Visual & Performing Artists and their events in the news October 15-21, 2023

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

1     ACTORS

Alexandra Adams is Veronica in TheatreZone-FGCU ‘Heathers’ collaboration

Alexandra Adams plays the part of Veronica in the TheatreZone-FGCU collaboration of Heathers the Musical. With clear powerful vocals and incredible range, Alex is capable of enthralling any audience in both solos and duets, but she also has an uncanny ability to harmonize with the entire cast in the show’s many lyric-laden production numbers. A senior theatre major from Bradenton, this is Alex’s first opportunity to work with a professional equity theater like TheatreZone. It clearly won’t be her last. Read the rest of this Spotlight here.

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Haley Adkins is Heather Chandler (The Red Queen) in ‘Heathers’ 

Haley Adkins portrays the Red Queen, Heather Chandler, in the TheatreZone-FGCU collaboration on Heathers. A senior theater major with a minor in Religious Studies, Haley’s previous credits include  Nicola in Kinky Boots (Weathervane Theatre), Lady Lucile in Once Upon a Mattress (Weathervane Theatre), and Billing in An Enemy of the People (Florida Gulf Coast University).

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Nicole Anderson is Alma Hix in ‘Music Man Musical’

Nicole Anderson plays the part of Alma Hix in The Music Man Musical. Her character sings one of the show’s most memorable lines, “Oh yes, that woman made brazen overtures, with a guilt-edge guarantee / She had a golden glint in her eye and a silver voice with a counterfeit ring / Just melt her down and you’ll reveal / a lump of lead as cold as steel / Here, where a woman’s heart should be.” Nicole’s prior credits include Grimhilde, the Evil Queen, in Disney’s Descendants: The Musical and one of the Ancestors in Addams Family, a role that followed a 25 year hiatus in on-stage appearances.

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Aubrey Barnhouse portrays Regina George for Melody Lane in ‘Mean Girls’

Aubrey Barnhouse plays the part of Regina George in Mean Girls High School Edition for Melody Lane Theatre. Past roles include Cosette in Melody Lane Theatre’s production of Les Miserables, Katherine Plumber in Newsies for Belle Theatre, Jasmine in Aladdin Jr., Jack’s Mom in Into The Woods, Morticia in Addams Family Jr. and the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods Jr.

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Gerrie Benzing is Mother Superior in ‘Drinking Habits’ at Belle Theatre

A local stage and film actor, director, musical theatre instructor and the founder and creative director of Monologues4kids.com, Gerrie Benzing plays Mother Superior in Drinking Habits for The Belle Theatre. Gerrie’s credits include Gertrude in Save Hamlet (for Lab Theater), Raven in Trouble (at the Vista View Mobile Home Estates) for Florida Rep, Brooke in Other Desert Cities for The Studio Players and Florence Ungar The Odd Couple: Female Version (Belle Theatre, 2022). Read Gerrie’s extensive theatrical credits here.

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Lemec Bernard plays Sterling Johnson in August Wilson’s Radio Golf’

Lemec Bernard plays the part of Sterling Johnson in August Wilson’s Radio Golf. He has previously appeared in the roles of attorney Henry Brown in David Mamet’s Race at Lab Theater, multiple roles in Confusions (which consisted of three one-act plays, The Still Alarm by George S. Kauffman and Alan Ayckbourn’s Between Mouthfuls and A Talk in the Park), Hedley’s bestie Mister in August Wilson’s King Hedley II,  and Tom in Engagement Rules. Read the rest of Lemec’s theatrical credits here.

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Joey Bostic reprises the role of Frank-N-Furter in ‘Rocky Horror’ for Fort Myers Theatre

Joey Bostic reprises the role of Frank-N-Furter in Rocky Horror for Fort Myers Theatre. He previously played the part for Fort Myers Theatre in 2022 and for New Phoenix Theatre in 2019. Bostic’s previous credits include Mary Sunshine in Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse, work in the ensemble of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for Lab Theater, Benny in Rent at Fort Myers Theatre, and virgin-turned-vampire Madeleine Astarte in Charles Busch’s Vampire Lesbians of Sodom for the Alliance for the Arts. Go here to read the rest of Bostic’s theatrical credits.

Allison Ceralde goes phantom in ‘Rocky Horror Show’

Allison Ceralde is one of the phantoms at Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s castle in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show. Among Allison’s prior stage credits are work in the ensemble of Beauty and the Beast at Fort Myers Theatre, Sophie in Mamma Mia!, Shulie in Schoolhouse Rock Live and Sally Perks in Puffs.

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Amanda Collins plays Martha Dunnstock in TheatreZone’s ‘Heathers’

Amanda Collins is an aspiring young actor. She plays Martha Dunnstock for TheatreZone in Heathers the Musical. Pervious credits include Emilie in Dangerous Liaisons, Bad Idea 1 in Avenue Q, Stephanie in The Tempest and Allie/Lizzie in Let Nothing You Dismay for Lab Theater as well as shows for Florida Repertory Theater, Lehigh Senior High and Fort Myers Theater. She is currently a senior studying theater at Florida Gulf Coast University.

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Ryan Porter Craig is Father Chenille in ‘Drinking Habits’ at Belle Theatre

Ryan Porter Craig appears as Father Chenille in Drinking Habits at Belle Theatre. Previous credits include the Wolf and Prince Charming Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods (at new Phoenix Theatre), the voice of Audrey II for Belle Theatre in Little Shop of Horrors, multiple roles for Gulf Coast Symphony in their holiday revue, Snowbird Follies and the dual roles of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Jekyll & Hyde the Musical.

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Jorja Evans plays Taylor Wedell for Melody Lane Theatre in ‘Mean Girls’

Jorja Evans appears in the role of Taylor Wedell in Mean Girls High School Edition for Melody Lane Theatre. Her previous credits include ensemble of Les Miserables in Melody Lane Theatre’s 2023 encore production of the musical, one of Jesus’ modern-day disciples in Godspell for Fort Myers Theatre, Amy March in Little Women, work in the ensemble of Elf Jr., Miss Honey in Matilda, Jr., Mrs. McKee in The Great Gatsby, Margot Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank and Ursula in Fort Myers Theatre’s summer show The Little Mermaid Jr. (2020).

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Diane Hembling reprises role of Mrs. Paroo in ‘Music Man’ musical

Diane Hembling reprises the role of Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man Musical at Fort Myers Theatre, a character she performed, along with Mrs. Darling, in The Music Man for Cultural Park Theatre. Diane made her Fort Myers Theatre debut in the role of Marmee March in Little Women. She performed professionally as Cinderella’s Stepmother in the Herb Strauss Theater’s production of Into the Woods. Diane’s community theater credits include Peter Pan, Sweeney Todd and Brigadoon, as well as numerous shows at Cultural Park Theatre in Cape Coral.

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Mark King appears as a phantom in ‘Rocky Horror’

Mark King appears for Fort Myers Theatre as one of the phantoms in The Rocky Horror Show. Mark has previously appeared as Guildenstern for Lab Theater in its summer spoof, Save Hamlet, Amos Hart in Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse (in which he was anything but cellophane), in the ensemble of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for Lab Theater, various roles (Sholes, Harry, Bird) in Lab Theater’s 2022 summer spoof of the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock horror film The Birds, as Major Domo in Dangerous Liaisons, as Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q and comedian Eddie McCuen in The Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940s.

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Terry Lavy in the role of Mayor Shinn in ‘Music Man’ 

Terry Lavy plays the part of Mayor Shinn in The Music Man Musical. He will also reprise the role of the Narrator in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show (having previously played the part in 2022). Terry’s recent stage credits include the Ghost and Hamlet’s father in Save Hamlet at Lab Theater (2023), Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast for Fort Myers Theatre (2023), the detective, Hunyak’s defense attorney and the prosecutor in Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse (2023), Mr. Lawrence in Little Women (2023) and the Von Trapp butler, Franz, in The Sound of Music (2023). View Terry’s stage credits here.

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Emma Luke-Said inhabits persona of Magenta in Fort Myers Theatre’s ‘Rocky Horror’

Emma Luke-Said inhabits the persona of Magenta in Rocky Horror at Fort Myers Theatre. Emma’s prior stage credits include Princess Badroulbadour for The Belle Theatre in Disenchanted the Musical, Mrs. Beauregarde for Fort Myers Theatre in Willy Wonka, work in the ensemble of Beauty and the Beast for Fort Myers Theatre, Go-to-Hell Kitty and work in the ensemble of Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse, and work in the ensemble of both Rent and Rocky Horror at Fort Myers Theatre, where she also played the part of Sister Berta in The Sound of Music.

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Allison Lund is Riff Raff in Fort Myers Theatre’s ‘Rocky Horror’

Allison Lund appears for Fort Myers Theatre in the role of Riff Raff in Rocky Horror. Allison’s previous credits include Bernadette in POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive for Lab Theater, June in Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse, Magenta for Fort Myers Theatre in The Rocky Horror Show, both Stage Manager and Ensemble member in Rent, Clairee Belcher in Steel Magnolias and Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby.

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Cicero McCarter plays Old Joe Barlow in August Wilson’s ‘Radio Golf’ 

Cicero McCarter appears in August Wilson’s Radio Golf in the role of Elder Joseph (“Old Joe”) Barlow. An August Wilson veteran, he was previously seen in the role of Wining Boy in Theatre Conspiracy’s production of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, Canewell (a/k/a Stool Pigeon) in King Hedley II, Bynum Walker in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Hedley in Seven Guitars and Slow Drag in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The rest of Cicero’s stage and film credits are here.

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Ariana Miliam goes phantom for Fort Myers Theatre in ‘Rocky Horror’

Ariana Milian reprises the role of one of the Phantoms in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show (which she played in 2022). Ariana’s previous stage credits include Mrs. Gloop for Fort Myers Theatre in Willy Wonka, Francesca for Lab Theater in the world premiere of Save Hamlet, the ensemble of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Laboratory Theater of Florida, Sister Sophia in The Sound of Music for Fort Myers Theatre and a member of the ensemble of Rent.

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Lilikoi Porter plays Janet Weiss in Fort Myers Theatre’s ‘Rocky Horror Show’

Lilikoi Porter assumes the role of the shy, demure and virginal Janet Weiss for Fort Myers Theatre in The Rocky Horror Show. Fort Myers Theatre patrons will remember Lilikoi as the rabbit in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, a show in which she also function as both swing and Stage Manager. But Janet Weiss is no silly rabbit. She’ll put up no resistance and stay the distance because she has an itch to scratch. “I need assistance. Toucha toucha toucha touch me. I want to be dirty. Thrill me, chill me, fulfill me. Creature of the night.” Lilikoi’s prior stage credits include Sister Margaretta in Sound of Music at Fort Myers Theatre along with Meg in Little Women and the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot back home in North Carolina.

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Georgia Rainero plays Karen Smith in ‘Mean Girls’ at Melody Lane Theatre

Georgia Rainero plays the part of Karen Smith for Melody Lane Theatre in Mean Girls High School Version. Georgia’s prior stage credits include Judy in A Chorus Line (Melody Lane Theatre), work in the ensemble of Les Miserables (Melody Lane Theatre in both 2023 and 2021), Elmer in Newsies (The Belle Theatre) and one of the Venus-A-Go-Go-Girls in Rock of Ages (Melody Lane Theatre).

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Jake Raterman plays Damian Hubbard in ‘Mean Girls’

Jake Raterman plays the part of Damian Hubbard in Mean Girls High School Edition for Melody Lane Theatre. Prior stage credits include the title role in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Mr. Holgate in Bulletproof Backpack at the Center for Performing Arts Bonita and Hovstad in An Enemy of the People at Florida Gulf Coast University. Read the rest of Raterman’s stage credits here.

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Donna Richman is Sister Augusta in ‘Drinking Habits’ at Belle Theatre

After acting for many years in New York, Donna Richman made her Florida debut at New Phoenix Theatre in the role of Norma in Deborah Laufer’s The Last Schwartz. She next appears in the role of Sister Augusta in Drinking Habits at The Belle Theatre. Favorite past roles include Katherine in Welcome Home (Billboard Players), Renee in After-Play (Theatre Box), Karen in Plaza Suite (Herricks Players), Molly in The Front Page (Hofstra/USA), Claudia in Nuts and Felicity in The Shadow Box (Thursday Night Theatre).

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Brittany Ringsdore reprises role of Columbia in ‘Rocky Horror’

Brittany Ringsdore reprises the role of Columbia when Rocky Horror returns to Fort Myers Theatre. Brittany’s prior credits include Queen Belle in Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, Matilda in All Shook Up, Ursula in Little Mermaid, Dragon in Shrek and Sour Kangaroo in Seussical. Brittany also spends time on Tik Tok @brittanyringsdore cosplaying popular characters such as Harley Quinn, Christine Daae, Mary Jane Watson and Belle.

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Cassie Sampson is Sister Mary Catherine in ‘Drinking Habits’ at Belle Theatre

Cassie Sampson plays Sister Mary Catherine in Drinking Habits for Fort Myers Theatre. Prior credits include Sleeping Beauty for The Belle Theatre in Disenchanted the Musical, the Witch in Into the Woods for New Phoenix Theatre, Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors, Cinderella’s stepmother in Into the Woods for Belle Theatre, and work in the ensemble of Jekyll & Hyde the Musical and Queen Gynecia in Heed over Heels the Musical for New Phoenix Theatre.  Go here to view all of Cassie’s theatrical credits.

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Bridget Scott is librarian Marian Paroo in ‘Music Man Musical’

Bridget Scott plays prim and proper librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo in The Music Man Musical for Fort Myers Theatre. Her character is an astute judge of character, and immediately sees through con man Harold Hill, who arrives in town posing as a boys’ band organizer as a ploy to sell the town band instruments and uniforms he knows absolutely nothing about. But when Harold helps Marian’s younger brother overcome his lisp and social awkwardness, Marian begins to fall in love with him. You will find Bridget’s previous stage credits here.

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Maya Senecharles is Heather Duke in TheatreZone’s ‘Heathers’ musical

Maya Senecharles plays Heather Duke in the TheatreZone-FGCU collaboration on Heathers the Musical. Maya is currently working toward her B.A. in Theatre, with a minor in Music. Maya’s recent credits include Judy Turner in A Chorus Line and Petra Stockman in An Enemy of the People. Up next, Maya will be Assistant Directing alongside Dan Balcazo for Silent Sky.

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Kira Sonin-Dworkin reprises role of Dr. Scott in ‘Rocky Horror’

Kira Michelle Sonin-Dworkin reprises the role of Dr. Scott in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show (which she also played in 2022). Kira was last seen as Grandma Georgina in Willy Wonka at Fort Myers Theatre. Other favorite roles include Maurice in Disney’s Descendants, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Rizzo in Grease, Nikki in Sweet Charity, and The X Girlfriend and The Bride in Mario and Mary’s Wacky Italian Wedding live dinner theatre show.

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Stacy Stauffer goes undercover as Sally in ‘Drinking Habits’ at Belle Theatre

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

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Kagan Vann reprises the role of Rocky in ‘Rocky Horror’

Kagan Vann reprises the role of Rocky when The Rocky Horror Shows returns to Fort Myers Theatre. Besides Rocky in 2022, Kagan’s other credits include the role of Lumiere for Fort Myers Theater in Beauty and the Beast, Ferdinand in Lab Theater’s production of The Tempest (which marked his Lab Theater debut), deranged King Charlemagne in Pippin, Jafar in Aladdin and Shrek in Shrek the Musical.

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Tracy Weaver is Sister Philamena in ‘Drinking Habits’ at Belle Theatre

Originally from Pennsylvania, Tracy Weaver has performed at many community theater venues in Pennsylvania and Florida. Tracy next appears as Sister Philamena in Drinking Habits at The Belle Theatre. The actor/singer’s stage credits include Madame, Ella’s cruel and demeaning stepmother in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at The Belle Theatre and Rosemonde in Dangerous Liaisons. Go here for the rest of Tracy’s stage credits.

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2      DIRECTORS

Dana Alvarez co-directs ‘Mean Girls’ for Melody Lane Theatre

Dana Alvarez has been the Theatre Director of the Melody Lane Theatre Department since 2017. Dana has directed more than 35 major musicals, including three Disney pilot productions. Her most recent directorial projects include Les Miserables, Cats, Newsies the Musical, School of Rock, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Peter Pan. She is currently co-directing Mean Girls High School Edition. Dana holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from FGCU as well as certification in Drama, Grades 6-12. Read the rest of Dana’s extensive theatrical credits here.

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Amber Angeloro co-directs ‘Mean Girls’ for Melody Lane Theatre

Amber Angeloro is currently co-directing Mean Girls High School Edition for Melody Lane Theatre. On the directing side, Amber has directed dozens of major musical productions, including three Disney pilot productions. Some of her Amber’s favorite roles as a performer include Fagin in Oliver! and the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. Go here for more about Amber’s theatrical and other accomplishments.

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Sonya McCarter directs August Wilson’s ‘Radio Golf’ for Theatre Conspiracy

Sonya McCarter is an actor, director and instructor. She is directing Radio Golf for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance. Sonya’s other directing credits include Pass Over for Lab Theater, Dorothy Marcic’s SISTAS: the Musical, Fairview, The Color Purple, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, King Hedley II, Seven Guitars, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Lydia Diamond’s The Bluest Eye and George C. Wolff’s The Colored Museum. You will find the rest of Sonya’s theatrical credits here.

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3     ART SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS

Clyde Butcher exhibition at Arts Bonita

On view at both the Center for the Arts and the Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs through December 29 is AMERICA’S EVERGLADES: Through the Lens of Clyde Butcher.  This remarkable collaboration underscores the commitment of Clyde Butcher, Arts Bonita and local non-profit Captain for Clean Water to environmental conservation and preserving Florida’s precious water resources.

Clyde Butcher’s evocative photography captures the serene majesty of the Everglades, making it the perfect backdrop to shed light on the urgent need for water conservation efforts in Florida. Arts Bonita is proud to support this vital cause and hopes that the exhibition will not only inspire artistic appreciation, but also serve as a catalyst for environmental awareness and action. Through this collaboration, the voices of Clyde Butcher, Arts Bonita, and Captains for Clean Water unite in a harmonious call to preserve and safeguard the natural wonders that make Florida unique.

Arts Bonita and Captains for Clean Water have organized two special events on Wednesday, October 25, 2023: A VIP Champagne Reception (by invitation only) from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. and a public reception and book signing from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The VIP Champagne Reception is an exclusive invitation-only event, and it will offer a unique opportunity for select guests to engage with Clyde Butcher himself and gain insights into his artistic process. Later in the day, the public reception and book signing will allow art enthusiasts and the general public to meet the acclaimed photographer and have copies of his books personally signed.

Clyde Butcher is widely recognized for his extraordinary photography and has been aptly described as “the next Ansel Adams” by Popular Photography magazine. Not only is he an immensely talented artist, but he is also a devoted humanitarian, tirelessly working for the betterment of his community. His role as a respected conservationist has seen him use his art to bring crucial environmental issues to the forefront of public consciousness—facts that make this collaboration with Captains for Clean Water a perfect union!

Arts Bonita is committed to enriching the lives of the community by providing artistic expression, education, and appreciation opportunities. With two locations dedicated to the visual and performing arts (26100 Old 41 Road and 10150 Bonita Beach Road), visitors enjoy year-round programming including live concerts, theatre, comedy, film, lectures, and classes for artists of all ages and levels. Plus, Arts Bonita offers 3 art festivals in Downtown Bonita Springs each year in January, February, and March.

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DAAS exhibiting macrame art of Macramedelrey in November & December

During the months of November and December, DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts will exhibit the macrame art of social media star Reiniery Mariani, A.K.A. Macramedelrey.

Macrame is the art of creating handmade items through a process of decorative knots in a pattern. Macramedelrey learned the technique at a very young age from his Italian grandmother. Together, they’d make all sorts of macramé creations, from table runners to curtains.

“I instantly felt a connection with this art form, and it became a hobby that I really love and enjoy doing to this day,” says Mariani, who decided to follow his heart and turn his passion into a business that enables him to share his artwork with the world.

“I decided to call myself Macramedelrey [Macrame del Rey] for the simple fact that my nickname is Rey and I make macrame art,” the artist humorously adds. In fact, his fans affectionately refer to him as Macrame King, as his name, Rey, means king in Spanish and in recognition that he wears a macrame crown on his head in his social media posts.

During the COVID pandemic, Mariani found himself home and unemployed. It was then that he decided to spend time working on his art and posting on social media platforms. Little by little, he amassed a tremendous following and started receiving requests from customers all over the world. His popularity grew so much that he decided to open an online shop.

Some of his most popular items are plant hangers, curtains and flags. He uses a variety of knots to execute his masterpieces. The collection presented at DAAS Gallery consists of multiple styles and decorative-yet-functional pieces. Most importantly, the exhibition is another example of DAAS’ out-of-the-box approach – introducing new and exciting art forms to our Southwest Florida community.

There will be two opening receptions for this exhibition. The first will take place on Friday, November 3, and the other on Friday, December 1. Both will run from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. in conjunction with the monthly Fort Myers Art Walk events. The artist will be present during the events for a meet & greet.

A macrame workshop with Macramedelrey will also soon be announced by DAAS CO-OP. The information will be available at daascoop.com and the gallery’s social media pages.

The exhibition will be on display through December 31st, 2023.

DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts is located at 1815 Fowler Street in the Butterfly Estates complex in Fort Myers, FL. The gallery’s business hours are Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. More information about the venue and/or how to become a member can be found at daascoop.com or by calling 239-590-8645.

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