The City of Cape Coral welcomes local artists to participate in a public art project in South Cape’s Entertainment District.
The City’s Community Redevelopment Agency invites artists to submit designs for potential selection in the Concrete Enclosure Public Art Project, aimed at enhancing the aesthetic of the entertainment district along Southeast 47th Terrace by showcasing permanently fixed art on concrete enclosures in Big John Plaza.
Ideal artwork will depict a funky and eclectic use of mixed media materials and colors that exemplify the South Cape’s quirky and relaxed atmosphere. Themes can include nightlife atmosphere, natural environment, abstract and non-representational art. Artwork will be selected based on artistic excellence, innovation, concept, and cultural connection to the community.
Artwork must be submitted online by 12 a.m. MST, Sunday, April 2. Artists must live in Lee County, be at least 18, and adhere to all project guidelines.
For more general questions, please contact Samantha Ellis, Cape Coral Art Center, at 239-242-3803 or saellis@capecoral.gov.
The Annual Holly Daze Fine Art Sale is taking place now through December 17 at the Cape Coral Art Center.
Treat yourself and loved ones with unique and creative items you won’t find anywhere else.
Located in the Side Gallery (Building 2) the shop is filled with beautifully crafted works of art by local students, instructors and community members. Items for sale include jewelry, ceramics, paintings, glass décor and fiber art.
The Art Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is located at 4533 Coronado Pkwy in Rubicon Park.
Stay in the know, like “Cape Coral Art Center” on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. The Art Center is owned and operated by the City of Cape Coral.
For more information, please visit the Art Center, e-mail artcenter@capecoral.gov or call 239.574.0802.
The Alliance for the Arts is thrilled to announce the participating artists ofArt Lives Here. The campaign transforms billboard space throughout Lee County into public art. It is made possible by Alliance season sponsor Carter Outdoor.
Of the submitted works, the Art Lives Here committee juried in local artists Tania Alves, Bruce MacKechnie, Doug Smithwick, Khaysie Tiburcio and Susi Wingenroth.
The project, now in its third year, aims to bring artwork outside of the traditional context of museum and gallery walls, bringing attention to emerging artists’ work and making the arts accessible to all.
I am inspired by the challenge of translating a composition created with mouse clicks into the physical world of paint strokes.
As subject matter, I am interested in how pure abstraction is so wide open to interpretation. For this reason, I enjoy playing around with shapes, colors, and compositions to see what comes out of the process—especially surprises and unforeseen meanings.
The billboard piece ended up having an exuberance and rhythm that seemed to express some sort of lively, joyful dance, hence the title, “Fandiggity Fandango.”
Frame of Reference 1 by Susi Wingenroth
This painting shows the morning sun radiating through the cypress trees in the wild heart of the wetlands.
It is intended as a call to those who see it to enjoy, care for and preserve these wild places.
When we look up from our busy lives and notice our home, beautiful living planet Earth, we see a frame of reference for making healthier choices to preserve the planet for all living beings and for future generations.
Sun Is Out by Doug Smithwick
This painting is reminiscent of happy times, like summertime in Norfolk, Virginia where I grew up.
My family used to take us to Ocean View Amusement Park just about every weekend. I’ll never forget the colors, the great rollercoaster, Ferris wheel and merry go round. I can still smell the cotton candy.
The 1950s were the happiest times in U.S history. World War Two had just ended and our economy was bouncing back. However, winters were grey and cold. We all went to Disneyworld during the winter when it first opened. No grey skies there! I was sold on Florida. I moved here in the 80’s and never regretted the decision.”
Blue Magic by Tania Alves
I’m often inspired by a color combination and my emotions.
I love the freedom of allowing the art appear as I mix the colors on the canvas.
I’m repeatedly surprised of where we end, the final work on the canvas and how my heart is full.
Art Within Their Souls by Khaysie Tiburcio
I wanted to create a piece that represented the impact that art has on the painter.
This artwork includes portraits of Basquiat, Picasso, and Andy Warhol, morphing into their masterpieces.
This is used as a metaphor to express how art becomes a part of the artist.
About Alliance for the Arts
The Alliance for the Arts is a nonprofit community visual and performing arts center located in the heart of Fort Myers, Florida. Since 1975, the Alliance has been committed to transforming lives and improving community through the arts.
For more information, please call 239-939-2787, visit us at www.ArtInLee.org, find us on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/ArtInLee.org), Instagram (@AlliancefortheArts) or follow us on Twitter (@ArtInLee).
For those who are disappointed that the Cape Coral Art Festival is not happening this year, this should interest you!
Promenade at Bonita Bay (26795 S. Bay Drive) is preparing its open-air shopping center for a series of outdoor events through mid-March. First on the agenda is Bonita Springs Art Walk on Saturday, January 16th from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday, January 17th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Brought to the public by Boulderbrook Productions — a Naples-based gallery that produces art-juried events throughout the U.S. — this event is an opportunity for visitors to view a variety of works from local and out-of-area artists.
As guests stroll the pathways and walkways of the Promenade, they can meet each artist, while learning more about each work’s inspiration and purpose and having ample time to discover what they like. Displays include paintings, jewelry, sculptures and much more — all in a creative, unique and easy-to-navigate layout.
“We’re calling on Southwest Florida to experience never-ending culture and the great outdoors, as we continue to celebrate the promising year that’s in front of us,” said Nicole Panio, Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator at the Promenade.
“My team looks forward to this event and others like it in the coming months.”
In accordance with the Promenade’s COVID policies, Bonita Springs Art Walk will promote social distancing for the comfort and safety of all guests.
For more information, call the Promenade at (239) 949-1573 or visit PromenadeShops.com. Details are also available on Facebook.
Florida Repertory Theatre will postpone its 2020-2021 Season for one calendar year. Announced in February, the nine-show professional season includes plays, musicals, and new works in the theatre’s two downtown Fort Myers venues, the Historic Arcade and ArtStage Studio Theatres.
In a statement to current season ticket holders on Tuesday, Artistic Director Greg Longenhagen said, “along with my team, I spent the summer weighing various options and have come to the tough, but necessary, decision to postpone the 2020-2021 Season. Rather than adapt the professional season to the changing times, we will move every production to the following year, 2021-2022.”
The box office staff is working to move existing reservations to the new season automatically, and customers will receive an updated order confirmation in the days following the announcement. Subscribers do not need to take any action if they do not wish to change their new order. Patrons wishing to make changes or discuss options for their household may call or email the box office at (239) 332-4488 or BoxOffice@FloridaRep.org.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding gatherings and public health, the theatre did not open sales for single tickets in July, as scheduled. New patrons can make reservations now for the 2021-2022 Season, and new blocks of tickets will go on sale later this fall. The decision to postpone the season and produce the same productions in the following year gives patrons more time than ever to secure seats for the professional subscription series productions now scheduled for September 2021 through May 2022.
Current subscribers also have the option to turn their 2021-2022 subscription into a tax-deductible donation to the theatre. Since closing its doors to the public in March, the theatre has sustained significant losses and laid off a number of staff members.
Longenhagen continued, “the best thing our season ticket holders can do to help us now is to leave their subscription dollars with us – either by rolling the reservation over to the 2021-2022 Season or by converting it to a tax-deductible donation. Anything you can do will help the theatre immeasurably as we navigate these difficult times. No matter what works best for your household, your generosity goes a long way.”
Postponing its professional season doesn’t mean Florida Rep won’t produce a 2020-2021 Season. In his statement to subscribers, Longenhagen said, “just because we can’t gather, doesn’t mean we’ll be silent!”
The theatre’s staff is busy planning a robust 2020-2021 Season that blends virtual content with the magic of live theatre – and is hopeful for a return to its stages in early 2021 as soon as it is safe for audiences and artists. Florida Rep is exploring every option available, from enhancing digital content to possible outdoor venues that will allow patrons to share in-person performances safely.
The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, iHeartMedia and Cat Country 107.1 welcome Clint Daniels to the Songs from the Sofa virtual concert series. The Instagram live event, hosted by DJ Mike Tyler from Cat County 107.1, will feature Daniels’s music, interviews and stories behind the songs.
Songs from the Sofa debuted in May with music sensation Sam James. The monthly live performances have included Jay Allen, Maia Sharp and Dave Pahanish. All performances are archived on the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest Instagram page.
Clint Daniels is a BMI singer-songwriter and Island Hopper veteran, and a native Floridian. Daniels has co-written songs for dozen of country artists, including Eric Church’s 2019 No. 1 hit “Some of It,” Jon Pardi’s “She Ain’t In It,” “Brokenheartsville” by Joe Nichols, “Ready For The End Of The World” by George Strait and “Roll With Me” by Montgomery Gentry, as well as Brooks & Dunn’s 2008 “God Must Be Busy,” Josh Thompson’s “Cold Beer With Your Name On It” and Easton Corbin’s “I Can’t Love You Back.” Watch him perform at 8 p.m. (EDT) Thursday, Sept. 17 on the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest Instagram page.
Celebrate with one of the singer-songwriters who will perform at Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, Sept. 17-22, 2021, on Captiva Island, historic downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach. For now, on the third Thursday of every month, Songs from the Sofa should provide an exciting way to experience a quality performance in your own home.
Island Hopper is produced by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, iHeartMedia, Cat Country 107.1 and BMI, the largest music rights organization in the U.S. Visit IslandHopperFest.com or access the media tool kit. Follow the festival hashtag #islandhopperfest as well as the event’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter feeds.
