Month: September 2015

The Acoustic Music Society of Southwest Florida presents three hours of bluegrass music in the theatre at the Alliance for the Arts on Sunday, October 11 at 2:00PM. This month’s show features Bob & Lucia, Banyan Bluegrass, and Highway 41. 

Tickets are $8 at the door, or $6 for Alliance members. Seating is open and first come, first serve.  Children 12 and under are free if accompanied by an adult. Pre-sale tickets are not available. Doors open at 1:30PM. The Sunday afternoon concert series continues every month throughout the 2015-16 Season. The November concert features Grammy Award winners Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick from San Francisco. Visit ArtInLee.org or call 239-939-2787 for more information. To learn more about the Acoustic Music Society of Southwest Florida visit www.Palmgrass.org.

For its October Juried Exhibition Mechanical, the Alliance for the Arts asked artists to create new works “Operated or produced by a mechanism or machine which relate to, are produced by, or dominated by physical forces.” This simple definition provides a basis for submissions under a central theme while leaving a large amount of room for interpretation. What constitutes a machine, and what forces will be imposed upon them?

Mechanical opens with a reception on Friday, October 2 from 5-7PM. Awards will be announced for Best in Show with a prize of $100, 2nd Place winning $75, and 3rd Place winning $50. The exhibit will be on display from October 2 through October 31. Juror Jonas Stirner will host a gallery walk and talk on October 3 at 10 am. On display in the Member Gallery will be art by Katherine Boren. The Theatre Lobby will display art by Mahrea Cramer Lehman.

Featuring Works by:

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Amy Matsumoto Urich
Andy Getch
Buck Ward
Carol Schmidt
Carolyn McGahey
Cheryl Fausel
Cindy Mecca
Dale Weber
David Hatchett
Del Holt
Guy Tieman
Jay Lana
Joan Benner
John Hutson
Kellen Beck Mills

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KiKi Brewsaugh
Krista Johnson
Leo Johnson
Lily Hatchett
Louis Ford
Marilyn Graham
Mark Holman
Mark Poucher
Mark Wlaz
Mike Kiniry
Patricia Esposito
Patrick Conolly
Richard Evans
Samuel Sewall
Scott Parker

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Mechanical juror Jonas Stirner is a third generation metal artist. His father, a metal sculptor was an Art Professor at Moore and Tyler College. They often work together critiquing each other’s work. Jonas’s father was recently honored by having a park named after him, the “Karl Stirner Arts Trail” in Easton Pa. The work of Jonas Stirner defies logic, inspires change and accomplishes resolution.
Jonas worked directly with Robert Rauschenberg as an Artist Assistant for fifteen years on Captiva Island. During that time, Jonas had the opportunity to create his own sculpture on the grounds of Rauschenberg’s compound. Rauschenberg himself became a major collector of Jonas’s work and today the collection is maintained by the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. http://www.jonasstirner.com/

The Lee County Bar Association’s (LCBA) Fifth Annual Charity Golf Tournament, sponsored by Roetzel & Andress, was an enormous success. On September 18th, the LCBA presented a check for $20,500 to benefit the Alliance for the Arts’ Youth Scholarships and ArtReach educational programming.

“The arts are a critical necessity in our society, not a luxury. As Bar President, I feel that helping children acquire arts knowledge and hands-on theatrical experiences is a significant contribution to cultivating the next generation of leaders,” said LCBA President and arts supporter, Anne Dalton, Esq.

The Alliance for the Arts is the county’s local arts nonprofit dedicated to infusing the community with arts programming through a diverse, innovative and balanced program of performances, events, community building and educational projects that reaches the widest possible audience. The Alliance’s ARTreach program offers people of all ages and economic levels the opportunity to participate in artistic and cultural endeavors, mentorship opportunities, and provides a healthy and safe environment. Engaging the arts is proven to increase self-esteem and enhance quality of life.

“We are honored to be the beneficiary of the LCBA’s annual golf tournament. The funds they raised will be an enormous help in our mission to bring the arts to children who might not otherwise have the chance. We truly believe in the arts and can’t thank the LCBA enough for believing in our mission.” said Alliance Executive Director, Lydia Black.
Established in 1949, the Lee County Bar Association was formed as a voluntary organization of attorneys living and working in Lee County, Florida. Since its founding, the membership has grown to nearly 800, and includes attorneys in adjacent counties whose clients have business and court issues in Lee County. The purpose of the organization is to further the education of its members, create meaningful interaction among its members, and to inform the community on important legal matters. Learn more about www.leebar.org.