Actors, artists, directors, filmmakers and events in the news January 22-31, 2021

Grouped under headings that include art openings, film, outdoor art fairs and festivals and theater are advances, announcements and articles about the actors, artists, filmmakers and events making news in Southwest Florida this week:

1      ACTORS

Eschewing sexiness for shame in bringing Vixen to the screen

Jessica Walck’s love affair with theater began in The Dining Room in 2003. Since then, she’s not only developed into one of Southwest Florida’s most accomplished actors, but a highly analytical instructor and director with an uncanny ability for getting the most out of her students and cast members.

Walck’s success inheres in her penchant for dissecting scripts with the enthusiasm displayed long ago by English teachers while diagramming sentences –  and then utilizing what she’s discovered to deconstruct and then reconstruct the playwright’s characters. Her portrayal of Vixen in Lab Theater’s filmed theatrical production of Jeff Goode’s The Eight: Reindeer Monologues this past December is a case in point.

Go here for the rest of this interview.

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Matt Flynn appears in Studio Players’ ‘The Waverly Gallery’

Fresh from back to back performances for The Marco Players in Born Yesterday and The Farce Before Christmas, Naples actor Matt Flynn is now appearing in The Studio Players’ production of The Waverly Gallery. Powerful, poignant and often hilarious, The Waverly Gallery follows the final years of a grandmother’s battle against Alzheimer’s disease and explores her fight to retain her independence and the effect her decline has on her family (which, ironically, includes two psychiatrists).  Go here for all of Matt’s stage credits.

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Marilyn Hilbert appears in the role of Gladys Green in ‘The Waverly Gallery’

Marilyn Hilbert is appearing in the role of retired lawyer, Greenwich Village activist and art gallery proprietor Gladys Green in The Studio Players’ production of The Waverly Gallery. She last appeared for The Studio Players in the Joan Jenks Auditorium in Over the River. Her other stage credits include 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. She also performs her one woman show, Her Last Starring Role, at various venues throughout Naples.

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Jay Terzis is Howard Fine in ‘The Waverly Gallery’

Nominated by Broadway World as Southwest Florida Performer of the Decade, Jay has performed with The Naples Players, The Studio Players, The Marco Players the Island Theater Group and the CFABS Community Players. He appeared in the role of Vanya in Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike for The Studio Players and a milquetoast husband in Flamingo Court for The Marco Players, and is now playing the role of Howard Fine in The Studio Players’ production of The Waverly Gallery. Go here for all of Jay’s stage credits.

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Samuel Pucin is The Cat in the Hat in CTW’s ‘Seussical the Musical’

Samuel Pucin exercises an imposing presence in every role in which he’s cast. So it’s no surprise that his stage credits include The Cat in the Hat in Seussical the Musical and The Man in the Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone for Creative Theater Workshop, and he will lay the Baker in Into the Woods for Florida Repertory Theatre. Sam is a graduate of North Fort Myers High School, where he was not only part of the theater program but Thespian President, a costumer and performer.

For the rest of Sam’s stage and theatrical credits, go here.

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Kristen Noble is lazy Mayzie la Bird in CTW’s ‘Seussical the Musical’

Kristen Noble is a rising star in community theater. Her stage credits include the colorful lazy Mayzie la Bird in Seussical the Musical, Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone, Taylor/Ensemble/Sharpay in High School Musical 2!, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde Jr., Amber VonTussle in Hairspray Jr. and Taylor McKessie in High School Musical for Creative Theater Workshop; and Miss Bingley in Pride and Prejudice Teen for The Naples Players Teen and Kim MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie and the Ensemble in Mamma Mia Teen for The Naples Players. Go here for Kristen’s full profile.

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Kayci Suskind is The Sour Kangaroo in CTW’s ‘Seussical the Musical’

Rising star Kayci Suskind plays the Sour Kangaroo in Creative Theater Workshop’s production of Seussical the Musical, but there’s nothing sour in her suh…weet portrayal of the character. Bound for Florida Atlantic University’s BFA Musical Theatre Program in the Fall, Kayci has progressed by leaps and bounds as an actor, singer and dancer since she appeared as the little girl in Lab Theater’s Body and Sold. Go here to access Kayci’s profile.

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Spencer Barney is Horton the Elephant in CTW’s ‘Seussical the Musical’

Spencer Reese Barney is building an imposing resume in Southwest Florida theater circles. His credits include Horton (the Elephant) in Creative Theater Workshop’s production of Seussical the Musical, the hot Latin lover Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone for Creative Theater Workshop, Aaron Schultz (and the ensemble) in Legally Blonde for Jacksonville University, Tiny Tom (and the ensemble) for Urinetown, the Musical for Jacksonville University, Dean Hyde in All Shook Up for Cultural Park Theater, Mal Beineke in The Addams Family for Cypress Lake High School, part of the ensemble in Catch Me If You Can for The Naples Players and Max in Lend Me a Tenor for Cypress Lake High School.

Go here for the rest of Spencer’s theatrical credits.

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Lemec Bernard to appear in Alliance’s production of ‘Confusions’

Lemec Bernard appears for the Alliance for the Arts in Confusions, which consists of three one-act plays, The Still Alarm by George S. Kauffman and Alan Ayckbourn’s Between Mouthfuls and A Talk in the Park. Lemec is relatively new to acting. He got his start after responding to an ad for a free class being offered by Marcus Colon. He’s been productive since then. Go here to view all of his acting credits.

And go here to read how Lemec approaches acting as a “blood sport.”

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Rob Green to appear in Alliance’s production of ‘Confusions’

Rob Green appears for the Alliance for the Arts in Confusions, which consists of three one-act plays, The Still Alarm by George S. Kauffman and Alan Ayckbourn’s Between Mouthfuls and A Talk in the Park that is being performed on the GreenMarket stage. Rob last appeared on the Foulds Theatre stage as Sherlock Holmes in Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. Go here to see Rob’s other stage credits.

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Thomas Marsh to appear in Alliance’s production of ‘Confusions’

Thomas Marsh appears for the Alliance for the Arts in Confusions, which consists of three one-act plays, The Still Alarm by George S. Kauffman and Alan Ayckbourn’s Between Mouthfuls and A Talk in the Park that is being performed on the GreenMarket stage. Marsh is building an impressive resume of work as a character actor. Go here to view his stage and other credits.

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Sonya McCarter to appear in Alliance’s production of ‘Confusions’

Sonya McCarter appears for the Alliance for the Arts in Confusions, which consists of three one-act plays, The Still Alarm by George S. Kauffman and Alan Ayckbourn’s Between Mouthfuls and A Talk in the Park that is being performed on the GreenMarket stage. Sonya has impressive acting and directing credentials, and is also an instructor in the Alliance for the Arts’ CHANGE (Communities Harnessing the Arts to Nurture and Grow Equity) program and the Alliance’s Community Engagement Coordinator. Go here to access her complete profile.

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Lucy Sundby to appear in Alliance’s production of ‘Confusions’

Lucy Sundby appears for the Alliance for the Arts in Confusions, which consists of three one-act plays, The Still Alarm by George S. Kauffman and Alan Ayckbourn’s Between Mouthfuls and A Talk in the Park that is being performed on the GreenMarket stage. Lucy has extensive theatrical credits, including Claudia Louise (CL) in LabTV’s production of The Realish Housewives of Fort Myers. 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts, “The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy” in The Vagina Monologues, Lenny in Crimes of the Heart, Nicky in Michele Lowe’s murderously funny tragi-comedy, The Smell of the Kill and Cabaret. Go here to access Lucy’s full profile.

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Tamicka Armstrong to co-star in SWFL premiere of ‘Five Times in One Night’

Tamicka Armstrong will co-star with Chris Heartwell in Lab Theater’s production of the Southwest Florida premiere of Chiara Atik’s Five Times in One Night. She’s enjoyed the great fortune of sharing the stage with some special actors since her theatrical debut in 2018 in Greg Lam’s Repossessed at Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts. The the cast for that production included Rachel Burttram, Brendan Powers, Lauren Drexler, Joann Haley, Lisa Kuchinski and Patrick Day. Since then Tamicka has shared the boards with Kuchinski twice more (in Chicago and Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood), Haley in Marian and such talents as Paul Graffy (How to Transcend a Happy Marriage and The Crucible), Annette Trossbach (How to Transcend a Happy Marriage), Steven Coe and Imani Williams (The Crucible),  and Shelley Sanders and Karen Goldberg in Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood. But go here for all of Tamicka’s stage and other credits.

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Chris Heartwell to co-star in SWFL premiere of ‘Five Times in One Night’

Chris Heartwell will co-star with Tamicka Armstrong in Lab Theater’s production of the Southwest Florida premiere of Chiara Atik’s Five Times in One Night. Heartwell’s other stage credits include various roles in the Alliance for the Arts’ fringe fundraiser Vampire Lesbians of Sodom and the creation, Rocky Horror, in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show for New Phoenix Theatre.

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Steven Coe to play the title role in regional premiere of ‘Botticelli in the Fire’

Steven Coe will play Sandro Botticelli in the regional premiere of Jordan Tannahill’s groundbreaking play Botticelli in the Fire, which opens February 26 at Lab Theater. Coe is one of Southwest Florida’s most intelligent and engaging actors. His evolving body of work includes starring roles as John Proctor in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Thomas Novachek in David Ives’ Venus in Fur for The Studio Players, Andri in Andorra, The Boy in Veronica’s Room and Doug in Neil LaBute’s The Way We Get By, as well as memorable supporting and ensemble appearances. Go here for Steven’s full profile.

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Lindsey Walsh to play Ariel in TNP’s outdoor production of ‘Footloose the Musical’

Lindsey Walsh is playing the part of Ariel Moore in The Naples Players’ outdoor production of Footloose the Musical. Her previous TNP stage credits include Ali in Mamma Mia! and Hot Box Girl in Guys and Dolls. Prior to moving to Naples, Lindsey performed in community theater as well as at Walt Disney World for four years.

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Adam Fasano to play Ren McCormack in TNP’s ‘Footloose the Musical’

Adam Fasano is a Naples Players’ audience favorite. His stage credits include Sky in Mamma Mia! and Tommy Djilas in The Music Man. He was also a member of the ensemble in Guys & Dolls. He will appear next in the lead as Ren McCormack in Footloose the Musical. A native New Yorker, Fasano is looking forward to “cutting loose” in yet another TNP production.

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2    THEATER

The 3 one-act plays in ‘Confusions’ provide masterclass in comedic acting

Live theatre returns – outdoors and with social distancing – at the Alliance for the Arts, which has been working hard to create an intimate, open-air venue where folks can safely enjoy live entertainment. Opening January 21 is Confusions by Alan Ayckbourn and George S. Kauffman, which consists of three unrelated one-act plays.

In the aggregate, the plays deal with the theme of loneliness and relationships. But make no mistake. Individually and in combination, they provide masterclass in disparate comedic acting ranging from dry British wit in the tradition of Monty Python to the hilarious. But thanks to masking and social distancing, the only thing that will be infectious during Confusions is the laughter.

Go here for the balance of this advance.

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‘The Still Alarm’ parodies Brits’ stereotypical ‘stiff upper lip’

Confusions opened tonight on the Alliance for the Arts’ GreenMarket stage. It’s a medley of three one-act plays. The first is droll farce titled The Still Alarm.  A period piece that playwright George S. Kauffman first copyrighted in 1925 in the aftermath of World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic, it parodies the Brits’ global reputation as unflappable blokes who remain cool and nonplussed in the face of even the most dire of adversities.

Put simply enough, The Still Alarm depicts two businessmen, played by Rob Green and Thomas Marsh, who maintain their nonchalance and humor in spite of the fact that the hotel in which they are staying is on fire and in danger of burning to the ground. Even the firefighters who arrive in their 11th-floor room seem unfazed by their mounting peril, as signaled by the heat radiating from the floor beneath their feet as the trusses inch inexorably toward their flash point.

You can find the rest of this review here.

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‘Between Mouthfuls’ traps put-upon waiter between two pathetic married couples

The second short one-act play that’s being performed during the Alliance for the Arts’ production of Confusions is Alan Ayckbourn’s Between Mouthfuls. It features two couples at adjoining tables in a restaurant who are waited upon by Thomas Marsh.

At the table on the audience’s right are Mr. and Mrs. Pearce, played by Rob Green and Sonya McCarter. At the table on the audience’s left are Martin and Polly, played by Lemec Bernard and Lucy Sundby. Mrs. Pearce suspects her husband, recently returned from a 3-week-long business trip in Italy, is having an affair. For her part, Polly is starving for her husband’s attention, but he hungers for recognition from his dismissive boss for the yeoman’s job he’s been doing in his boss’ absence. As the evening wears on, the angst between these parallel couples amps up until it reaches the boiling point. All the while, the poor waiter can’t help but overhear their increasingly confrontational conversations while he attempts to take their orders and serve their drinks and meals.

Go here for the rest of this review.

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‘Happy Days’ on Broadway Palm main stage through February 14

Happy Days, A New Musical is on the Broadway Palm main stage through February 14, 2021. Based on the hit Paramount Pictures television series, Happy Days, this all-new musical will bring you back to 1959 complete with varsity sweaters, hula hoops and jukebox fun. This family friendly musical will have you rockin’ and rollin’ all night long!

Happy days are here again with Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph and the unforgettable “king of cool” Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli. The famed drive-in malt shop and number one hangout, Arnold’s, is in danger of demolition. The gang comes up with a plan to save it with a dance contest and a TV-worthy wrestling match. Even Pinky Tuscadero, Fonzie’s childhood sweetheart, returns to help and, what do you know, they rekindle their old flame. With delightful music from Oscar-winner Paul Williams and a book by the TV series original creator Garry Marshall, this is one trip down memory lane you will not want to miss!

Broadway Palm is continuing to follow CDC guidelines while providing a delicious meal and exceptional entertainment in a safe and socially distanced environment. For a list of the extensive health and safety measures they have taken, please visit BroadwayPalm.com. It is important to note that guests are required to wear masks while not eating or drinking. In addition, a temperature check will be performed on everyone that enters the building and admittance will not be allowed to anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher.

Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Tickets are $48 to $73, with the exception of New Year’s Eve which is $125 per person. Children and group prices are available.

Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, visiting BroadwayPalm.com or in person at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

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‘Till Theft Do Us Part’ on stage in Off Broadway Palm through March 6

The world premiere of Til Theft Do Us Part plays in the Off Broadway Palm Theatre through March 6. Three years in the writing, this laugh-out-loud British farce was written by Broadway Palm fav and Southwest Florida resident Victor J. Legarreta.

The comedy is centered around Winston Johnson, an investment banker who was sacked. He didn’t have the heart to tell his wife, so he resorted to theft. But then his conscience gets the best of him and he goes back to the homes he robbed to return what he stole. These “outings” provoke suspicion on the part of his wife, so she sets about to “catch him in the act,” turning his life upside down in the process.

The Off Broadway Palm has adjusted its seating arrangement and is operating at a 50% capacity. For a list of the extensive health and safety measures the theatre has taken, visit www.BroadwayPalm.com. It is important to note that guests are required to wear masks while not eating or drinking including during the performance. In addition, a temperature check will be performed on everyone that enters the building and admittance will not be allowed to anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher.

The Off Broadway Palm is an intimate theatre, located in the main lobby of Broadway Palm. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with select matinees. Ticket prices range from $42 to $62. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling 239-278-4422, visiting www.BroadwayPalm.com or in person at 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.

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Seussical the Musical weaves a story of friendship, loyalty and love

Seussical the Musical winds up its run at Creative Theater Workshop with performances on January 22 & 23 at 7:00 p.m. and at 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 24. Through beloved characters that include the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and JoJo, the musical weaves a story of friendship, loyalty, and love, teaches us the power of being unique, and stresses the importance of fighting for your beliefs. No wonder Seussical has become one of the most widely produced musicals in the country.

Go here for the rest of this advance.

And go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

Cultural Park cleared to perform final three shows of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Cultural Park Theatre, of course, has suffered its share of theater-interruptus as well. CPT lost the final weekend of The Importance of Being Earnest and had to postpone the final weekend of Little Shop of Horrors too. Well, sometimes you get a second chance, and so it is with Little Shop. CPT has received the go-ahead to perform the musical’s final three shows, which will take place this Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., with a closing matinee on Sunday.

And that’s terrific news not just for the cast and crew. It’s an outstanding development for all those who had tickets … and those of you yet to purchase yours. The show contains all of the delectable elements audiences relish in a musical – delicious song and dance numbers, great actors and marvelous costumes and sets.

Go here for the rest of this advance.

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Suggestive title aside, ‘Five Times in One Night’ more about emotion, vulnerability

The Laboratory Theater of Florida will bring live theater back to its stage with Five Times in One Night by Chiara Atik. Due to COVID protocols, seating is extremely limited. In addition, only patrons 16 and over may attend this production due to partial nudity and mature themes.

The suggestive title actually refers to the play’s structure. Atik provides five self-contained shorts that explore the thrills and disappointments of sex through the ages, from the first (yes, Adam and Eve) to the very last couple on Earth (Mel and Djuna in 2119). But prurient appeal aside, Five Times in One Night affords is a surprising, heartfelt, and delightfully playful look at personal connection, relationships, and the different meanings and uncomfortable truths associated with sex (and, er, the occasional lack thereof).

Go here for the rest of this advance.

Go here for play dates, times and ticketing.

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Lab presenting regional premiere of ‘Botticelli in the Fire’

The Laboratory Theater of Florida will present the regional premiere of Jordan Tannahill’s extravaganza, Botticelli in the Fire, on February 26.

Sandro Botticelli is the promiscuous life of the party. While painting his masterpiece, The Birth of Venus, the plague rages outside and a conservative preacher is blaming the sodomites. Set in a 15th century that has skinny jeans and cell phones, will the famous artist sacrifice his painting or his young apprentice, Leonardo da Vinci?

Go here for the balance of this advance.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

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The Naples Players hosting Drive-In Movie Nights off 5th Avenue

The Naples Players (TNP) is hosting bi-monthly TNP Drive-In Movie Nights. Sponsored by The Inn on 5th, these events are held in the newly refinished 50-car lot located at 300 8th Street South, just one block north of the iconic 5th Avenue South home of The Naples Players Community Theatre.

Drive-In Movie Nights are part of Discover Culture in Collier, an alternative season of outdoor arts and culture events recently announced by The Naples Players. Each month, two different films will featured.  The scheduled films  will be projected onto a 33-foot screen using a state-of-the-art projection system.  The movie soundtracks will be broadcast over short-range FM radio to the cars in attendance.

The series continues with Ghostbusters on January 26 & 27. The rest of the schedule through April 2021 is as follows:

• February 2-3: Twister
• February 16-17: Hairspray
• March 9-10: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
• March 23-24: Beauty & The Beast
• April 6-7 :Dirty Dancing

The lot opens for parking at 7:00 p.m. and movies begin promptly at 8:00 p.m. Concessions and non-alcoholic refreshments are available for purchase.

Due to space, ticketing is required in advance. General admission is $45 per vehicle, but current TNP Season Ticket Subscribers receive free admission on select “Season Ticket Holder Nights.”

Tickets are available for purchase now at NaplesPlayers.org or by calling the TNP Box Office at (239) 263-7990.

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TNP closing outdoor season with ‘Footloose the Musical’

The Naples Players’ alternative, outdoor season of events comes to a close with the production of Footloose: The Musical. The show will be performed live and outdoors in Naples’ Baker Park from February 25 through March 7, 2021. With direction and choreography by the well-known husband and wife duo, Dawn Lebrecht Fornara and Charles Fornara, Footloose the Musical features dynamic new songs that augment the powerhouse hits from its bestselling Oscar-nominated score.

Footloose celebrates the exhilaration of youth, the wisdom of listening to one another, and the power of forgiveness. The high-energy cast is led by local artists Adam Fasano and Lindsey Walsh, both of whom were cast in 2019’s summer musical Mamma Mia! at The Naples Players.  The supporting cast includes other local favorites and TNP veteran performers, Bret Poulter and Tina Moroni.

Go here for the rest of this advance.

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TNP optimistic that ‘Calendar Girls’ a go for live performance this Spring 

Leadership at The Naples Players has expressed optimism that with the vaccine rollout, the implementation of additional safety precautions in the theater and the recent installation of state-of-the-art sanitation equipment they will be able to move forward with the Spring 2021 production of the rousing comedy Calendar Girls, as planned. Calendar Girls will also re-open the theatre – with shows beginning on April 28, 2021 and running through May 23rd. Tickets for Calendar Girls are available at www.naplesplayers.org/calendargirls – running April 28 to May 23, 2021 – $35 for subscribers, veterans, and first responders; $42 for the General Public.

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More than a memory play, Waverly Gallery focuses on family in crisis

The Studio Players’ production of award-winning playwright Kenneth Lonergan’s Waverly Gallery opens January 15, 2021 in the Joan Jenks Auditorium at Golden Gate Cultural Center.

Powerful, poignant and often hilarious, The Waverly Gallery follows the final years of a grandmother’s battle against Alzheimer’s disease and explores her fight to retain her independence and the effect her decline has on her family (which, ironically, includes two psychiatrists). Inspired by Lonergan’s own grandmother, it’s an ode to an extraordinary woman and to the humor and strength of a family in crisis. More than a memory play, The Waverly Gallery captures the humor and strength of a family in the face of crisis.

The rest of this advance is here.

Go here for play dates and ticket information.

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Focus on ‘Waverly Gallery’ playwright Kenneth Lonergan

The Studio Players’ production of The Waverly Gallery opens January 15 in the Joan Jenks Auditorium at Golden Gate Cultural Center. It comes from the desk of playwright Kenneth Lonergan.

Lonergan playwriting credits include The Starry Messenger (New Group), Lobby Hero (Playwrights Horizons, John Houseman Theatre, Drama Desk Best Play Nominee, Outer Critics Circle Best Play and John Gassner Playwriting Nominee, included in the 2000-2001 Best Plays Annual), The Waverly Gallery (Williamstown Theatre Festival, Promenade; 2001 Pulitzer Prize finalist), and This Is Our Youth (Drama Desk Best Play Nominee). Lobby Hero (Olivier Award Nominee for Best Play) and This Is Our Youth have also received productions on London’s West End.

The rest of Kenneth Lonergan’s profile is here.

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3      ARTISTS

Surrealist Danielle Branchaud exhibits retrospective, new work at Davis Art Center 

On view through Wednesday, January 27, in the grand atrium of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is Visions of the Underworld, a collection of work by Danielle Branchaud, one of Southwest Florida’s most cognizable surrealists.

Canadian-born but locally grown, Branchaud grew up surrounded by art. But where her mother was inspired by the Southwest Florida landscape, Branchaud’s introspective work brings personal and universal dreamscapes to life. And through these inner-world explorations, Danielle resolutely demonstrates that our emotions – from pain and sorrow to happiness and joy – are universal.

“The things that drive the human experience are based on instinct and emotion,” the artist amplifies. “Since the beginning of mankind the ways in which we relate to one another, connect, and evolve have consistently been revolving around those basic drives. And these instincts lurk still, within the depths of the human subconscious.”

Branchaud has pursued her forays into the subconscious through a number of disparate yet integrated series – Emotive (2006-2012) her earliest explorations of surrealism; Visceral (2012-2015), a series illustrating pure and personal dreamscapes; and Psychopomp (2015-2017), an innovative series of work that explores Jungian archetypes. Visions of the Underworld includes representative works from each. The aggregation of these works not only provides a haunting experience, but facilitates a fascinating journey into the depths of the human experience. Viewers aren’t just exposed to Branchaud’s visions of an alternate reality; they are enchanted and beguiled by her uncanny ability to manipulate acrylics into realistic figurative paintings that belie intense introspection and imagination.

Visions of the Underworld is not only a retrospective of past works, but the debut of a new series of paintings titled Anima Vetus, which expresses the theme of following the journey of the soul as it moves from one life to the next (which Branchaud and Capital Gallery exhibitor Ndola Pensy underscored on opening night through a unique performance called “Revival” that featured the artists in full costume, along with a tribe of local artists and performers that spilled out onto the Davis Art Center steps with a special display by the We Bleed Fire entertainment team).

“By reaching into her subconscious, her body of work exemplifies what she describes as ‘the things that we feel on the deepest level, and often fail to acknowledge,’” Rene Miville noted in 2014. “When you see one of her paintings on a gallery wall, it’s almost certain that this work was ‘birthed from a dream.’”

Branchaud’s new work is intended to reach new depths, delving into her personal world of dreamscapes. The nightmarish imagery used to illuminate those unconscious thoughts serve as further exploration into the things that make us human.

The Davis Center is located at 2301 First Street in the heart of Fort Myers’ downtown River District.

For more information, please call 239-333-1933 or visit www.sbdac.com.

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Ndola Pensy’s ‘Sanctus Carnem’ reflects unmistakable influence of Byzantine icon art

On view through Wednesday, January 27, in the Capital Gallery of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is Ndola Pensy’s solo show, Sanctus Carnem. The work in this exhibition explores the relationship between light and meaningful introspection. It evinces the power that light wields to transform a moment from ordinary to fearsome awe.

Pensy’s work reflects the unmistakable influence of Russian icon painting, a carryover from the time Pensy spent in Russia during her early, formative years. Byzantine icon painters were governed by strict rules. Not only did strict rules regulate their palettes. In early icons, the background was gold or silver – although later, white, green and blues were added. So not surprisingly, Pensy employs watercolor, ink, gold and silver leaf in aid of her studies of the interplay between light and introspection.

A reliance on gold and silver leaf and a limited palette of muted pastels, however, is not the only indicia of Russian icon painting. The genre also derived its unique attributes from Byzantine mosaics, frescoes, miniatures and church ornamentation.

“Exterior facades, rizas, or oklads are usually highly embellished and often multi-dimensional,” Pensy notes in her Artist Statement that accompanies the show. “[M]y narrative, however, is not limited to the monumental decoration of church interiors. Instead, it dances on the edge of the profane. With influences from the Macedonian and Palaeologan age, new stories are crafted from both constructed and discovered references.”

While Byzantine icons must follow traditional standards, Pensy’s studies fly in the face of ritual, tweaking and weaving a new narrative while maintaining core characteristics. Within this work, what starts out as triumph soon becomes corrupted into a manifesto of grief, desperation, and heartache, leaving only a sense of nihilism and the possibility of a new beginning.

It is this beginning that demands viewers’ attention.

The Davis Center is located at 2301 First Street in the heart of the downtown Fort Myers River District. For more information, please call 239-333-1933 or visit www.sbdac.com.

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4     ART SHOWS, EXHIBITIONS & ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

Christo and Jeanne-Claude retrospective sheds light on artists’ storied careers

CHRISTO & JEANNE-CLAUDE: The Tom Golden Collection opened in the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida SouthWestern State College on January 11. This traveling retrospective surveys the extraordinary career of artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude through collages, prints, photographs, drawings and objects. Drawn from the permanent collection of the Sonoma County Museum—the most extensive private collection in the United States—the exhibition spans 37 years of the Christo’s career.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude were famous for large-scale environmental projects that temporarily altered urban and rural landscapes in Europe, the United States, Australia and Japan. Together, they changed the landscape of installation art, covering large areas of space by draping thousands of square yards of various types of fabric over buildings, bridges and both land and sea masses.

While each of the artists’ projects existed only briefly, they were anticipated with suspense for months, even years, while being planned ….

You can find more on the exhibition here.

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Art Council’s ‘Winner Circle’ Biennial Exhibition on view at Alliance through January 30

Winner Circle – Art Council of Southwest Florida is the Alliance for the Arts’ January exhibition. It features over 50 award-winning artists from the Alliance for the Arts, Cape Coral Art Center, Cape Coral Art League, Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs, Fort Myers Beach Association, Pine Island Art Association, Sanibel Captiva Art League, Southwest Florida Pastel Society, SW Florida Fine Craft Guild and the Weavers of Char-Lee and remains on display through January 30.

The Art Council of Southwest Florida was formed in 1963 and today consists of nineteen affiliated organizations consisting of members from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties with a combined membership of over 6,800 artists. Its Winner Circle Biennial Exhibition honors artists who have received top awards from 2018 through 2020.

Carol Broman and Leila Mesdaghi judged the show. Broman, a graduate of the Water Street Atelier and Grand Central Academy in New York, has exhibited nationally and taught classes for private ateliers in New York and Florida. Mesdaghi, an Iranian-Colombian artist who holds a BA in Law from Islamic Azad University of Tehran, Iran and a BA in Arts from Florida Gulf Coast University, is known locally for a wide range of visceral, evocative, and emotional artworks, installations and performance art events. Both jurors live and work in Fort Myers.

After consideration, Broman and Mesdaghi unveiled the following awards to the public during a virtual opening reception on January 8:

• Best in Show – Geoffrey Hamel, You Have to Do Your Part, Mixed Media, Alliance for the Arts
• 1st Place – 2D – Christine Wyatt, Two Young Girls, Acrylic and Charcoal, Alliance for the Arts
• 1st Place 3D – Shannon Vickers, Wishes or Weeds, Glass and Concrete, Cape Coral Art Center
• 2nd Place – 2D – Nuch Owen, The Bluebirds of Happiness, Silk Painting, Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs
• 2nd Place – 3D – Karen E. Harris, Let’s Dance, Stone and Paper Clay, Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs
• 3rd Place – 2D – Tom Werdin, Lake Michigan Shore, Pastel, Pine Island Art Association
• 3rd Place – 3D – Carol Murphy, Earth’s Baptism, Fiber, Weavers of Char-Lee

The other artists exhibiting in the show include Marnie Becker, Beth Blewett, Katherine Boren, Brian B. Christensen, Dee Cooper, Ginger Craven, Tracy Cullimore, Michael Danley, Stan Dzedzy, Ruth Epstein, Kathy Erickson, Renee Farr, Cheryl A. Fausel, Donna Filomio, Robert A. Ford, Kathy Gibbs, Tanya Trinkaus Glass, Brad Goldman, Carol Gray, Barbara Hewitt, Keith Johnson, David King, Diane Kuntz, Mary Liseio, Mimi Little, Zan Lombardo, Judy Majerus, Nance Marsden, Leslie McNeil, Elaine Myers, Julie Nusbaum, Lynn Ondercin, Jan Oosterwaal, Katrina Parker, Joan Tangren Reynolds, Thomas Roth, Trudy Sampson, Rosemary Sexton, Mary Lewis Sheehan, Ruthe Sholler, Joan Brechin Sonnenberg, Kathy Summer, Africa Valdez, Dannica Walker, Jan Werdin, Roseline M. Young, and Peter Zell.

The Alliance gallery and gift shop hours are 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., or by appointment by contacting Gallery Director Ehren Gerhard at exhibitions@artinlee.org.

While gallery admission and scheduled artists’ talks are free, a $5 suggested donation sustains the future of arts in southwest Florida. Masks and social distancing are required inside the Alliance for the Arts building.

For more information about the exhibit, visit ArtInLee.org/WinnerCircle or call 239-939-2787.

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CFABS’ ‘Off the Walls 2021’ rescheduled to Friday, April 9

The Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs’ Off the Walls 2021 has been rescheduled to Friday, April 9.

Here’s how it works. Three hundred items ranging from trips to artworks have been donated to CFABS, which will sell just 200 tickets to the virtual event. On the night of the event, tickets are drawn at random. Since all of the tickets will be drawn, every ticket is a winner – even if yours is the last ticket drawn since there are more items than tickets. And, you’ll receive a gift certificate for a ticket to next year’s Off The Walls event, absolutely free. So truly, everyone is a winner.

CFABS’ entire catalog of items will be posted on its website Tuesday morning, January 12. Explore the phenomenal selections, and create your priority list of top 15 choices. You don’t even need to be present to be a part of this year’s amazing ‘lottery’ event. Nor do you need to personally select your winning item. CFABS has a cadre of ‘Personal Shoppers’ ready and excited to help you. Just provide CFABS with your Personal Priority List of pre-selected items, and they’ll take it from there. Simply tune in the evening of the Off the Walls Ticket Draw to share in the fun and excitement. Your Personal Shopper will select your item and the Centers’ staff will wrap and hold your winning item until you’re ready.

“This year is certainly a challenge,” concedes CFABS President Susan Bridges. “But we worked hard to design a terrific virtual experience on Zoom that you can enjoy from the [safety and] comfort of home. And we’ve come up with some brilliant 2021 alterations we think everyone will appreciate, incorporating all the needed safety precautions.”

Those who have attended this unique event in the past know what a great evening it is.

No auction, no bidding. Just purchase a ticket and you’re entered into the random drawing for beautiful artworks, collectibles, travel experiences, cuisine adventures, décor and luxury living items valued from $275.00 to $6,000.00.

To purchase tickets or for more information please call 239-495-8989 or email: cfabs@artsbonita.org.

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Shaw Gallery exhibiting Oleg Trofimov’s ‘Russian Realism’ 

Shaw Gallery of Fine Art is exhibiting work by Russian artist Oleg Trofimov.

Trofimov’s style has been described as Russian Realism – a combination of traditional realism and impressionism and his motifs focus on various aspects of life along the shore.

“I don’t think there are many people who aren’t touched by the ocean, by the romance of traveling, and capturing beautiful moments in life,” Trofimov comments. “I’m no exception. This is why on many of my canvases you will see ships, sails, foreign lands, and cozy corners of the world I have visited and loved.”

Shaw Gallery is located at 761 5th Ave S in Naples.

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Sheldon Fine Art featuring work by painter Carol Reeves

Sheldon Fine Art is featuring work by painter Carol Reeves. Working in both oil and pastels, her lively brush strokes and bold color have earned her the title of “colorist.” Carol divides her time between Maine and Connecticut, which provides her with plenty of plein-air painting opportunities that would fill any painter’s palette. Her travels also allow her to paint on location throughout the United States and Europe.

Sheldon Fine Art is located at 460 5^th Ave S in Naples. For more information about the artist or the gallery, please visit http://www.sheldonfineartnaples.com or telephone 239-649-6255.

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Naples’ Gardner Colby Gallery exhibiting Anna Kincaide stylized faceless portraits

Gardner Colby Gallery in Naples is featuring work beginning January 27 from artist Anna Kincaide’s collection of stylized paintings dedicated to her love of design and couture fashion. Similar to Marcus Jansen’s Anonymous portraits, Kincaide’s figurative replicas of faceless characters solicit a plethora of emotional responses as her work depicts experiences and emotions that are felt universally, regardless of who her viewers are.

“My strongest inspirations are fashion and design, so this led to my idea of creating portraits of stylized women disguised by avant-garde, floral-inspired hats. I don’t rely on facial expression [her portraits are indeed anonymous… one does not see the eyes], to convey emotion like most figurative artists do. Instead I rely on gesture, clothing, and color and body language.”

Kincaide graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2006. Since then, she has been a part of numerous shows in the U.S. and has been featured many times in American Art Collector magazine. Anna’s sophisticated figurative paintings have found their way into collections nationwide.

Beautiful Escape opens at the gallery on January 27, with a 4:00-7:00 p.m. reception. (Ms. Kincaide will not be in attendance.)

Gardner Colby is located at 359 Broad Avenue South in Old Naples. For more information, please telephone 239-403-7787.

To view the gallery’s online Kincaide collection, please visit http://www.gardnercolbygallery.com.  And to RSVP for the opening reception (as space is limited due to COVID-19 protocols), please call the gallery or email art@gardnercolbygallery.com.

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Diana Stetson solo show on exhibit at Sanibel’s Watson MacRae Gallery

Online and in the gallery at Sanibel’s Watson MacRae Gallery is Diana Stetson: In Love with this Earth. Using various media and techniques, Stetson layers acrylic paint, Frank Lloyd Wright stencils, vintage papers, antique lithographs and creatures painted in oil to create beautiful, uplifting paintings and collages that combine realism and abstraction. Though multi-layered, Stetson’s work is clear and fresh allowing each medium to be seen.

“To create my paintings I use custom wood panels of Baltic birch, which have high integrity,” Diana notes. “After I seal them, I can throw buckets of paint on them, sand, layer, scratch, splatter, mark, collage, stencil, throw more paint forming the abstract background. This is the atmosphere for the graphic images to be laid down. On this I paint birds, animals and/or plants, carefully rendered in oils. This layering allows me to take advantage of abstraction, as well as both graphic and representational imagery.”

Although Stetson resides in New Mexico, she is a citizen of the world, having worked and studied in various parts of the world – Greece, France, London, Japan, and Turkmenistan, as well as both coasts of the United States. These experiences inform her work, which incorporates lyrical images from the natural world in her monotypes and mixed media paintings.

You can view selected works from Diana’s oeuvre here or visit the gallery between 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Watson MacRae is located in Unit B3 at 2340 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island. For more information, please telephone 239-472-3386.

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Lafe James exhibit on view at DAAS through January 30

The Lafe James exhibit is on view at DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts through January 30. The exhibition features a selection of old Florida inspired works printed on wood, from the artist’s 1923 Trading Co. project.

The art created for the 1923 Trading Co. Project and this exhibition is inspired by the old Florida way of life. This is a wood print project that features old Florida map designs, Florida wildlife photography, and vintage posters and postcard designs. James has created a unique print process that gives the wood print a distressed, vintage aesthetic. Each print is 100% unique and individually handcrafted in Cape Coral, Florida.

“I am a 90’s kid raised on gangster rap and death metal, poisoned by television, guided by the internet, misled by society, educated through experience, self-medicated and overly analytical, but optimist and realistic with a mind polluted with images and information,” James confesses.

While the visual arts were always a hobby, a different art from was actually his first calling. He spent “the first half of my life working my way through the culinary arts.”

But then the glow of a computer monitor lured him away.

“I’ve spent the past 18 years weaving through all facets of visual design: photography, print layout, web design, brand development, packaging design, and all the posters and tee shirt graphics in between.”

James currently serves as the Art Director for a Fort Myers-based marine and paddle sport accessory development agency. But when he’s not designing for them, he’s running and working on his own business and projects. The latter include his wood print project (1923 Trading Co.) and clothing line (Nineteen Twenty Three).

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DAAS’ February show will highlight art of Columbian artist Dilya Schauer

DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery’s February show will highlight the art of Colombian artist Dilya Schauer. The exhibition will feature a selection of newer works as well as retrospective pieces from the artist’s collection.

Schauer is a veteran still life, portrait and nature painter who studied art in her native Colombia under the tutelage of prominent figures like Luis A. Acuna, S.A. Gelvis and Rodriguez Naranjo. She then furthered her studies at the Art Students League in New York. She has been a resident of Southwest Florida for more than a decade.

“For a still life painter, the initial challenge is to create a picture before the brush is put on the canvas,” Schauer explains. “I arrange the items carefully, so that they become an artistic statement themselves, establishing by association significance and dynamic relationships through specific positioning.”

The opening reception is scheduled for Friday, February 5, 2021 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m., in conjunction with the monthly Fort Myers Art Walk event. The exhibition will be on display through February 27, 2021.

DAAS CO-OP is located at 1815 Fowler Street, in the Butterfly Estates complex in Fort Myers, FL. The gallery’s temporary business hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 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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Artists have until January 25 to submit for 35th Annual All Florida Show

The Alliance for the Arts’ annual All Florida Exhibition is the most anticipated art show of the year. As the name suggests, this exhibition features pieces created by artists working in a wide variety of media from all over the 65,000 square miles that make up Florida. The juried entries come together for an award-winning and exciting exhibition representing today’s contemporary Florida artists.

The show is open to all artists residing in Florida, but only original artwork will be accepted. Categories are

• painting (including oil, acrylic, collage, watercolor and mixed media),
• drawing,
• photography,
• sculpture,
• ceramics,
• metalsmithing,
• glass,
• digital media,
• video,
• printmaking,
• fiber and
• textiles.

Awards include $1000 cash for Best in Show, 2nd Place- $250 Gift Certificate TBD, 3rd Place-$100 cash, Jurors Choice Award-Artist Membership ($55).

The 35^th Annual All Florida Exhibition will open March 5 and run through March 27, 2021. The deadline for entries is Monday, January 25. Acceptance/rejection notices will be emailed on Friday, February 12.

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Davis Art Center accepting submissions for Functional Art Show 

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center will be staging a functional art exhibit in May. Functional art is art created for use. However, while it functional art is intended to serve a utilitarian purpose, it is designed artistically, with an aesthetic or “chi” in mind so that it takes on a life of its own.

The genre is remarkably inclusive. It encompasses everything from furniture and lighting to dishes and even books. While the terms “fine” or “high” art typically apply to works that carry an intellectual and emotional sensibility alongside a dose of old-fashioned beauty, functional art infuses these aesthetic ideals into things that you might never have expected to view as art, like, say, a switchblade.

From an art history perspective, you could say that functional art is the inverse of Marcel Duchamp’s famous readymades, where he transformed utilitarian objects—a urinal, a bottle rack, etc.—into conceptual artworks by fiat. It became art because he said it was. Functional artworks, by contrast, are highly crafted artistic creations that can perform utilitarian jobs, but that collector’s might prefer to keep on the display shelf.

Today many functional art objects are as avidly acquired by collectors as their fine-art brethren, and are appreciated just as much for their beauty as their use. Ancient Chinese vases, for example, while still capable of performing their originally intended function (displaying flowers), are prized for their historic and aesthetic value more than anything else. And this is equally true of clocks, jewelry and valet boxes, lights and chandeliers, intricately-carved limestone fireplaces, and life-size figurines and wildlife sculptures which, positioned at the edge of a pond or pool, function as fountains, helping purify and circulate its water. Of course, one need look no farther than Artis Naples for two prominent examples of functional art – the Paley Gates at the Baker Museum of Art and the door handles to the performing arts hall.

The deadline for submissions is April 23, 2021. The exhibition will show in the grand atrium from May 7 through May 27, 2021.

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Davis Art Center issues call for June show ‘Recaptured’

In June, the Davis Art Center will host Recaptured, a juried art exhibition that focuses on “recapturing” waste and turning it into a desirable piece of art.

For thousands of years, what was discarded by one creature was a resource of another. Then along came humans. Today, mankind generates at least 3.5 million tons of plastic and other solid waste a day, 10 times the amount a century ago. The U.S. is the king of trash, producing a world-leading 250 million tons a year—roughly 4.4 pounds of trash per person per day. But because we’ve become very good at hiding it, the problem of disposing of this among of trash does not seem particularly impending. But make no mistake. Waste poses a major problem not only for our species, but for the survival of the planet as a whole.

As a result, recycling has become an integral part of protecting the environment. Within this rubric, two approaches have emerged – downcycling and upcycling. In the former, the destructive cycle is slowed down but the resulting objects lose quality as a result of the process. In the latter, they acquire value thanks to creative intervention.

In this regard, artists are converting glass bottles, plastic bags and other waste that would end up filling landfills or floating in the sea into a sustainable art that highlights the degradation of the planet by drawing attention to excessive or conspicuous consumption, the depletion of natural resources and the resulting environmental pollution. Artists engaged in this new genre and movement seek to transform waste such as paper, cardboard, wood, glass, plastics, metals and rubber into works of art.

The concept goes beyond the mere conventional of recycling. In fact, it goes well beyond the principle espoused by French artist Marcel Duchamps, Pablo Picasso and their contemporaries roughly a century ago that an artist transforms a manufactured object into art just by giving it a title and exhibiting it in a museum, gallery or art show. As a movement, the inclusion of waste in artistic compositions has morphed from “ready-mades,” “junk art” and the “accumulations” of Franco-American artist Arman (who aggregated trash in airtight glass cylinders and boxes) to the use of waste as an artistic medium on a par with oil, acrylic and epoxy paints or marble, stone and metal. And from this detritus a generation of eco-artists has emerged who bring new meaning to their two and three dimensional works and installation by engaging with the “reuse, reduce, and recycle” slogan through their craft.

With Recaptured, the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center not only highlights this new artistic movement and genre. It joins eco-friendly initiatives and festivals springing up around the world such as Art of Recycle in Pennsylvania and the Seattle Recycled Arts Festival that have advanced the motto of “Reduce, Reuse, Reclaim, Repurpose, and Recycle,” showing communities how they can express their creativity with extensive range by using recycled materials – and furthers the tradition of such local shows as the Alliance for the Arts’ Rejectamenta show and the Ding Darling Wildlife Society’s 2015 Upcycle! Art Fest.

Will you be – or see – the next Chiharu Shiota (whose Over the Continents installation featured an accumulation of nearly 400 individual shoes that Shiota personally collected, along with a note from each donor describing the people they have lost along with past moments, creating an emotionally charged installation), Von Wong (who created a large scale installation entitled Parting of the Sea that highlights the consumption of single-use plastics that he made from 168,000 plastic straws and recovered plastic packaging collected from the streets of Vietnam with the help of volunteers) or Susan Stockwell (whose work World features a gigantic world map made from recycled computer components, motherboards, electrical wiring, fans and myriad other components).

The deadline for submissions is May 20. The show will be displayed in the grand atrium between June 4 and June 24, and offers a $500 prize for Best in Show, $250 for SBDAC Staff Pick and $250 for People’s Choice.

Photos:

• No. 2: Gift by Patricia Esposito
• No. 3: Ride Eternal by Jay Lana
• No. 4:  Death Owl by Andrew Corke
• No. 5:  Aerial by Marcus Jansen
• No. 6:  Over the Continents by Chiharu Shiota
• No. 7:  Parting of the Sea by Von Wong
• No. 8:  World by Susan Stockwell
• No. 9:  City of Dreams by Izaskun Chinchilla Architects
• No.10: Red, Yellow & Blue by Orly Genger
• No.11:  Jurassic Plastic by Hiroshi Fuji
• No.12:  Venice Architecture Biennale 2016 core exhibit by Alejandro Aravena

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SBDAC issues call for Artist Trading Card exhibit

The Davis Art Center has issued a Call to Artists for its August show, Carded: Miniature Masterpieces. The exhibition will feature artist trading cards or ATC, tiny (2.5 x 3.5 inches) original pieces of art created with the intention of swapping or trading with another artist. On the front of an ATC, an artist creates an original work to showcase their art. It can be a one-off, part of a series, or a limited edition. On the back, the artist puts their name, contact details, title of the ATC, number if it’s a limited edition, and sometimes the date it was created. The can be made in any medium and using any technique, whether it’s painting, drawing or collage.

ATCs date back to 1997 when M. Vanci Stirnemann, a Swiss artist, created 1200 cards by hand as part of an exhibit. On the last day, he invited others to create their own cards and trade with him during the closing reception. The movement took off and, today, there are ATC swaps in almost every major city around the world. There are also many online swaps.

The movement builds on different traditions, including miniature art, which has been in existence for centuries beginning with the illustrated manuscripts of scribes in the Far East and Europe prior to the 15th century. ATCs also reflect the influence of pop art, which features motifs taken from everyday life. In this regard, ATCs share an affinity with the Fluxus movement and with Robert Filliou’s notions of a “fête permanente,” a “création permanente” or an “eternal network.”

The origin of the modern trading card is associated with cigarette cards first issued by the US-based Allen and Ginter tobacco company in 1875.

Artist Ndola Pensy introduced the artist trading card idea to Southwest Florida in 2017 with great reception among artists of different mediums in the area. Carded: Miniature Masterpieces will be curated by Cesar Aguilera.

The deadline for submissions is July 24. There is no limit on the number of submissions.

Any medium, motif and theme is acceptable, but no prints or reproductions will be curated into the show (digital art excepted). Submit your good quality images to artbuzz66@gmail.com with your name, medium, and title of each piece.

The show exhibits August 6-26. Cards will not be for sale, but in the tradition of ATC events, there will be an optional trading part at the end of the show.

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5       ART FESTIVALS

Boulderbrook has postponed Sanibel SCA Fine Arts Festival

Because it was unable to obtain a permit, Boulderbrook Production has been forced to postpone the Sanibel SCA Fine Arts Festival, which has been scheduled to take place on Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23 on the  grounds of the Sanibel Community House at 2173 Periwinkle Way.

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Estero Fine Art Show at JetBlue Park on January 30 and 31

The Estero Fine Art Show  returns to JetBlue Park (winter home of the Boston Red Sox) on Saturday, January 30, and Sunday, January 31. Since 2003 Hot Works has earned a national reputation for producing high end fine art and fine craft shows, and the Estero Fine Art Show lands in the top 100 outdoor shows in America every year. All work is original and personally handmade by the 90 quality juried artists who participate in the show. While at the art show, be sure to visit the Youth Art Competition for grades K-8 or ages 5-13 that is integrated within the art show. [Please note that while admission is free, there is a $5 charge for parking (which supports the Institute for the Arts & Education, a 501(c)(3) organization that focuses on visual arts, cultural diversity and community enrichment), good for both days with receipt.]

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Art Festival at Mercato is January 30 & 31

The Art Festival at Mercato takes place January 30 & 31. This art festival will be held on the lawn in the middle of Mercato. There will be 40 artists skilled in sculpture, painting, glass, jewelry, mixed media and more. Mercato is a wonderful location for this event. The tree lined plaza and walkways are the perfect setting for an event of this kind. Anchored by Whole Foods Market, Nordstrom Rack and Silverspot Cinema, a 12-screen premier-style theater, Mercato offers 12 notable restaurants, over 20 upscale retailers and luxury residential condominiums.

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Remaining 2020-2021 season covered in Art Festival Calendar on ARTSWFL

Given COVID-19, no one really knows what to expect from Southwest Florida’s 2020-2021 art fair and festival season. At present, Florida has re-opened all venues, most at full capacity, and organizers are proceeding on the premise that they will be able to produce their outdoor art fairs and festivals as they have in the past. So subject to that caveat, here are the outdoor art fairs and festivals you will see throughout Southwest Florida through April 30, 2021.

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6      PUBLIC ART

Public Art Committee seeks artist for aesthetic centerpiece for new park at The Forum

here’s a new park being constructed out at The Forum, and the City’s Public Art Committee is seeking an artist to create a $50,000 artwork to serve as the park’s aesthetic centerpiece.

The Forum is a 706-acre master-planned, mixed-use development located between Colonial Boulevard and SR. 82 east of I-75. It contains retail, residential, and office sites. Originally developed by a group spearheaded by former NBA star and renowned coach Pat Riley, The Forum takes its name from the arena that is home to the world champion Los Angeles Lakers basketball team. Riley won an NBA title as a player for the Lakers in 1972 and coached the team to championships in 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988.

Prior to its development, three generations of the Zipperer family raised gladiolus on the property. John O. Zipperer and his family were part of a group on entrepreneurs who established an industry based in Iona beginning in 1935 that millions of glads for more than five decades to every state in the Union east of the Rocky Mountains.

You will find the rest of this announcement here.