Author: boost

On Friday, July 11 an exhibit will open at the Alliance for the Arts that is far more than a collection of photographs taken by Fort Myers native David White during his 9 years living and teaching in Jakarta, Indonesia. “Majestic Places / Majestic Faces” includes 300 photographs and maps strung together in an installation representing a walkthrough scrapbook. White grew up in Fort Myers but has lived abroad since 1999. He says he wants to give his family, friends and hometown community a glimpse into the diverse destinations and peoples that have enriched his life while living in Jakarta. “Majestic Places / Majestic Faces” features the cultural and natural beauty of Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.

“I am blessed to live and learn overseas. I hope to foster understanding between my Eastern and Western worlds through sharing moments of the truly, majestic places and faces of South East Asia. My intent, as always, is to seek and share positive, compassionate connections in all my worlds and with all peoples.  It is an honor to be shown at the Alliance for the Arts.  I look forward to seeing how the installation impacts my friends and the Lee County community. If a picture truly speaks a thousand words … imagine what 300 can say?”

The “Majestic Places / Majestic Faces” opening reception is from 5:30 to 7:30 on Friday, July 11. White will host a Gallery Walk on Saturday, July 12 from 10-11AM. It’s free and open to the public. The exhibit goes on display on Thursday, July 3 and remains on display until Friday, August 1.

The Alliance for the Arts will present its fall fundraising extravaganza, “aMUSEd” on Saturday, September 27. Guests will be treated to an evening filled with music, interactive art, amusing diversions and wandering muses. Fine tapas will be provided by Southwest Florida’s best chefs. Come explore, nurture & liberate your inner muse during this unique art party. This provocative and highly interactive evening begins at 7PM. Tickets are $100 and are available online at ArtInLee.org or onsite at the Alliance. Event proceeds will benefit educational and outreach programs.

The evening is proudly sponsored by Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC), the Betty Bireley Foundation and Investor’s Security Trust, with media support from Florida Weekly, TOTI Media, Inc., Happenings Magazine and WGCU Public Media. The aMUSEd culinary sponsors include Crave Culinaire, the Prawnbroker Restaurant Group and Gloria’s La Trattoria Cafe Napoli. Additional support provided by FineMark National Bank & Trust. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Click HERE for more information or call 239-939-2787.

During the month of May the Alliance for the Arts has featured the first ever dedicated gallery show including work by members of what’s called the Movement of Aleatoric Modern Artists, or MAMA. The Aleatoric Art in the 21st Century exhibit includes works in a variety of disciplines, all with one thing in common—their collaboration with nature, chance and the laws that govern the universe. The show was curated by Fort Myers aleatoric artist Veron Ennis. She will hold a Closing Gallery Talk on Friday, May 23 at 5PM. It’s free and open to the public. Immediately following Ennis’s Curator Talk the conversation will continue in the Art Loft in the Edward’s Building next door for the bi-monthly Artist Talk event. All are welcome. The Art Loft is a new art destination that includes The Union Artist Studios, Veron Ennis’s studio and gallery VEMA, and David Acevedo and Xavier Brignoni’s gallery Room 205.

Aleatoric Art in the 21st Century remains on display until 1PM on Saturday, May 24. The 28th Annual All Florida Juried Exhibit opens with a reception from 5-7:30PM on Friday, May 30.

The Alliance for the Arts’ monthly Member Gallery Book Club continues on Tuesday, May 20 from 7-9PM with a discussion of The Lost Painting by Jonathan Harr. The Member Book Club is an exploration of literature relating to artists, art history and art appreciation. It’s one of the many benefits of membership at the Alliance for the Arts.

In The Lost Painting prizewinning author Jonathan Harr embarks on an spellbinding journey to discover the long-lost painting known as The Taking of Christ, its mysterious fate and the circumstances of its disappearance have captivated Caravaggio devotees for years. After Francesca Cappelletti stumbles across a clue in that dusty archive, she tracks the painting across a continent and hundreds of years of history. But it is not until she meets Sergio Benedetti, an art restorer working in Ireland that she finally manages to assemble all the pieces of the puzzle.

Told with consummate skill by the writer of the bestselling, award-winning A Civil Action, The Lost Painting is a remarkable synthesis of history and detective story. The fascinating details of Caravaggio’s strange, turbulent career and the astonishing beauty of his work come to life in these pages. Harr’s account is not unlike a Caravaggio painting: vivid, deftly wrought, and enthralling.

The Member Gallery Book Club meets on the third Tuesday of every month. Club members must purchase their own copy of each book and pre-registration is encouraged. An active Alliance membership is required.

Alliance individual memberships are $50 per year, families can join for $75 per year and college students can become a member for just $15. Membership benefits include 20% discounts on all classes & camps, FREE class Try It sessions and open studio sessions, discounts on concert and theatre tickets and special exhibition opportunities. Click HERE to become a member now!

The next session of the popular “Toddler Time” early arts exposure class begins on Tuesday, April 29 from 9-10:30AM at the Alliance for the Arts. Children ages 18 months to 3 years will be treated to 3 sessions of creative art, music, story and playtime with Alliance youth instructor and Mini Michelangelos Summer Camp director Ms. Sue Hansen!  Kids will explore, get messy (without you having to clean up!) and learn how different art media work. (Adult accompaniment is required.) This class offers sensory based learning combined with socialization and fun! Each session will also include a time for group music, story time, and play. Toddler Time is $30 for Alliance members or $40 for non-members. Click HERE to register online now.