Year: 2019

The Alliance for the Arts’ September exhibition, The Shape of Things: Carve Stone & Pat Zalisko, will exhibit from Sept. 6 through Sept. 28 with an opening reception on Sept. 6 from 5 – 7 p.m. at 10091 McGregor Blvd. This thought-provoking exhibition features contemporary art forms from intricate, color rich collages and acrylic paintings to graceful carved marble sculpture and silhouettes.

The opening reception will be Sept. 6 from 5 – 7 p.m. The evening will feature light refreshments, beer tastings from Eight Foot Brewing and the kick-off of the Alliance’s 19-20 Season. The event is free to attend, but an RSVP is requested online at www.ArtInLee.org/Shape.

Meet and engage with exhibiting artists Carve Stone and Pat Zalisko during a conversational tour through the gallery on Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. during the Alliance for the Arts weekly GreenMarket.

HomeGrown and Art Lives Here will be on display in the member galleries during the month of September. The HomeGrown Exhibit features works from The Union Artist Studios. The Art Lives Here Exhibit showcases all nine original paintings that are featured on billboards throughout Lee County. The Art Lives Here Campaign is made possible by Alliance season sponsor, Carter-Pritchett Advertising.

While the gallery admission is free, a $5 suggested donation keeps Alliance programming affordable and accessible.

The Shape of Things is sponsored in part by Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz.

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

The Alliance for the Arts is excited to announce the return of its annual fundraiser Arts On Tap on Saturday, Nov. 9 on the Alliance campus at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33919 from 7 – 10 p.m. Now in its third year, Arts On Tap is a taste of creativity in the Alliance gallery featuring the craft of local brewers and hand-selected wines benefiting the Alliance for the Arts.

This year includes tasty treats from culinary favorites The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen, Downtown House of Pizza, Kings Kitchen and The Standard, with more to be announced.

Participating crafters include Big Blue Brewing, Bury Me Brewing, Coastal Dayz Brewery, Eight Foot Brewing, Millennial Brewing Company, Momentum Brewhouse, Naples Beach Brewery, Palm City Brewing, and  Point Ybel Brewing Company. For one night only, guests can delight their senses with locally-handcrafted beers, hand-selected wines and culinary creations in our vibrant gallery. The evening will also feature an exclusive new brew born from a creative collaboration between the Alliance and the award-winning brewmasters at Momentum Brewhouse.

“Arts On Tap is the chance to explore the Alliance after dark and experience your not-so-typical fundraiser,” says development and marketing director Jessica Wisdom.  “As our local art scene and craft beer scene has grown, so has Arts On Tap. The evening is all about celebrating local artists, artisans and businesses redefining southwest Florida.”

Last year, Arts On Tap attracted 200 guests and raised over $40,000. Tickets are $100 and include unlimited tastings from participating breweries, culinary creations, gallery admission, music, a silent auction and games. Arts On Tap is for ages 21 and older. A state-issued form of I.D. is required.

Arts On Tap is a fundraising event for the Alliance for the Arts, a nonprofit visual and performing arts center located in the heart of Fort Myers. Since 1975, the Alliance has been transforming lives and improving our community through the arts. Event proceeds support a creative hub that spurs self-expression, imagination and individuality.

The event is sponsored by Briers CPA, Custom Packaging and Products , Dorcey Law Firm, EnSite, GMA Architects & Planner, Owen-Ames-Kimball Company, Priority Business Solutions, Megan & Jon Romine Seminole Casino Hotel and Winged Foot Title. Sponsorships and visibility opportunities are also available at ArtInLee.org/OnTap.

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

Say hello to Sam and Mike! When volunteering at the Alliance, this energetic couple has worn many hats.

How did you become involved with the Alliance?

Sam: We wandered by one day and were curious about what was inside and went into the gallery. We found an energetic and stimulating place displaying unique art in three galleries, a gift shop filled with one-of-a-kind items made by local artists, a theatre with a live program scheduled that evening, and a warm, friendly and enthusiastic volunteer at the front desk. Alliance staff and members are creative and smart and fun to be around. We keep coming back.

What is your favorite part about volunteering at the Alliance?

Mike: The people and the creative atmosphere

 Why did you choose to become a volunteer at the Alliance?

Sam: The Alliance has a variety of programs and events and numerous volunteer opportunities for every possible interest. Frequently a volunteer opportunity includes free admittance to an event. I’ve been a bartender, usher, ticket taker, payment processor, researcher, Alliance representative at off-site events, off-site survey taker, administrative assistant, and my personal favorite – greeter on Monday mornings for Summer Arts Camp. Over the past 7 years it has been gratifying to help the Alliance go from paper-based registration processing to all digital processing for camps, classes and events.

What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen?

Sam: It’s impossible to decide between Lake Tahoe, Rio de Janeiro, and Interlaken I’m lucky enough to have visited many beautiful places.
Mike: I couldn’t decide between Annecy and Portofino

If you had intro music, what song would it be? Why?

Sam: “If you are going to San Francisco be sure to wear some flowers in your hair….” Lovely song, lovely city.

What would the title of your memoir be?

Mike: “I tried to do it right!”

Alliance Favorites!

“I can’t leave the Green Market without buying…”

Sam & Mike: Tomatoes

“The play’s the thing” and my favorite Alliance play production is:

Sam: Grounded by George Brant’

Mike: Youth Theatre’s Into the Woods production.

 “If you want to buy me a gift, choose work from this local Alliance member artist:

Sam: Alicia Schmidt

Mike: Krista Johnson

Meet members Sue and Isaac Osin! You might recognize Isacc’s pour from exhibition openings or perhaps Sue during a Member Artist Open Studio on Friday morning. Get to know the couple by learning how they got involved with the Alliance and what they can’t leave the GreenMarket without.

How did you become involved with the Alliance?

Sue – Through the second person I met after moving to Ft. Myers. She realized I really needed lessons in painting and letting my imagination go.  It was a trauma at first but I love it.

Isaac – My wife got me involved with her paintings and our neighbor Krista suggested I serve as bartender at the opening receptions and it’s been a labor of love ever since.

What is your favorite part about being a member of the Alliance?

Sue – Being able to paint in a non-judgmental setting with warm and wonderful people, with lots of sunlight.

Isaac – Being inspired by all the creative artists attending the opening receptions.

Favorite Author, playwright or movie:

Sue – Philip Kerr.  I am a WWI – WWII history buff and his novels recreate this time period in Germany and Europe – with political and detective drama.

Isaac – E = mc2 A Biography of the World’s Most Famous Equation by David Bodanis

What’s the most beautiful place you’ve seen?

Sue – Western Province of Cuba. Besides being beautiful it brings one back in time of horse-drawn carts and clean air.

Isaac – Driving through the great expanse of white snow at nightfall in Norway, then seeing a glare of light transforming into the northern lights throughout the skies!

“I can’t leave the Green Market without buying?”

Sue-honey

Isaac-Organic seedlings

“The play’s the thing” and my favorite Alliance play production is: 

Sue – Gidion’s Knot by Johnna Adams

Isaac – August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

If you want to buy me a gift choose a work from this local Alliance member:

Sue – Gordon Warren

Isaac – Bonnie Bohn

The Alliance for the Arts is seeking artists to submit their work to Dia de lost Muertos: A Juried Exhibit, coming in October. 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. The exhibit is back by popular demand and runs from Oct. 4 through Nov. 2 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.

The show’s opening reception is Oct. 5 from 5-7 p.m. with awards at 6 p.m. Opening receptions are free and open to the public and feature light refreshments. There will be a $250 prize for Best in Show, $125 for 2nd place and $75 for 3rd place.

A high-traffic month for the Alliance, this exhibit will be up during Pride, Italian Fest, Rocky Horror and other events. Artists may submit up to 3 artworks for consideration. All entries must be submitted online no later than Sept. 20. To download the prospectus or submit artwork, visit ArtInLee.org/SugarSkulls.

Receptions and gallery talks 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.