Les Miserables for Melody Lane Theatre (2021), one of the Venus A-Go-Go Girls in Rock of Ages High School Edition for Melody Lane Theatre (2021) and Bird Girl 1 in Seussical the Musical for Creative Theatre Workshop (2021).

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Sanderson featured by Arts Center Theatre’s ‘Afternoon of Play Readings’

Leslie Sanderson is an accomplished actor and director. She appeared most recently Hollywood Arms. But she is also a gifted playwright, as evidenced by the fact that the Arts Center Theatre on Marco Island is featuring two of her plays, Other Priorities and Infrequent Flyers, in An Afternoon of Play Readings on August 27. Go here for more.

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Stacy Stauffer is beleaguered press secretary for Lab in POTUS

Stacy Stauffer is a talented character actor who lives and performs in Fort Myers. She appears in the role of the President’s press secretary for Lab Theater in POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. She last appeared as Cinderella’s stepmother in Into the Woods at New Phoenix Theatre. You will find the rest of Stacy’s stage credits here.

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John Strealy plays Robert for Cultural Park in ‘Boeing Boeing’

John D. Strealy appears for Cultural Park Theatre in the role of Robert in Boeing Boeing. John’s credits include Steven in Jonathan Caroln’s Need to Know for The Studio Players, Yasmina Reza’s Art, Paul Bratter for The Studio Players in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park, Ryan in Lewis Black’s One Slight Hitch, Wayne Wellcare in Inspecting Carol for New Phoenix Theatre and klepto-director Sir Frank Finger in It’s Only a Play, and Jason Shelburne in Body & Sold. View more of John’s credits here.

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2     ARTISTS

Spotlight on River Basin muralist David Acevedo

Pop artist David Acevedo painted two of the murals at the Fort Myers River Basin, #8 depicting the commanding officers quarters of the Seminole/Civil War fort that subsquently became the home of Manuel and Evalina Gonzalez and Harvie and Florida Heitman and #45, which depicts the City of Palms Steamship that made the inaugural trip on the cross-state waterway.

Please go here to learn more about David and his work.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Rod Acosta

Local artist Rodney Acosta painted two murals for the Fort Myers River Basin. The first (#7) depicts the guardhouse and a map of the 1850s fort from which our town takes its name. The second is a mural of Fort Myers most venerable sheriff, Frank Tippins, in a boat with a posse heading to “The Glades.” Rodney works chiefly in mixed media on canvas or board. His compositions often include textiles and found objects. His technique features extreme light contrasts, heavy textures and scratching over layers of oil. Acosta is also a 3D artist, producing steel and wood sculpture. Want more? Go here.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Cesar Aguilera

At the basin adjoining the Luminary Hotel, there’s a realist depiction of the Lee County Packing House as it appeared in 1913, about a year before it burned to the water line on January 30 the following year. It is the work of one of Fort Myers’ best known artists, Cesar Aguilera. Many know Aguilera through his mixed media paintings, but he is also accomplished in drawing, painting, sculpture, film, special effects, make-up, costume design, fashion design, acting and even performance art. His mixed media pieces not only embrace traditional media such as oils and acrylics, but such unconventional materials as coffee, bleach, discarded technology and found objects of every ilk and design. Go here for the rest of this post.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Juan Pablo Almonacid

Local artist and Fort Myers Mural Society member Juan Pablo Almonacid is one of the River Basin muralists. He painted Mural #25, the Menge Brothers Steamship Suwanee. Born in Chicago in 1974 and raised in Fort Lauderdale, JP was consumed by drawing from an early age. During his adolescence, he was influenced by graphic and graffiti art. After graduating from high school in 1993, he was accepted into the Fine Arts program of the National University in Bogota, Columbia and completed a four-year apprenticeship in 2001 with Armando Villegas, a pioneer of Modern Art in Latin America. The rest of JP’s bio is here.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Israel Alpizar

Local artist and Fort Myers Mural Society member Israel Alpizar is one of the River Basin muralists. He painted mural #39, which depicts legendary Fort Myers High Swim Coach Wes Nott watching one of his student practice diving. Alpizar is an independent art director, web and graphic designer, and video and marketing brander for several companies across the United States. Proficient in both fine art and digital media production, Israel received his Bachelor’s Degree from The Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago. Israel often exhibits his art and conducts live painting demonstrations at art festivals like ArtFest Fort Myers. The rest of this post is here.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Lorrie Bennett

Lorrie Bennett is one of 39 artists who have painted murals for the River Basin Mural Project being conducted by the City’s Public Art Committee, Community Redevelopment Agency and Fort Myers Mural Society. Lorrie has painted two River Basin murals – one of Seminole Chief and feared warrior Billy Bowlegs and the other of Jehu Blount’s general store at the northwest corner of Hendry and Front Streets. Lorrie describes herself as a self-taught intuitive, contemporary, and expressive mixed media artist and illustrator who, from an early age, had an affinity for drawing and painting. For Lorrie, creating has always been a journey of experimentation and exploration. Read here to find out more about Lorrie’s work, accomplishments and storied career.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Senaa Bezzaz

Mural #31 at the Fort Myers River Basin is a rendition of the Thomas A. Edison steamship that was lost during the fire that claimed the Lee County Packing Plant on January 30, 1914. The muralist is Senaa Bezzaz. Born in Casablanca in 1981, where she studied art at the University of Fine Arts, Bezzaz now calls Fort Myers home. Senaa is accomplished in various facets of art, from drawing and painting to sculpture, writing, decorative and cinematic set design and construction, a field in which she has excelled and continues to thrive. In the latter regard, her credits include Ben X (2011), Kandisha (2008) and Whatever Lola Wants (2007). Go here for more on Sanaa and her work.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Pat Collins

Mixed media pop artist Patricia Collins painted three River Basin murals: one of Fashionista Flossie Hill, another of Tootie McGregor Terry driving the first piling for the seawall she persuaded riparian owners to install along the bank of the Caloosahatchee River and a third that depicts a turkey hunt in the pine forests east of town. Regrettably, only Turkey Hunt can be viewed right now. The other two are waiting for the stanchions they go on to be repaired of the damage they suffered from the surge generated by Hurricane Ian. Patricia Collins creates mixed media works, with a focus on painting & printmaking, as well as murals and interactive mixed media constructions/installations such as the pieces she presented in her 2022 solo show titled Action Reaction Interaction at Florida Gulf Coast University’s ArtLab. See what else Pat’s done and read about her process here.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Sherry Lynn Diaz

Local artist Sherry Lynn Diaz painted two murals for the Fort Myers River Basin project. The first is Mural #3, the great Seminole Alligator Chief and warrior Billy Bowlegs, and the second is Mural #15 of Major James Evans who homesteaded all of the land located within the old Seminole and Civil War fort in 1875. Sherry has exhibited her art in juried local, state and national shows, earning awards on all three levels, including two well-received one-woman shows. Her art can be found in private and corporate collections in the Dominican Republic as well as many places throughout the United States. Go here to access Sherry’s bio and artistic achievements.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Ruben Dimas

On the Hendry Street side of the detention basin next to Luminary Hotel three stanchions south of Edwards Drive is a mural of Henry Ford sitting in a Model T. It’s the car that Ford had the local dealer deliver to his friend and neighbor Thomas Edison on the occasion of the latter’s birthday in 1916. The mural was rendered by Fort Myers Mural Society member Ruben Dimas. Dimas is an automotive artist born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida. He specializes in automotive illustrations, graphic design, and product design for the auto industry. Read about Ruben and his body of work here.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Victor Dotres

This is a mural of an unidentified angler posing with a 7’ tarpon outside Fort Myers’ Royal Palm Hotel. Yes, until the late 1920s, it was actually possible to snag trophy-size silver king in the waters of the Caloosahatchee River.

This mural was painted by Victor Dotres, an accomplished artist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting from the University of Florida. Victor has been a teacher in the Collier County Public School District since 2001 and serves as an esteemed member of the City of Fort Myers Public Art Committee.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Carolyn Gora

The 27th mural at the Fort Myers River Basin depicts two men in a boat on the Caloosahatchee River. It was painted by Carolyn Gora, as a nod to her maiden name, Fishman.  The original historic photograph appealed to the native Floridian because it reminded her of growing up in St. Petersburg, Florida.  The sunset in the background was influenced by the sunsets on the Caloosahatchee near her home. Carolyn graduated with a BA and Masters in Art Education from the University of South Florida.  She was an art instructor for thirty years, teaching kindergarten through university.  Go here for more on Carolyn’s career as an arts educator and professional affiliations.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Claudia Goode

Mural 8 in the Fort Myers River Basin Mural Project depicts the town’s namesake, Colonel Abraham C. Myers. But what you probably don’t know is how the fort that the Army built here came to be named for the Colonel – or why the artist who painted his portrait placed a pile of skulls at his feet. Once you do, it will come as no surprise that the artist who rendered this mural is none other than Claudia Goode. Claudia is best known throughout Southwest Florida as the curator and motivating force at Arts for ACT Gallery in the Arcade Building on First Street. The acronym stands for Abuse Counseling and Treatment, which is the domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking center in Fort Myers. Goode has been its Human Resource Director since 2000. And since 2003, she has also served as the curator of the gallery. For more, read here.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Bill Kreutz

Mural 29 at the Fort Myers river basin is a depiction of City Transfer. It was painted by artist Bill Kreutz.

Bill has been creating art all of his life. A 1966 graduate of Ivy School of Professional Art, Bill also serves as an instructor at the Center for the Arts in Bonita Springs.

“To create the look and feel I want to achieve, my work relies heavily on contemporary street art, which I call ‘sophisticated graffiti,’” says Bill. “It is done with cans of acrylic spray paint and enhanced with selected brushwork.” Read here for more on Bill and his work.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Donna Kreutz

Mural #34 depicts the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Pier that once extended from the foot of Monroe Street into the Caloosahatchee River. The mural was painted by local artist Donna M. Kreutz. Donna is a realist painter whose art is influenced by her work in advertising, telecommunications, business analysis, corporate training, healthcare, banking and the travel industry. She is currently employed as a villa agent for SunVillas, a company that represents more than 160 luxury villas in Jamaica. Go here to read more about Donna.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist LadyLight

The artist known as LadyLight has painted two of the River Basin murals: #16, which is an aerial view of Fort Myers’ piers in 1927 and #26, the Coca Cola Bottling Plant that briefly set up shop on the City Pier. LadyLight is an emerging artist with a passion for testing the limits of creativity. After discovering the joys of painting at a “girls’ night out” party in 2016, her ideas today are born of dreams and intuition, hence the name “TheiLuminArtist 1.” With a creative background in interior design and custom window treatments, her medium is acrylic on canvas and her genre surrealism, with a flair for color and fun, as evidenced by her familiar signature “LL in Script.” Go here for the rest of this post.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Deb Lawless

Mural #40 at the river basin next to Luminary was painted by artist Deb Lawless. When Deb painted this mural, which depicts an historic poster for a USO-sponsored dance at the Hall of 50 States, she used as her muses an old family photo of her grandmother, her grandmother’s twin sister and their brother, in uniform. You can listen to more about the mural and its use by the USO on Otocast.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Tim Lowry

Tim Lowry is one of 38 River Basin muralists. His mural depicts the Pleasure Pier that was built along the shore of the Caloosahatchee River in 1927. With a degree in graphic design and advertising, Lowry works in multiple media, including fine art, prints, digital artwork and photography. Tim has worked in advertising and marketing for more than three decades.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Michelle J. McDonald

Mural #42 at the river basin next to Luminary depicts the arrival of colorfully attired guests on the pier at Thomas Edison’s home downriver on McGregor Boulevard. It was rendered by Michelle J. McDonald, who currently works primarily in acrylics and pastels. She is also known for her “Beautiful Bookmarks,” which are comprised of scraps of paper that create a collage. Michelle’s story is like that of many other later-in-life Florida artists. As a small child, she enjoyed drawing and arts and crafts of all kinds.

For more on Michelle, go here.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Lesley Morrow

Mural #10 at the river basin next to Luminary Hotel Lesley is a portrait of John Alexander Weatherford, who was one of Fort Myers first four settlers, arriving on the shores of the Caloosahatchee River on February 21, 1966. Morrow is locally known for expressive oil, acrylic, airbrush and mixed media paintings that express the feminine experience and mystique. Featuring vibrant brushstrokes and a distinctive palette, Morrow’s paintings are bold, raw and eye-appealing. Go here for the skinny on Lesley.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Tarek Patton

Mural #9 is a portrait of Fort Myers’ early settler and first schoolteacher, Evalina Gonzalez. It was painted by Tarek Patton, a product of Cypress Lake High School, the Florida State University studio art program and member of the Fort Myers Mural Society. In addition to serving as a Printer Operator at Grand Illusions in the River District, Tarek owns and operates Soaking Wet Press in Fort Myers. For more information, please visit http://www.soakingwetpress.com/ or follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tarek.patton.5/.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Eric Riemenschneider

Mural #5 is a portrait of Miccosukee warrior Billy Fuel. It was rendered in the unmistakable style of art instructor and portrait artist Eric Riemenschneider. Eric graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design with a B.F.A. in Illustration. He is the recipient of several awards, including Southwest Florida’s Best Up-and-Coming Artist, Angels of the Arts Award, All Florida Best of Show, Lee County Golden Apple Teacher and Lee County Arts Teacher of the Year. He was also the recipient of the Robert Rauschenberg Scholarship. Go here for more on Eric and his body of work.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Ava Roeder

Mural #18 at the river basin next to Luminary Hotel depicts a mid-day soiree by guests on the pier at the Royal Palm Hotel. It was rendered by artist, art instructor and original Fort Myers Public Art Committee member Ava Roeder. Ava was a visual arts teacher for thirty-nine years and practiced everyday with her students.  The rest of Ava’s profile is here.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Davis Rost

Mural #38 depicts the entrance to Fort Myers’ fabled Pleasure Palace. It was painted by Riverdale High and Full Sail University grad Davis Rost. As an artist, Rost has concentrated on screen printing while seeking to establish a reputation and brand for his work on Instagram. His main passion, however, has been trailblazing his music career. In 2021, he and music collaborator, Nathan Lopez, formed the band Cosmic Caravan. Since then, they have played countless local venues and events, most notably at the Annual Edison Ford Garden Festival and the downtown Fort Myers Music Walk every third Friday of the month.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Tom Rost

Mural #46 at the river basin next to Luminary Hotel depicts the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. It was painted by Tom Rost, a local artist and sculptor under trademark of Tom Rost Custom Carving. A product of Riverdale High, Tom embarked upon his career in art following graduation from Ringling College of Art & Design in Sarasota, where he majored in graphic design. At present, his commissions include a number of corporate and private commissions. His varied past creative projects include painting billboards in Pennsylvania, designing apparel for Seadog Sportswear and designing community logos, creating community maps and executing architectural renderings for a firm specializing in new home construction and community development.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Danilo Rubias

Mural #36 depicts the first passenger train to pull into the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Station in 1904. It was painted by Danilo Rubias, who works as Creative Services Producer and Photographer/Editor at WINK TV, where he specializes in camera operation and editing. Rubias previously served as an art instructor for more than six years. Danilo has an Associate of Arts degree from Florida SouthWestern State College.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Roland Ruocco

Roland Ruocco rendered three murals for the river basin next to Luminary Hotel,  #13 of drovers unloading cattle from a barge upriver at Olga (which he painted with his wife, Wendy White), #33, the 1953 Memorial Day Packing House fire and #41, the shuffleboard courts next to the Hall of 50 States. Roland Ruocco is a realist painter whose work has been influenced by comic book illustration, graffiti and old masters from the Romantic period. Go here to read more about Roland, his work and his resume.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Shari Shifrin

Mural #48 at the river basin next to Luminary Hotel is a painting of a shrimp boat moored at the balustrade along the Caloosahatchee River circa 1949, which was a common sight prior to the discovery of “pink gold” in the waters off Fort Myers Beach around that time. It was painted by Shari Shifrin, who not only serves as the Executive Director of the Fort Myers Mural Society, but who played an instrumental role in orchestrating the River Basin Mural Project and overseeing the installation of the murals contained in the City’s walkable outdoor art and history museum. Go here for more on Shari and her art.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Samantha Taylor

Mural #12 at the river basin adjoining Luminary Hotel depicts the Father of Fort Myers, Captain Francis Asbury Hendry. Mural #47 is of Elvis Pressley, who performed at our City Auditorium not once, but twice. The artist who painted both of these portraits is Samantha Taylor. She is one of 39 artists who have painted murals for the River Basin Mural Project being conducted by the City’s Public Art Committee, Community Redevelopment Agency and Fort Myers Mural Society. A native Floridian, Samantha is known for her portrait paintings, local murals and tattoo artistry. As an avid painter specializing in oils and fluid mediums, Sam is inspired by the human form and surrealism. Read here for more on Samantha and her art.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Monika Urbanski

Mural #43 at the river basin next to Luminary Hotel depicts Thomas Edison and his son, Charles, posing with their catches on the Edison Pier. It was rendered by local artist Monika Urbanski. Urbanski is known for oil and acrylic paintings that capture the allure of the water. Monika often utilizes reclaimed live edge wood as a substrate to further connect to our local environment. Please read here for more on Monika.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Jacqueline Virtue

Mural #17 at the river basin adjoining Luminary Hotel depicts Fort Myers’ recreation pier, #20 is a rendition of the fabled Royal Palm Hotel and #28 depicts the business interests that once lined Ireland’s Dock. All three were painted by local artist Jacqueline Virtue, who has been creating works of art since she was 15 years old. With more than four decades of experience, Jacqueline Virtue is an expert painter in the acrylic medium. Entirely self-taught, her Interior Design prowess has led her to create landscape murals and canvases nationwide. Her realistic/impressionist style captures the brilliance of nature in all its complexity. An avid gardener, her work evokes a strong emotional connection to the natural beauty of the world around us.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Brian Weaver

The Florida alligator fascinates out-of-state visitors. This was true of the sportsmen who patronized the Tarpon House on Punta Rassa between 1885 and 1913 and of the tourists who stayed at Hugh O’Neill’s Royal Palm Hotel in downtown Fort Myers beginning in 1897. Back then, many steamship companies through the state touted the opportunity to shoot alligators from the upper decks of their boats. Still, it surprises many that Fort Myers advertised itself to northern and Midwestern visitors by means of postcards like the one that local artist Brian Weaver painted in this mural, titled Gator Hunt, which can be found near the entrance to the river basin at the intersection of Bay and Hendry Streets in downtown Fort Myers. Go here for more on Brian and his body of work.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Dawn Webb

Mural #11 is a portrait of Fort Myers first black settlor, Nelson Tillis, and his wife, Ellen, who were coincidentally Fort Myers’ first interracial couple. It was painted by muralist Dawn Webb. Dawn is a proud born-and-raised Southwest Florida native. Born in Fort Myers, she has watched the city develop and grow since the 1970s. On the fine arts side, Dawn works in the medium of acrylic painting. But she is also a gifted tattoo artist. In that regard, she is most passionate about consulting with clients, designing custom tattoos, and giving them a comfortable tattoo experience. Go here for more on Dawn.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Wendy White

Mural #53 at the river basin next to Luminary Hotel depicts a vintage 1930s-era postcard which depicts the many activities that visitors can enjoy during a fun-filled trip to Fort Myers.Titled Florida Fun, it was rendered Wendy White who is an accomplished artist, curator, director, playwright, screenwriter and teacher. Born in Rockaway Beach, New York, Wendy’s palette and writings are strongly influenced by her early environment of living by the sea. Her father was a painter and while she was growing up, she and her twin brother would frequently model for him as muses. Go here to view Wendy’s voluminous and impressive art, film and other credits.

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Spotlight on River Basin muralist Alex Wilkinson

One of the murals you’ll see when you walk around the river basin adjoining Luminary Hotel is a painting of a steamboat named the St. Lucie. It’s the steamship where Andrew and George Kinzie got their start as seafarers and that eventually inspired them to form a steamship line that served Fort Myers into the 1960s. The mural was painted by Alex Wilkinson. Alex is a self-educated mixed media artist who works in acrylics, traditional pen and ink, colored pencils, pastels, markers, paper and found objects. A former needle arts designer and instructor, Alex’s oeuvre influences her present-day mixed media “Zen tangle inspired art.” Her designs often include small, stitch-like, black-and-white line patterns in the ancient Zen Tangle-inspired art style. Go here for more on Alex and her art.

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3     ART SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS

Brian Weaver’s ‘A New Beginning’ in Davis Grand Atrium through August 24

On view in the Grand Atrium of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center through August 24 is A New Beginning by artist Brian Weaver. A local favorite, Weaver has traveled down many roads, collecting numerous stories and lifelong memories along the way. Incorporating a unique blend of vibrant colors, intricate designs and thought-provoking messages, A New Beginning invites viewers to experience Weaver’s unparalleled creativity and bold expressions.

Half of Artsemble Underground, Brian strives to bring art to everyone. In addition to “art for the people,” Artsemble was also created to help local businesses attract traffic through murals, sculpture and art events. Toward these ends, he and business partner Cesar Aguilera have forged an all-immersive multimedia experience of art and life, where concepts can be replicated anywhere – without the need of an art institution or gallery – and employed as an instrument of social change instead of serving as a commodity.

Weaver attended the School of Communication Arts in North Carolina, graduating with a degree in Graphic Design and Computer Animation.  He moved to Cape Coral in 2013, where he produced the monthly art festival All Walks of Art at Dolphin Key Resort.

The Fort Myers’ River District Alliance commissioned him to develop Mystery Walk, and Brian also spearheaded “The Epicenter,” an empty warehouse transformed into an artist hub, where artists get together to work and be inspired.

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First Street in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District.

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All the art in ‘World of Skateboarding’ show is on skateboard planks

On view in the Capital Gallery of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center through August 24 is a group exhibition that celebrates the part art plays in the world of skateboarding and the part skateboarding plays in the art world. From graffiti, board art and clothing to skate films, photography, games, and music, visual art isn’t just connected with skateboarding, it’s embedded into the fabric of the culture. Skateboarding has had a surprisingly profound influence on many other unrelated elements, creating a recognizable skateboard art subculture. In this exhibit, selected submissions pay tribute to what started it all- the skateboard – and all of the art on display is actually created on skateboard planks!

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Susan Martin ‘Botanical Insights’ on view at Alliance through August 26

On view now through August 26 in the main gallery at the Alliance for the Arts is Into the Green: Botanical Insights by Susan Martin.

Susan’s intense larger-than-life compositions are made with many layers of acrylic paint. While she creates them as abstracts, her subject matter is recognizable. Branches, vines, flowers and leaves become shapes, lines, and textures. From the mass of plant life, Martin carves out tightly cropped compositions, eliminating unessential elements and paring down the painting subject to what first attracted her.

Martin has been fascinated by the visual richness of the botanical world since childhood. Her Botanica Series reflects her consuming interest in the vast variety of colors, shapes and lines found in nature. Strong light reveals intriguing forms and textures. The pieces on display invite viewers to look closely and imagine being a part of the private place Susan Martin has created.

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Jade Griffin’s ‘First Theatre Production’ on view in Foulds Theatre lobby through Aug. 26

On view in the Theatre Lobby Gallery at the Alliance for the Arts is The First Theatre Production by Jade Griffin. This body of work crosses the boundaries of normalcy and what is acceptable. It pushes the boundaries of how we see ourselves and strangers in everyday life. Cartoonish facial features, exaggerated scenes, and extended limbs offer a new perspective on humanity through each piece. Jade’s artistic vision is influenced by George Condo’s Artificial Realism movement. This exhibition runs through August 26.

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More on Jade Griffin’s First Theatre Production exhibit

The First Theatre Production is on view now in the lobby of the Foulds Theatre at the Alliance for the Arts. A collection of narrative-driven oil paintings created over the course of this calendar year by Jade Griffin, this body of work crosses the boundaries of normalcy and the acceptable. It pushes the boundaries of how we see ourselves and strangers in everyday life. Cartoonish facial features, exaggerated scenes and extended limbs offer a new perspective on humanity through each piece. Jade’s artistic vision is influenced by George Condo’s Artificial Realism movement. Through fictional characters that are capable of being actual people with real emotions and tendencies, Jade strives to make art that defies norms. Throughout this exhibition, Jade asks, “Who are you behind closed doors when no one is looking?” or “Who are you on the stage of life presenting yourself to others?” and “Who do you wish to become on the inside?”

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Alliance state-of-the-arts digital arts lab opening August 23

The Bloom & Wallace Digital Arts Lab will provide the creative community the opportunity to learn and create on eleven computers equipped with state-of-the art hardware and a full suite of Adobe software, DaVinci Resolve and Computer-Aided Design (CAD). These programs will expand arts instruction in response to community needs and provide educational support for future careers and take the Alliance to new heights.

Additional programs and classes will be enacted for all students to explore and hone skills in writing, filmmaking, podcasting, digital design, computer generated paintings, photography, digitally created music, e-books, 3D design, editing and other creative applications.

An invitation-only opening ceremony is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23. The ceremony will include remarks by Bloom & Wallace Digital Arts Lab benefactor Naomi Bloom and AFTA Executive Director  Molly Rowan-Deckart, and the unveiling of the Digital Arts Lab’s mural and logo.

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Deadline for submissions for Alliance’s call for Art in Flight exhibit, ‘Growth’ is August 21

Alliance for the Arts (AFTA) and the Southwest International Airport (RSW) continue their longstanding partnership that brings art to RSW. The next chapter of Art in Flight will involve an exhibition of selected artworks from Florida based artists that will be on display in two of the airport’s concourses for the six-month period running from September 2023 through February 2024.

For this exhibition, artists are asked to meditate on themes of change through a hopeful lens. In a rapidly changing world, from technology to the physical environments, it can feel daunting to try to keep up. So this exhibition seeks work that explores ideas of growth, progress, and resilience. Artworks can represent the artist’s personal self-growth or images that relate to growth they see in the world around them. Artworks can be traditional media, such as painting and drawing, as well as alternative approaches such as mixed media or fiber arts.

The call is open to all artists currently residing in the state of Florida. There is a non-refundable entry fee of $25 plus $5 for any additional entries, up to 3. Members of AFTA are eligible to receive $10 off the entry fee with use of code Member10. Individual memberships are $55 and are good for one year. Sign up for membership here.

Interested artists can submit their artwork at https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=12193. Contact Gallery Manager Emily Radomski with any additional questions at exhibitions@artinlee.org.

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‘Wild Garden’ opens in the Wasmer Gallery at FGCU on August 28

Wild Garden opens August 28 in the Wasmer Gallery at FGCU. Employing different mediums and methods, the work of five Florida artists – Jen Clay, Cynthia Mason, Luca Molnar, Grace Ramsey and Anastasia Samoylova – drifts between the natural and the surreal to conjure distinctive environments, lifeforms, and habitats. The colors, textures, and narrative mysteries on display create an immersive space–wild and lush. If these works are alluring, even playful, they also hint at darker visions, grappling with questions of control, cultivation, and social responsibility.

The natural world has a history much longer than human culture. In Florida, we are bearing witness to the changes we have wrought. These artists do not shy from away from troubling questions about the future even as they revel in human possibility and natural (or supernatural) wonder.

Jen Clay (Miami, FL), Cynthia Mason (St. Petersburg, FL), Luca Molnar (Deland, FL), Grace Ramsey (Fort Myers, FL), and Anastasia Samoylova (Miami, FL) will be present at the opening for an artist talk event that takes place from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31.

This exhibition is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.-4:00
p.m.; 239-590-7199 or fgcu.edu/artgalleries.

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DAAS is ‘In My Head Again’ during the month of August

On display at DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts during the month of August is the artwork of visual artist Michael V. Santacroce.

Santacroce uses a stream of consciousness approach in which his line work becomes automatic and a reflection of his own subconscious thoughts. He finds the carving processes involved in relief printmaking therapeutic and focuses on the expressive qualities of his art to help work through complex emotions and ideas. His work draws inspiration from his own personal struggles with identity, sexuality, and mental health. Though he primarily works in ink, Michael has recently been applying his printmaking skills to ceramics and enjoying learning a new medium to create with.

Michael graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in the Spring of 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts focusing on printmaking. He currently works as the gallery coordinator at the Cape Coral Art Center. In 2022 he started a collaboration with the FGCU Wasmer Art Gallery to curate an annual alumni exhibition hosted at the Art Center. Additionally, Michael teaches courses on introductory and advanced relief printmaking at the Cape Coral Art Center.

He is currently working on a big project with FGCU that will be unveiled in October 2023.

I’m In My Head Again will be on display through August 27, 2023.

DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts is located at 1815 Fowler Street in the Butterfly Estates complex in Fort Myers, FL. The gallery’s business hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday More iformation about the venue and/or how to become a member can be found at daascoop.com or by calling 239-590-8645.

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Abstract expressionism of Karen Gozzo Nolan at DAAS in September

In September, DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts will exhibit the abstract art of Karen Gozzo Nolan.

Nolan is primarily a self-taught abstract expressionist. Her paintings are influenced by music, the emotion that comes from it, and her love for vibrant color. “The paint and brush become my instrument and my art is the song it plays,” says the artist.

In her artist statement, Nolan describes her painting as very private, exhilarating, yet exhausting in a good way.

“Disappearing into the art, my tools become the instruments, the paint becomes the music,” Nolan expounds. “Once a piece has begun, it moves forward with the same musical artist until complete. I have been labeled an abstract expressionist by my peers. My paintings are emotionally vibrant, painted brightly with the passion of the song. As far as my memory goes, connecting music with color was something I thought everyone did.”

Nolan was born in Connecticut, where she lived until she was 28 years, when she relocated to Vermont. While she has been creative and an art lover since childhood, life as a single mother didn’t allow her to follow her dreams of being a professional artist. While living in Vermont, she was the manager of a home decorating center for over 13 years. This afforded her the opportunity to work closely with contractors, selecting interior and exterior products and color pallets for new homes and condominium construction projects.

After battling a rare disease, Karen vowed to follow her lifelong passion. But it wasn’t until relocating to Rotonda West in 2013 that she was well enough to pursue her dream. Today, painting is an outlet of escape or, as she puts it, “her distraction from life, and a place of total meditation and peace.”

The opening reception for this exhibition is scheduled from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, September 1st, in conjunction with Fort Myers Art Walk.

The exhibition will be on display through October 1st, 2023.

DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts is located at 1815 Fowler Street, in the Butterfly Estates complex in Fort Myers, FL. The gallery’s business hours are Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

More information about the venue and/or how to become a member can be found at daascoop.com or by calling 239-590-8645.

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