Actors, artists, directors, filmmakers and events in the news November 15-21, 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

Shakespeare in Paradise’s John McKerrow is Prospero in ‘The Tempest’

John McKerrow is a Naples-based stage, film and television actor, director and acting coach. He plays master magician Prospero in The Tempest for Lab Theater. McKerrow’s other stage credits include Bill in Mamma Mia!, Barrymore in I Hate Hamlet, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth in Macbeth and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. McKerrow’s television appearances include Ballers (Dr. Russ) with Dwayne Johnson (2016), Bloodline with Sissy Spacek (male guest in Episode 5, Season 2, 2016) and Burn Notice (Drunk Businessman #2, 2011). Go here for all of John’s credentials.

__________________________________________________________

Isabel Isenhower is Miranda in Lab Theater’s production of ‘The Tempest’

She showed her dramatic chops as Betty Parris in The Crucible. She tweaked them a little as a girl victimized by a homicidal roommate in Stephen Hooper’s Boxed In for Lab’s inaugural 24-Hour Screenwriting Project. Now Isabel Isenhower is taking on The Bard. She plays Miranda in The Tempest. Just three when her father was exiled to a tiny Mediterranean island, until she lays eyes on Ferdinand, she’s never seen any man other than her father, Prospero. Go here for all of Isabel’s stage and other credits.

____________________________________

Kagan Vann plays Ferdinand in ‘The Tempest’

Aspiring young actor Kagan Vann plays the part of Ferdinand in Lab Theater’s production of Shakespeare’s Tempest, which marks his Lab Theater debut. His other stage credits include deranged King Charlemagne in Pippin, Jafar in Aladdin and Shrek in Shrek the Musical.

_____________________________________________

Justin Larsche plays the monster Caliban in The Tempest

Justin Larsche plays the monster, Caliban, in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the Bard’s 17th century precursor to JRR Tolkien’s Smeagol. This is not his first time performing Shakespeare. He also played Count Orsino in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night for The Lab. Justin’s other acting credits include the Sheriff of Nottingham in Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance’s production of Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood, and lovestruck lawyer Burnette Lloyd in Beth Henley’s Southern Gothic tragi-comedy Crimes of the Heart. You can view Justin’s full profile here.

________________________________________________________

Esther Obain makes Southwest Florida debut as Ariel in ‘The Tempest’

Esther Obain makes her Southwest Florida theatrical debut as Ariel in Lab Theater’s production of The Tempest. Her stage credits include The Tell-Tale Heart and the Mind of Poe, A Few Good Women, and Christmas 2.0. In her spare time, Esther enjoys reading, tinkering with her piano and guitar, writing, and a good karaoke session.

________________________________________

Art Keen plays Alonso for The Lab in ‘The Tempest’

Art Keen plays Alonso for Lab Theater in its production of Shakespeare’s magical play The Tempest. A certified theater arts and social studies teacher with a B.S. in Theater Arts from SUNY Oneonta, Art’s theater resume is wide and varied. His most recent work includes The Crucible, portraying Jimmy Rogers in Lab Theater’s world premiere of Zalman Velvel’s D.M.V. and playing Manolo Costazuela in Del Tura Repertory Company’s production of The Odd Couple: Female Version. 

_______________________________________________

Todd Lyman plays Antonio for Lab Theater in ‘The Tempest’

Todd Lyman plays the part of Antonio for Lab Theater in The Tempest. A Lab Theater favorite, Todd’s other roles for The Lab include Assemblyman Paul Gordon, Dr. Tim and Mr. Yarmowich in Topher Payne’s Let Nothing You Dismay, Thomas Putnam in The Crucible, multiple roles (Customers 3, 6 and 9) in Lab Theater’s production of Zalman Velvel’s farce D.M.V., Teddy LaPetite in Mitch Albom’s And the Winner Is … and theater critic Ira Drew in Terrence McNally’s It’s Only a Play (which marked Todd’s Lab Theater debut). Tempest resumes with three shows this weekend, November 18-20 at 8:00 p.m. (There is NO Sunday matinee.)

__________________________________________________

Dr. Ken Bryant plays Francisco/Master for Lab in ‘The Tempest’

Dr. Ken Bryant plays Francisco/Master for Lab Theater in The Tempest. This is not Ken’s first time playing Shakespeare. Ken holds a Master’s degree in Shakespeare and a Doctoral degree in Dramatic Criticism, so it should come as no surprise that his acting credits include Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night, the Ghost of Hamlet’s father in Hamlet and Brabantio in Othello, all for Lab Theater.

___________________________________________________

Amanda Collins plays the duplicitous Stephanie in ‘The Tempest’

Amanda Collins plays the part of the duplicitous Stephanie for Lab Theater in Shakespeare’s The Tempest. You may have also seen her at Lab as Allie/Lizzie in Let Nothing You Dismay for Lab Theater. She has also appeared for Florida Repertory Theater, Lehigh Senior High and Fort Myers Theater. Amanda is currently studying theater at Florida Gulf Coast University.

____________________________________________________________

Daniel Sabiston tackles the role of Trinculo for Lab Theater in ‘The Tempest’

Daniel Sabiston is the jester, Trinculo, for Lab Theater in The Tempest. Sabiston is a local actor whose stage credits include Alan in Torch Song for The Studio Players, various roles in the summer spoof Sunset Schmoulevard, Poggio di Chullu in the regional premiere of Jordan Tannahill’s Botticelli in the Fire, an oh-so-mean bully (not bunny) rabbit by the name of Serling Hunter in Kayleigh O’Connell’s Projekt Grotesquerie, Ezekiel Cheever in The Crucible and the Journeyman in Andorra, all for the Laboratory Theater of Florida.

__________________________________

Renee Freeman is Gonzala in ‘The Tempest’

Renee Freeman is Gonzala in The Tempest. A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Renée Freeman made her Southwest Florida theatrical debut in the role of Madre Maria in the regional premiere of Jordan Tannahill’s Botticelli in the Fire. She studied in the Alliance for the Arts CHANGE program, where she performed a monologue by the character Mame Wilks for Radio Golf written by August Wilson.

________________________________________________

Robert Barner plays Adrian and a boatswain in ‘The Tempest’

Robert Barner appears in the role of Adrian/Boatswain for Lab Theater in Shakespeare’s magical play, The Tempest. He made his debut as Mister in the Southwest Florida premiere of Marsha Norman’s The Color Purple, and was terrific in the role (which is a tough part for even a veteran actor because not only is Mister physically and emotionally abusive, he undergoes a dramatic character arc which can be difficult to properly portray).

__________________________________

Jack Weld plays Sebastian in ‘The Tempest’

Several members of the cast of The Tempest have considerable experience playing characters in Shakespearean plays. Along these lines, Jack Weld joins the likes of John McKerrow (Prospero), Justin Larsche (Caliban) and Dr. Ken Bryant (Francisco/Master). For his part, Weld has played Don John in Much Ado About Nothing, Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, and one lovesick benevolent Hortensio in The Taming of the Shrew. Go here to see what else Jack has been in.

___________________________________________________

Madelaine Weymouth is ‘Nuts’ over role of Claudia Faith Draper

Madelaine Weymouth portrays Claudia Faith Draper for The Studio Players in Nuts, a divorcee turned high-class call girl who is charged with manslaughter after she kills a violent “john” in self-defense. When her mother and rich stepfather try to have her declared mentally incompetent to avoid a publicly embarrassing trial, Claudia launches a fierce battle to convince the court that she is sane. It’s a part for which Weymouth seems particularly suited in light of her performances as Vandy Jordan in Venus in Fur, Clarice Orsini in Botticelli in the Fire and Jolene in Darlyne Franklin’s short film Florida Couple.

To see what else Weymouth has been in, please go here.

________________________________

Tom Rex is Franklin MacMillan in ‘Nuts’

Tom Rex will play Franklin MacMillan for The Studio Players in Nuts. After training extensively with The Studio Players, Tom has gone on to play Schultz in The Studio Players’ production of Annie Baker’s Circle Mirror Transformation and Joe Foster in The Naples Players’ virtual performance of Becky’s New Car. Other credits include TNP’s Escanaba in da Moonlight, Don’t Talk to the Actors for The Studio Players and West Side Story for TNP’s Readers Theatre. 

________________________________

Daniel Cancio is Aaron Levinsky in ‘Nuts’

Daniel Cancio plays the part of Aaron Levinsky for The Studio Players in Nuts. An FGCU theatre grad, Daniel Cancio is an emerging talent in the local theater scene. A fan favorite among Studio Players patrons, his post-graduate credits include The Waverly Gallery, Jerry in The Zoo Story, the bartender in Speed Dating, the owl in Where is Man?, Senator Charles Whitmore’s campaign aide in Church & State, and Jerry in Don’t Talk to the Actors. You will find the rest of Daniel’s stage credits here.

_____________________________________________

Len Becker plays psychiatrist Herbert Rosenthal in ‘Nuts’

Len Becker plays the role of Dr. Herbert Rosenthal, an arrogant and odious psychiatrist cut from the same cloth as Dr. Granville Sawyer from Miracle on 34th Street. Becker plays the part to the hilt. Studio Player audiences last saw Becker as Doc Coleman in One Slight Hitch. With more than 20 years on the boards in Southwest Florida, Nuts is just the latest arrow in his quiver. Go here to see some of the other show Len has been in.

___________________________________________

Casey Cobb plays Rose Kirk for Studio Players in ‘Nuts’

Casey Cobb plays Claudia Faith Draper’s estranged mother in The Studio Players’ production of Nuts. Some of her favorite shows include The Cocktail Hour, Bakersfield Mist and, most recently, The Waverly Gallery. In addition, she has appeared in numerous productions at The Marco Players and Readers Theater at The Naples Players.

_________________________________________________

Mitch Frank plays stepdad Art Kirk for Studio Players in ‘Nuts’

Mitch Frank plays stepdad Art Kirk for The Studio Players in Nuts. The role marks his Florida debut after more than 30 years in community theater in New Jersey, where some of his favorite roles includes George in Moon Over Buffalo, Milt in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Ken in Rumors, Robert in Don’t Dress for Dinner, Stanley in Broadway Bound, Gary in Noises Off, Manolo and Jesus in Female Odd Couple, and The Man in Veronica’s Room.

_________________________________________________

Betsy Greenblatt plays the honorable Judge Murdoch in ‘Nuts’

Betsy Greenblatt is a New Jersey community theater transplant. Prior to moving to Southwest Florida a the end of 2019, Betsy performed in community theatre in New Jersey for almost 40 years, where some of her favorite roles included Mama in A Shayna Maidel, Charlotte Hay in Moon Over Buffalo, Florence in Female Odd Couple, and Miss Prism in The Importance of Being Earnest. Betsy makes her Southwest Florida premiere as Judge Murdoch in Nuts for The Studio Players. Betsy has also been cast as the wife in The Studio Players upcoming performance of Slow Food.

_____________________________________

Dan Miller is the bailiff in Studio Players’ ‘Nuts’

Locally, Dan has been active in the Reader’s Theater with The Naples Players for the past 5 years, where he has both performed in and directed several productions. He makes his Studio Players’ debut in the role of Officer Harry Haggerty in Nuts. Go here to see what else Dan has been in.

_________________________________________________________

Melissa Whitworth stars as Maria in ‘Sound of Music’ at Broadway Palm

Melissa Whitworth stars as Maria in The Sound of Music, on the main stage at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre now through November 20. Her local stage credits include Winter Wonderettes for Off Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre), Grace Farrell in Annie for Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre (2018), Vera in Odd Couple: Female Version (Off-Broadway Palm, 2017), Mary Poppins in the Disney musical of the same name (for Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 2017), and Karol in Another Night Before Christmas (for Off Broadway Palm, 2016). As the lead in Mary Poppins, Whitworth received rave reviews from Broadway World’s Emily Yorgey, Florida Weekly’s Nancy Stetson and The River Weekly’s Di Saggau. She has received Broadway World Best Actress nominations for her roles in 1776 and Shrek. Go here to see what else Melissa has been in.

__________________________________________________________________

Kat Ebaugh part of ensemble cast of ‘Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ at TNP

Kat Ebaugh is part of the ensemble cast of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, which opens with a red carpet gala at 6:30 p.m. in Blackburn Hall at The Naples Players. In addition to performing with Stage 2 Improv troupe, she has appeared in numerous stage productions at The Naples Players, including TNP’s virtual production of Comedy Night on August 22, 2020 as well as Kay O’Connell’s outdoor horror Projekt Grotesquerie. You may have also seen Kat as The Little Mermaid in Lab Theater’s filmed production of Dennis Giacino’s Off-Broadway smash Disenchanted: A New Musical Comedy [Stay-At-Home Version] and a woman trapped between parallel universes in Laura Lorusso’s short film Multiverse Anomaly for the 2021 Lab Theater 24-Hour Screenwriting Project. Go here for Kat’s full profile.

_____________________________________________________________________

F. Scott Davis part of ensemble cast of ‘Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ for TNP

F. Scott Davis is part of the ensemble cast of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, which performs at The Naples Players in November. Davis a local actor who was active in theater in Michigan before locating to Southwest Florida. His area stage credits include Ed in The Studio Players’ production of Torch Song, Vicomte de Nanjac/Phipps in An Ideal Husband for The Naples Players, Girolamo Savonarola in Botticelli in the Fire, Michael in the Florida premiere of How to Transcend a Happy Marriage (directed by Steven Ditmyer), and the roles of Dennis Gordon, Jerry and Rich in the Florida premiere of Topher Payne’s comedic farce Let Nothing You Dismay for Lab Theater. For more on Scott, please go here.

_________________________________________

Cassie Sampson plays Leann in ‘A Piece of My Heart’

Cassie appears in the role of Leann in A Piece of My Heart for Cultural Park Theater. A local stage actor, Cassie Sampson has been involved in over 20 productions at Cultural Park Theater, both on and off stage, since making her CPT debut in Godspell in 1996. Her credits include Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors, Gwendolyn Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest, Becky Two Shoes in Urinetown, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense, Chelsea in On Golden Pond, Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Little Red in Into the Woods and Chiffon in CPT’s 2004 production of Little Shop of Horrors. The rest of her profile is here.

_____________________________________________________

Chantelle Bloise-Elmahmoudi plays Martha in ‘A Piece of My Heart’

Chantelle Bloise-Elmahmoudi will be playing the role of Martha in Cultural Park Theater’s production of A Piece of My Heart. Her previous credits include Doris in The Owl & the Pussycat, Ms. Luce in Little Shop of Horrors, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Zombie Prom, Vera in She Kills Monsters and the bird seller in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street– all at Cape Coral High School.

__________________________________

2     DIRECTORS & PLAYWRIGHTS

Bianca ‘JustBee’ Russell provides choreography for ‘The Tempest’

An all-around artist, Bianca “JustBee” Russell dances, sings and paints. She is also a pre-eminent choreographer, as her work for Lab Theater in The Color Purple amply demonstrated. Now she is turning her attention to the Bard, providing the choreography for The Tempest. Yes, The Tempest is not just about magic. It includes dance too. Besides Color Purple, her choreography credits already include such noteworthy productions as Subzero, The MAAFA, Ophelia, Thesis, Raw Impulse, Legends Who Rock and Inspire and The Soul Train Experience. Judges Laurieann Gibson, Chriss Judd and Mia Michaels gave her high marks and a performance scholarship for her choreography on So You Can Think You Can Dance, and she was also awarded a performance scholarship from Americas Best Dance Crew. Her work in The Color Purple is another tour de force. For more on Ms. Russell, please go here.

__________________________________

3    THEATER

‘Sound of Music’ on Broadway Palm main stage through November 20

On stage through November 20 at Broadway Palm is The Sound Of Music. This endearing musical is based on the book The Story of the Trapp Family Singers and the 1965 film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound Of Music has touched the hearts of audiences around the world for decades. Follow Maria, the high-spirited, aspiring nun as she is sent from her convent to be the governess to seven unruly children of a strict father, Captain von Trapp. The children eventually come to like Maria and she finds herself falling in love with the captain.  The timeless score includes Do-Re-Mi, My Favorite Things, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, Edelweiss and The Sound of Music.

Andrew Fehrenbacher and Melissa Whitworth star as Capt. von Trapp and Maria.

Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Beginning November 2, performances are Tuesday through Sunday with selected matinees. Tickets are $50 to $75 with children and group prices 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.

__________________________________________________________

Cultural Park’s ‘A Piece of My Heart’ closes with five shows this weekend

Cultural Park Theater’s production of Shirley Lauro’s A Piece of My Heart closes this weekend with five shows: at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights along with 3:00 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday, November 19 & 20. The play tells the powerful true-life story of six women who went to Vietnam – five medical nurses plus a country-western singer booked by an unscrupulous agent to entertain the troops for the USO. Each of these exceptional women is revealed before, during, and after her stressful experiences in the ravaged, war-torn nation.  Go here for the rest of this advance.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information

_______________________________________________________

Lab’s production of Shakespeare’s ‘Tempest’ nothing short of magical

The Laboratory Theater of Florida is presenting William Shakespeare’s The Tempest through November 20. Shakespeare’s classic comedy about betrayal and family will lead you on a magical journey. But don’t be fobbed off by the fact that this is “Shakespeare.” A feast for the eyes, The Tempest is pure magic and Justin Larsche is amazing as the monster, Calaban, who is the 17th century precursor of JRR Tolkien’s Smeagol. The rest of this advance is here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

____________________________________________________

To assimilate or not to assimilate, that is the question in ‘Tempest’

Lab Theater has on stage until November 20 Shakespeare’s The Tempest, one of the Bard’s last plays. With a plot that is centered around magic and fanciful celestial beings, Lab’s production of the play provides a veritable feast for the eyes and stimuli for the imagination. But the play possesses considerable metaphorical content, especially when viewed from the vantage of present-day social and political sensibilities. Viewed in this context, The Tempest speaks volumes to our insistence that immigrants to the United States learn the English language, adopt American political values, identify as Americans and embrace American culture.

First produced in 1611, The Tempest is a story about betrayal, love, forgiveness and redemption.

Go here for the balance of this story.

_______________________________________________

New Phoenix’s global celebration of local theater is tonight

New Phoenix Theatre joins thousands of theatrical organizations around the globe by producing its own local production of Music Theatre International’s All Together Now!: A Global Event Celebrating Local Theatre tonight. Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI) created this revue for theaters across the globe to use as a local fundraising event performed over the weekend of November 12, 2021.

All Together Now! features songs from MTI’s beloved catalogue of musicals including Annie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Godspell, Guys and Dolls, Into the Woods, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, My Fair Lady, Once on This Island and many more. Performers include (alphabetically) Lee Blackston, Cantrella Canady, Jason Drew, Kay Francis, Nikki Hagel, Evie Hennessy, Tricia Hennessy, Kenneth Bradley Johnson, Lauren Redeker Miller and Bill Shideler.

Tickets are $20.00 and are available at NewPhoenixTheatreFortMyers.org.

___________________________________________________________________

‘Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ denoted by catchy music, hilarious comedy

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder opens in Blackburn Hall at The Naples Players on Wednesday, November 23 with a red carpet gala from 6:30-7:30 that features local vendors, food, drinks and live music by Chariot.

Nominated for ten Tony Awards, this comedic romp is filled with unforgettable music and non-stop laughs. The show follows Monty Navarro (Luke Jaconis) who finds out he is ninth in line to inherit an earldom and a large family fortune.  He decides he must eliminate the other eight heirs standing in his way. But the plot thickens as Monty tries to win the heart of Sibella Hallward (JamieLynn Bucci) until he finds himself drawn to Phoebe D’Ysquiths (Elizabeth Feins).

The rest of this advance is here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

__________________________________________________________________

Naples Players teams with Naples Therapeutic Riding Center to create new program

The Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC) and The Naples Players (TNP) have teamed up to present a unique program to Southwest Florida. It is so unique in fact that it is the only one of its kind in the United States.

Called Expressive Theater Therapy with Horses, it is a free program offered to those who are eager to

• reduce and manage stress,
• deal with grief and loss,
• ease symptoms of trauma, depression, or anxiety,
• create healthier relationships, and
• improve communications and increase self-awareness and trust.

Go here for the rest of this story.

____________________________________________________________________

‘Nuts’ is so much more than best courtroom drama since ‘Witness for the Prosecution’

For several years now, America has been divided over pop star Britney Spears’ struggles to end the conservatorship that a California court ordered in 2008 at the behest of her father. While there is growing sentiment to “Free Britney,” there are those who point to instances of bad behavior as evidence that the singer/entertainer is “nuts” and needs to have every aspect of her personal, professional and public life managed and controlled. Claudia Faith Draper knows exactly how Britney feels. In The Studio Players’ production of Tom Topor’s Nuts, Claudia too struggles for control of her life when her mother and stepfather seek to have her declared mentally incompetent after Claudia kills a violent “john” in self-defense and is charged with manslaughter in the first degree. The rest of this advance is here.

__________________________________

4     ARTISTS

Lily Hatchett to perform ‘Paper Grotto Live’ during Music Walk on November 19

Performance artist Lily Hatchett will be performing her nationally-renowned Paper Grotto Live! for the second time during the Fort Myers Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show at the Langford Kingston Home on Friday, November 19 during Music Walk. Incorporating principles of Butoh, Hatchett projects video imagery onto tall free-standing white paper sculptures that resemble a hidden cave or grotto as performers dressed in white clothing and dog heads move about this environment to musical accompaniment interacting with each other while performing seemingly random movements and improvisational tasks. If you haven’t seen the performance, “It’s like singing in the shower or hiding in plain sight … you haven’t seen anything like it … bedazzles the brain ….” Go here for more.

____________________________________________________

Paper Grotto Live! to perform during Music Walk on November 19

The Fort Myers Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show is on view now through November 27 in the historic Langford Kinston Home in the downtown Fort Myers River District. The exhibition showcases the work of artists who received grants from the City of Fort Myers in 2018 and 2019, including (alphabetically) Patricia Collins, Lily Hatchett, Krista Johnson, Leo Johnson, Mike Kiniry, Tim Smith, Terry Lynn Spry, Berry van Boekel, Gregory and Warren Van Kirk and Rosaline Young. [Please click on the links to learn more about each artist and their body of work.] As an added bonus, busts cast in 1990 by North Fort Myers sculptor D.J. Wilkins for the Harborside Event Center are on display in the foyer of the Langford Kingston Home along with a bust of Seminole Chief Billy Bowlegs.

You can read the balance of this announcement here.

_________________________________________________

Actor Trace Meier turns Techno Dog at Grant Recipient Show

Trace Meier is a local actor who just completed a run in the ensemble of Young Frankenstein for New Phoenix Theatre. He previously portrayed Dr. Scott in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show. Meier has also been featured in the inaugural seasons of Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts and FGCU’s TheatreLab. Also a founding dancer with Gulfcoast Dance, Trace next appears as a Techno Dog in Lily Hatchett’s Paper Grotto Live, performing beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the historic Langford Kingston Home on Friday, November 19 concurrently with Music Walk. It’s all part of the Fort Myers Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show.

____________________________________________________________________

Artist Roseline Young exhibiting in Grant Recipient Show at Langford Kingston Home

Fiber artist Roseline Young is exhibiting samples of her work in the Fort Myers’ Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show, which is taking place at the historic Langford Kingston Home during the month of November. Young utilizes weaving, quilting, spinning and fabric manipulation to create artworks and installations for both indoor settings and outdoor venues. Her medium includes cotton, wool, linen, mohair and raw, unspun fleece, some of which she obtains from friends who raise sheep and grow their own cotton. Young creates tapestries, installations and community weavings for display in public spaces. Many of these artworks and installations express environmental concerns relating to water quality and climate change. You can find out more about Rose and her art here.

______________________________________________________________________

Lambertus ‘Berry’ van Boekel exhibiting Top 100 List paintings at Grant Recipient Show

Portrait and figurative painter Berry van Boekel is exhibiting selections from is Top 100 2019 and The Top 100 2021 series in Fort Myers’ Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show in the historic Langford Kingston Home. The works in the Top 100 series document the musicians and bands that van Boekel listens to each year, dating back to 1991. Recently van Boekel opened The Top 100 Archive and Studio, a space near downtown Fort Myers dedicated to the history of his Top 100 project. Go here to learn about Berry and his art.

________________________________________________________________

Tim Smith bringing mapping projection phenomenon to Langford Kinston Home

Artist and art educator Tim Smith will be bringing the evolving genre of projection mapping to the historic Langford Kinston Home during Music Walk on November 19. He’s part of the Fort Myers Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show that is on view through November 27. Not only will Tim project a computerized video light show onto the facade of Walter Langford’s 1919 residence, he also has work on display in one of the home’s four upstairs bedrooms. For more on Tim Smith and the art of projection mapping, please read here.

______________________________________________________

Mike Kiniry’s ‘Three Song Stories’ featured by Grant Recipient Show

Mike Kiniry was one of the area artists who received an Individual Artist Grant from the City of Fort Myers during the 2018-2019 cycle. If the name sounds familiar, one reason could be that Mike produces Gulf Coast Live and is co-creator and host of the WGCU podcast Three Song Stories: Biography Through Music.

Mike’s grant helped fund and support the latter initiative, so Mike has provided a loop featuring outtakes from selected Three Song Stories interviews for viewers to sample during the Fort Myers Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show on view now through November 27 in the historic Langford Kingston Home in downtown Fort Myers (across from the Burroughs Home).

The premise of the 3SS podcast is as ingenious as it is unique.

The rest of his profile is here.

_________________________________________________________

Krista Johnson exhibiting figurative abstracts in Grant Recipient Show

Krista Johnson is one of the artist exhibiting work in this year’s Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show, on view now through November 27 in the historic Langford Kingston Home. Krista Johnson has spent her life in the lush nature of Southwest Florida and her paintings are spirited expressions that capture the color, abundance and mystery of the world she loves. “I have arrived at a style which is intrinsically mine – my paintings have a part of me in them,” states Krista. “When I am moved by something extraordinary I have seen in nature, I try to convey those feelings onto the canvas.  My hope is that it translates to the viewer.” The rest of this profile is here.

_____________________________________________________

Leo Johnson exhibiting abstract artworks in Grant Recipient Show

Leo Johnson is one of the artists exhibiting work in this year’s Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show, on view now through November 27 in the historic Langford Kingston Home. Leo Johnson is a third generation Cuban-Sicilian who is immersed in the realms of art, culture and language. His paintings are in many prestigious collections and universities, including the Student Union Building at Florida Gulf Coast University. Read here for more on Leo and his art.

_____________________________________________________

Gregory Van Kirk exhibiting photography in Grant Recipient Show

In Southwest Florida, Gregory Van Kirk is best known as bass guitarist of the rock group Strange Arrangement, but since 1999, he has also been turning his creative attention to fine art photography. He utilizes modern technology to capture, create and present his work to viewers, commonly in the form of an encompassing 360-degree circle, spherical view or tiny planet. You can see an example of his work at the Langford Kingston Home, which is hosting the Fort Myers Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show through November 27.

For more on Gregory, his photography and Strange Arrangement, please read here.

_______________________________________________

5     ART SHOWS, EXHIBITIONS & ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

Wegman & Massing ‘Two Clever by Half’ at Rauschenberg Gallery through December 4

Florida Southwestern State College is exhibiting William WEGMAN & Jack MASSING: TWO CLEVER BY HALF – A Call & Response Project at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery from September 2 through December 4, 2021.  Described by the artists as “an experimental visual discussion in a studio setting within the Gallery,” this site-specific exhibition will premiere newly-commissioned collaborative works in a frequently evolving installation.

With the artists-in-residence often creating work in “full-view” during regular/public Gallery hours, this exhibition will provide an unprecedented opportunity to experience the “work-in-progress” of internationally-renowned (yet, first-time) collaborators, Jack Massing and William Wegman.

Go here for the rest of this summary.

_______________________________________________________

DAAS featuring Rodney Acosta’s ‘Theatre of the Absurd’ in November

Throughout the month of November, DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery will showcase the artwork of Puerto Rican artist Rodney Acosta. Acosta’s works in mixed media on board and canvas, utilizing found objects, oils, spray paint, and textiles. He has titled this exhibition Theatre of the Absurd.

In this collection, Acosta aims at expressing the strange side of what most call “normal” or maybe the inexplicable – from alien scenarios with strange plants to abandoned sites with melancholic glimpse of better and happier times. Some pieces are inspired in the artist’s experiences while others belong strictly to the unconscious.

“I like to play with the Easter egg concept of hiding social protest or mischievous hints in my work,” says Rodney, whose technique consists in dramatic contrasts of light, adding a tridimensional effect, combined with aggressive surface scratching in a constructive and destructive manner. “To me, this is the cycle of life in itself.”

Acosta is native of Puerto Rico who migrated to Florida shortly after graduating with a degree in fine arts from the School of Visual Arts. He later attended Rollins College, where he pursued additional fine arts credits. Rodney has been working and exhibiting his works in United States and the Caribbean.

The opening reception is scheduled from 6:00-9:30 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2021, in conjunction with the monthly Fort Myers Art Walk event. Theater of the Absurd will be on display through November 28, 2021.

DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts is located at 1815 Fowler Street, in the Butterfly Estates complex in Fort Myers, FL. The gallery’s temporary 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.

_______________________________________________________________________

Grant Recipient Show open to public weekdays in November at Langford Kingston Home

The Fort Myers Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show is on view now through November 27 in the historic Langford Kinston Home in the downtown Fort Myers River District. The exhibition showcases the work of artists who received grants from the City of Fort Myers in 2018 and 2019, including (alphabetically) Patricia Collins, Lily Hatchett, Krista Johnson, Leo Johnson, Mike Kiniry, Tim Smith, Terry Lynn Spry, Berry van Boekel, Gregory and Warren Van Kirk and Rosaline Young. [Please click on the foregoing hyperlinks to learn more about each artist and their body of work.] As an added bonus, busts cast in 1990 by North Fort Myers sculptor D.J. Wilkins for the Harborside Event Center are on display in the foyer of the Langford Kingston Home along with a bust of Seminole Chief Billy Bowlegs.

Please go here for the rest of this announcement.

_______________________________

6.  ART FESTIVALS

Deadline for Naples Downtown Art Show is December 10

The deadline for artist applications for Naples Art Association’s Naples Downtown Art Show is December 10, 2021. Now in its 34th year, the Naples Downtown Art Show is one of the last major art festivals of the winter season and a favorite festival for artists, art enthusiasts and collectors.

This festival was rated #34 by Sunshine Artist Magazine 2018.

If you would like to exhibit in this show, here’s what you will need to know:

• Dates: Saturday and Sunday, March 19 & 20, 2022
• Festival Hours:  10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Location: 5th Avenue South, Downtown Naples
• Accept 250 artists max
• Application fee: $35
• Booth fee: $540 for 10×10
• Cancellation refund policy: TBA
• Set up specifics: 4 a.m., early morning set up only;
• On street set up in quads: No electrical
• Application deadline: December 10, 2021
• Jury Process begins: December 17, 2021
• Status Notification: December 29, 2021
• Booth Fee Due: January 21, 2022
• Artist Info Emailed: March 4, 2022
• Wait List Acceptance: January 22, 2022
• Full Refund Deadline:  February 4, 2022 (subject to $50 processing fee)
• No Refund Deadline:  February 18, 2022

There are openings for 250 artists.

________________

7.   PUBLIC ART

Public Art Committee seeking artists for outdoor artwork at new fire station

The Fort Myers Public Art Committee is seeking artists for a representational, three-dimensional outdoor artwork to be installed at a new fire station serving the City of Fort Myers. The sculpture is to be installed at Station 17, a Missile Level E Essential Facility providing fire and EMS services to business locations and residential developments along Six Mile Cypress Parkway that are located south of Colonial Boulevard and north of Daniels Parkway, as well as the southbound lanes of I-75. Located in Ward 6 (represented by Councilperson Darla Bonk), the station is expected to be completed in late Spring or early summer of 2022.

Go here for the rest of this announcement.

____________________________

8.  FILM

TGIM returns to Davis Art Center on December 6

T.G.I.M. returns to the Davis Art Center on Monday, December 6. As in years past, T.G.I.M. gives area cineastes a look at how the Fort Myers Film Festival views submissions and a voice in the selection process.

“This is one of the highlights of our season,” says Melissa Tschari DeHaven, producer and co-host of T.G.I.M. and the Fort Myers Film Festival. “It’s so much fun! Everyone loves coming out on Monday nights. There’s always something happening that you wouldn’t expect on a weeknight.”

Go here for the rest of this advance.