Dislandys Acosta Bravo and Rich Bravo

On Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, the Alliance for the Arts welcomed more than 300 artists, arts supporters, beer lovers and cultural philanthropists to its Arts On Tap Fundraiser. Arts On Tap, now in its second year, is a taste of creativity in the Alliance gallery featuring the craft of local brewers.

Pierce Augustenborg, Lexi Augustenborg, Lee Golden, Michelle Golden, Sara Fitzpatrick, W. Jeffrey Mudgett
Dean Piccirillo and Cantrella Canady

The event rasied over $40,000. All funds directly support the Alliance’s mission to transform lives and improve our community through the arts. Since 1975, the Alliance’s year-round schedule of events have become a staple for the community through engaging gallery exhibitions, inspiring art classes from fine art life drawing to the art of beer-making and stimulating theatre productions that range from the classics to the cutting edge. Proceeds support a creative hub that spurs and supports self-expression, access and equity, imagination and individuality by connecting our community through the arts.

Partygoers enjoyed spectacular live entertainment from musician Matty Jollie as well as unlimited tastings from participating breweries and restaurants, the Dia de los Muertos Juried Exhibit, twisted pub games, a silent auction and a raffle.

Tim, Brooke and Jordan of Point Ybel Brewing Company

Participating crafters include Big Blue Brewing, Bury Me Brewing, Coastal Dayz Brewery, Eight Foot Brewing, Fort Myers Brewing Company, Momentum Brewhouse, Palm City Brewing, Point Ybel Brewing Company and Scotty’s Bierwerks and culinary creations from Cristof’s, Judi Mae Cookies, Pretzel Crips, Smallcakes Fort Myers and University Grill.
The event is sponsored by Briers CPA, Custom Packaging and Products , The Dorcey Law Firm, EnSite, GMA Architects & Planners, HBKS Wealth Advisors, Priority Business Solutions, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank and Seminole Casino Hotel.

Southwest Florida poets are invited to share their original work at an open mic night on Oct. 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33919. The event is designed to bring together different generations, styles and approaches to poetry as poets share their work against a vibrant backdrop of local art during the Dia de los Muertos: Juried Exhibit.

The event is free and open to poets of all ages and to those who simply enjoy soaking up spoken word, but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged to keep Alliance programming affordable and accessible. An additional Poetry Open Mic Night will be held on Feb. 12, 2019.

For more information, visit ArtInLee.org/OctoberOpenMic or call 239-939-2787.

Local artists from all around southwest Florida sand beyond submitted more than 120 pieces for consideration in the Alliance for the Arts’ Dia de los Muertos Exhibition. After consideration from the juror, 72 pieces were unveiled to the public during an opening celebration on October 5 featuring  face painting from Krafty Kate’s Face Painting Kreations LLC, interactive art projects, flower crowns and arrangements with Alice’s Table-Southwest Florida, tequila tasting and light refreshments. The exhibit will continue through November 3 at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33919.

Jay Lana was awarded $250 for Best in Show for his paper mache piece, “From Mictlan.” Richard Bravo won a $125 Golden Colors Gift Certificate for his 2nd place acrylic work, “Afro Americana” Rachelli Linz won $75 for 3rd place for her oil painting, “Pour Vida.” Bruce Mackechnie and Luciano DeAndrade were awarded honorable mentions.

“We’re so proud to be exhibiting this show,” says exhibitions coordinator Krista Johnson. “The submissions truly showcase the beauty and vitality of the Dia de los Muertos holiday.”

Full list of exhibiting artists include: Cesar Aguilera, Taylor Anslinger, Elisabeth Arena, Jayne Baker, Mary Barbato, Kyra Belan, Patrick Benjamin, Bonnie Bohn, Richard Bravo, Donna Chase, Steve Conley, Ashley Craig, Luciano DeAndrade, Sean Donovan, Diane Dowthitt, Diane Chernow, Lisa Duritsch, Paula Eckerty, Cheryl Fausel, Estefani Figueredo, Marilyn Frank, Anne Friedman, Janet George, Carolyn Gora, Dom-O-Nick (a.k.a. Bernard) Gorniak, David Hammel, Jacqueline (Buffy) Izzo, Krista Johnson, Leo Johnson, Jay Lana, Claude Lyles, Raschelli Linz, Doug MacGregor, Bruce MacKechnie, Nance Marsden, Jasmine Martinson, Julie Obney, Jeff and Dale Ocasio, Sue Osin, Margaret Paul, Charles Pompilius, Gregory Presley, Sharon Rodgers, Mary Beth Scott, Terry Lynn Spry, Spyter Marie, Alyssa Stoff, Lisa Tracy, Pam Trent, Africa Valdez, Mallory Vanderpool, Pamela Volz, Susan Schafer Walker, Shirley Wendt, Susan Wingenroth, Barbara Yeomans, Hollly Zammerilla, Peter Zell

For more information, call 239-939-2787 or visit www.ArtInLee.org.

The Alliance for the Arts is teaming up with Coastal Dayz Brewery as Alliance Executive Director, Lydia A. Black, serves as guest bartender on Thursday, Oct. 4 from 6 – 8 p.m. at 2161 McGregor Boulevard Fort Myers, FL 33901. All tips from the evening will be donated to the Alliance for the Arts, a nonprofit community visual and performing arts center whose mission is to transform lives and improve the community through the arts.

“We are excited to partner with Fort Myers’ newest local brewery to support our local arts and craft beers,” says executive director Lydia A. Black. “Brewing beer is a form of creative and artistic expression. We see this as a chance to connect artisans with the amazing people who support them and show love to our talented local makers.”

The event comes alongside the announcement of the Alliance for the Arts second annual Arts On Tap Fundraiser on Oct. 20. Now in its second year, Arts On Tap is a taste of creativity in the Alliance gallery featuring the craft of local brewers including Coastal Dayz. Additional crafters include Big Blue Brewing, Bury Me Brewing Co., Eight-Foot Brewing, Fort Myers Brewing Company, Momentum Brewhouse, Palm City Brewing, Point Ybel Brewing Company and Scotty’s Bierwerks.

Who: Lydia Black, Executive Director of Alliance for the Arts
When:
Thursday, Oct. 4 from 6 – 8 p.m.
Where:
Coastal Dayz Brewery, 2161 McGregor Boulevard Fort Myers, FL 33901

The Alliance for the Arts invites the public to its opening reception for Dia de los Muertos: A Juried Exhibit on Oct. 5. from 5 – 7 p.m. The free event features local and regional artists, face painting, interactive art projects, flower crowns, tequila tasting and light refreshments. The show exhibits from Oct. 5 through Nov. 3 at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL.

In many parts of Mexico, South America and the United States, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time to remember and celebrate the lives of friends and family. More about reveling life than remembering death, this unique day encourages us to connect with loved ones while reflecting on the ties that bind the past to present.

“Community participation is a powerful part of this holiday,” says exhibitions coordinator Krista Johnson. “That’s why we’ve called on local artists to contribute to this lively and fun exhibit.”

All artworks must be submitted online no later than Sept. 20. Artists should create pieces that showcase traditional Mexican sugar skulls merged with the artist’s aesthetic. Categories are sculpture, painting (including oil, acrylic, collage, watercolor and mixed media), photography, prints and drawings. To download the prospectus or submit artwork, visit ArtInLee.org/SugarSkulls.

Receptions are open to the public and do not require tickets or reservations. While gallery admission is free, a $5 suggested donation keeps Alliance programming affordable and accessible.

For more information about this exhibit, visit ArtInLee.org/SugarSkulls or call 239-939-2787.