Spotlight on ‘Tropical Reunion’ artist and FGCU alum Megan Kissinger
Opening in the ArtLab Gallery in Library West at Florida Gulf Coast University on October 4 is Tropical Reunion: Megan Kissinger and David Shepard. Kissinger and Shepard are two FGCU alumni. Both conservationists, they are bringing together in this exhibit art aimed at inspiring and motivating viewers 
to appreciate and protect the natural world.
Megan Kissinger is an FGCU class of 2004 alumnus. She resides in Fort Myers, FL and works as a Museum Conservator and Exhibit Designer for Edison and Ford Winter Estates. In her work as a museum conservator, Kissinger is well aware of the damage wrought both manufactured and the natural world over time. As she goes about her duties, her work has her examining everything – how objects work, what condition is it in, what factors affect an object’s stability, and what repairs can be made that won’t eventually do more damage than just leaving it alone? This is how Kissinger has begun to think about our natural world. While a museum conservator preserves cultural heritage for future generations, she often wonders who will 
preserve our natural heritage.
In her paintings, Kissinger depicts the art of southern North America in all its wild glory in order to show viewers the beautiful natural world that is disappearing before their very eyes. In this way, she is pondering nature as a relic. “When it is all over, this grand party we are enjoying called modern life, who will pick up the pieces?” Kissinger muses. “Who will make right what has been overturned? Who will be the responsible one and mop up the spills?”
Megan Kissinger is profiled on Art Southwest Florida. If you’d like to know more about Megan and her art, please read here.
The opening 
reception for Tropical Reunion takes place from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on October 4 in the ArtLab. The exhibition will remain on view through November 8.
Tropical Reunion is curated by Anica Sturdivant and sponsored by The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel.
Gallery hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.
For more information, please visit http://www.fgcu.edu/artgalleries.
September 10, 2018.
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About the Author
Tom Hall is both an amateur artist and aspiring novelist who writes art quest thrillers. He is in the final stages of completing his debut novel titled "Art Detective," a story that fictionalizes the discovery of the fabled billion-dollar Impressionist collection of Parisian art dealer Josse Bernheim-Jeune, thought by many to have perished during World War II when the collection's hiding place, Castle de Rastignac in southern France, was destroyed by the Wehrmacht in reprisal for attacks made by members of the Resistance operating in the area. A former tax attorney, Tom holds a bachelor's degree as well as both a juris doctorate and masters of laws in taxation from the University of Florida. Tom lives in Estero, Florida with his fiancee, Connie, and their four cats.