Happy New Year!

We trust that this message finds you well after the bustling holiday season, and that you are looking forward to the coming year.

In 2008 , the Alliance for the Arts resolves to say thank you more often to the supportive arts community we serve. We are proud to represent such a generous and talent pool of artists, organizations, and sponsors in Lee County.

Nominate an Angel

The 5th Annual Angels of the Arts Awards will recognize many businesses and individuals, and we invite you to nominate someone you've noticed making a difference in our arts community over the past year.

Nomination Forms are available online, at the Alliance, and by email request to awards@artinlee.org.
The award categories are: Artist: Lifetime Achievement, Literary Artist of the Year, Performance Artist of the Year, Visual Artist of the Year, “New” Artist of the Year, Arts Benefactor of the Year, Business Arts Sponsor of the Year, Young Artist of the Year, Arts Teacher of the Year, Arts Publication/Broadcast Series of the Year, Arts Journalist of the Year, Arts Volunteer of the Year, Arts Organization Leader of the Year, and Arts Organization of the Year.

Nominations are due to the Alliance for the Arts on or before February 2, 2008 by fax, email, or delivery.

The Angels of the Arts Awards will take place this year In the Fort Myers River District on Sunday, April 13, 2008. There will be a VIP Reception at 5PM at the Sidney and Berne Davis Arts Center and the Ceremony following at 6:30PM at Florida Repertory Theatre. Learn much more about Angels of the Arts on our website.

"Muse" Into 2008!

The Alliance for the Arts, through its Arts Coalition collaboration program for local art leaders, presents a unique opportunity for media, artists, and art lovers to “make artistic contact” with some of the groups contributing to the quality of life and economic development of our area in the Alliance for the Arts gallery.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM

You are welcome to attend this free event! We hope that this will be an opportunity for artists to meet directly with many organizations at once, and maybe find new outlets for their work. Below is a list of who will be there!

Call us for details, and ask for Kathleen: 239-939-2787 ext. 27

Alliance for the Arts
Art League of Fort Myers
Arts Estero
Arts for ACT Gallery
BIG Arts
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
Chamber Music Society of SW Florida
Compton and Bennett
Cultural Park Theater
Dance Bochette/Gulfcoast Dance
Davis Arts Center
First United Methodist Church (Shawn Holiday)
Florida Repertory Theatre
Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers
Gulf Coast Symphony/Synergy Productions
Jodick Productions
Pine Island Art Association
Schoolhouse Theater
Southwest Florida Craft Guild
Southwest Florida Symphony
Space 39
Young Artists Awards

A Unique Exhibition Opportunity

Learn more about Art in Flight An exciting Southwest Florida exhibition opportunity

You are invited to an artist reception

Thursday, January 24, 2008 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Southwest Florida International Airport, Mezzanine Level Conference Room

Come see the airport as a gallery, and learn how you can participate.

Check www.artinlee.org often for updates and call to artists details. Don't miss it!

Dragonfly sculptures above by artist Steven Swenor; who's work is currently hanging at SW Florida International Airport.

Keep watch at our website for more details to come, and your mailboxes, if you're a member for, the postcard reminder!

Featured Business Member

Bon Soiree: Events of Distinction

Our mission statement: You’d better want to have fun!

Since 1988, Bon Soiree has strived to help our clients embrace the fun side of life through party planning and event management. The world is complicated. You work hard, you pay your bills and keep your nose to the grindstone.

Personal and corporate events, weddings and parties of all types serve as an oasis in this complex world. They offer us an opportunity to shed that grindstone and enjoy the traditions and celebrations that make life worth living!

We will arouse every one of your senses to remind you that this is no ordinary day. This IS a celebration.

In the Gallery:

Transmissions: A Juried show all about Communication

The show is on display Friday November 30, 2007 - Wednesday January 9, 2008

Of the 125 pieces submitted, just the top 50 were selected!

40 artists are represented, and it's a great show. Just one more week to check it out! View a slide show to the left, and stop by to see the rest.

Here's a list of the artists featured in the show:

Sue Baker; Carmine Ballarino; Lynn Berreitter; Katherine Boren; Joseph Bukvic; Jerry Churchill; Victoria Crosby; Peg Cullen; Val Curry; Toni Ferrell; Ted Gadoury; Nicholas Grey; Jared Griffith; Scott Guelcher; Jeff Hernandez; Raymond Hernandez; Joan Kutch; Eunice Ison; Kyle Jackson; Sissi Janku; Leo Johnson; Stephen Johnson; Richard Lane; Julie Markytan; Dick Martin; Alice Mayeron; Matthew McLellan; John O’Brien; Renee Rey; Tina Marie Rider; Paul M. Rodino; Carol Rosenberg; Carl Schwartz; Roger Sherman; Joan Sonnenberg; Sandra Lee Talaga; Christina Thompson; Dale Weber; Florene M. Welebny; Emma Medina Wong; Barbara Yeomans

Coming soon!

The Alliance for the Arts and the The W. Stanley Hanson Foundation for Native American Studies proudly present

Florida's Seminole Indians:A Journey with the White Medicine Man

Exhibition Opening Friday, January 18, 2008 5:00PM to 7:00PM
Join Woody Hanson - Two Nights Only! for informative discussions about his Grandfather’s life and times with Florida’s Seminole Indians In the Foulds Theatre
Wednesday January 23, 2008 6:00PM
Wednesday February 27, 2008 6:00PM
This exhibit will be on display through February 29, 2008
Gallery hours are Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday 10:00AM - 3:00PM
Sponsored in part by Harvey A. Moore, Ph. D.

Read more about the "White Medicine Man" here, and see an astounding and culturally rich collection of Seminole Indian artifacts at the Alliance for the Arts this winter. The show opens on January 18th with a special reception from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and will be on display through February 29th.

The Season at the Foulds

The Last Five Years

Come see the Award-winning musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS at the Foulds Theatre

And, members of the Alliance receive $5 off any tickets they purchase!

Learn more here.

Performances run Wednesdays-Sundays, through January 27, 2008 at the Foulds Theatre at the Alliance for the Arts.

For more information visit www.synergyproductions.org

Tickets available online, by calling (800) 595-4TIX, or at the Foulds Theatre Box Office one hour prior to each performance.

For information call (239) 236-1645

The Chamber Music Society Presents

Monday, January 28 at 7:30 pm

Featuring Grammy-nominee Lori Laitman's "The Seed of Dream,"

Recipient of the Prestigious American Composers Forum Encore Award

One man's struggle with loss and finding the will to survive.

The Holocaust story of Avraham Sutzkever, poet.

Performed by:

Janelle McCoy, Mezzo-soprano

Members of The Russian Music Salon

Bella Gutstein, piano

William Goodwin, violin

Also featuring:

Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 2

Coming next month at the Foulds: Compton & Bennett Productions

Two hilarious, and delightfully unrestrained orignial musical comedies!
A Cracker at the Ritz
A Cracker at The Ritz on January 31, February 1, & 2 at 8PM

Sandy Bottoms and the Jimmie Buffet
7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23 at 8PM

Tickets are $25 each
Call 239-348-1405 or check out their website www.comptonandbennett.com

A simple way to support local arts

Become a member! For as little as $.14 a day, you can help support cultural development and economic success in Lee County! www.artinlee.org/beapart

Also, this year, when you renew your license plate registration, consider supporting the arts. $20.00 from each purchase of a “State of the Arts” plate in Lee County directly benefits the Alliance for the Arts which in turn uses the funding to support the arts in Lee County. You can also buy the arts plate at any time by simply visiting the local tag office. An arts plate costs $32.00 plus handling fees. A renewal form is available at the Alliance.

The Alliance for the Arts, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization, is the State Designated Arts Agency leading and serving Lee County Artists, Art Organizations, and our Community. We are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, The National Endowment for the Arts, the Lee County Board of Commissioners and the City of Fort Myers.