Desiree DeMolina, Author at Alliance for the Arts

The Alliance for the Arts is seeking artists to submit their work to Your Best Shot: A Juried Exhibit. The exhibit is dedicated to photographers and photography and is sponsored by GMA Architects. The show’s opening reception is October 6 from 5 – 7 p.m.

This year’s juror is Steve Chase. Steve holds degrees in both Fine Art Photography and Motion Pictures. Prior to teaching at Florida Southwestern State College he was one of the founding faculty members of the Undergraduate Program of the School of Motion Pictures Arts at Florida State University, where he served as a full time faculty member from 1990 – 2004. In 1997 he won Florida State University’s highly coveted T.I.P. award for excellence in college teaching. In 2002 he was nominated for a university teaching award and in 2004 he was recognized for his distinguished contribution to the success of the Film School.

His photography has been exhibited throughout the state and nationally. His films have been screened at festivals nationally and internationally. Steve is a recipient of a Florida Individual Artist Fellowship – 1992. Chase has taught Fine Art Photography at FSW since 2008.

There will be a gallery walk with the artists and juror October 14 at 6 p.m. during SoCo Second Saturday Art Crawl. There will be a $300 award for Best in Show, $125 for 2nd place, and $75 for 3rd place.

The Alliance for the Arts received a donation from Elsa (age 6), Ava (age 8) and Conrad Schultz (age 2) Lemonade and Dessert Stand. The Schultz are the great, great grandchildren of Dorothy and Paul Schultz, who donated the property (and their home which use to sit on it) to Alliance years ago.

Elsa, Ava and Conrad baked dozens of sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, brownies, and cupcakes, and offered them for sale, along with 2 types of lemonade. The siblings donated the money towards children’s programming at the Alliance.

The Alliance for the Arts and The League of Women Voters of Lee County invite the public to participate in a candidate forum for individuals running for City of Fort Myers Ward 5. The forum will be held on Aug. 13 from 4 – 5 p.m. at the Alliance for the Arts 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33919.

The forum will be conducted according to the guidelines of the League of Women Voters of Lee County who will also moderate, time and screen questions from the audience. The format will include a three minute opening statement by each candidate, one minute to answer each question by each candidate and a two minute closing statement. Any time remaining will be an opportunity for the candidates to meet with the attendees.

Attendees do not need to RSVP.

The Alliance for the Arts GreenMarket will continue free backyard farming workshops at 10:30 a.m. every Saturday morning in July at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33919. This year’s workshop series is titled “When the Shelves Go Bare” and deals with increased concerns about a potential future food shortage. The next workshop in the series, “An Introduction to Cheesemaking” will be presented by GreenMarket vendor Caroline Hostettler and held Saturday July 22 at 10:30 am.

Hosteller’s specialty is connecting high end restaurants and distributors to artisanal cheese makers worldwide. Her presentation will cover the basics of cheesemaking, focusing on easy recipes that can be attempted at the home kitchen.

Although workshops are free, small donations are welcomed, as the Alliance for the Arts GreenMarket strives to support local growers, bakers and artisans. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

What: “When the Shelves Go Bare” – urban farming workshops
When: Every Saturday morning in July at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Alliance for the Arts GreenMarket, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers FL 33919
Cost: Free

The Alliance for the Arts offers special extended hours during SoCo Second Saturday on Aug. 12 from 6 – 10 p.m. The evening features a poetry open mic night, Theatre Conspiracy’s production of Women In Jeopardy by Wendy MacLeod and Elevation: The Next Level exhibit.

SoCoPo

Southwest Florida poets are invited to share their work during an open mic night titled SoCoPo from 6-7:30 p.m. The event is free to attend 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 support affordable programming. Poets must share original work.

Women In Jeopardy

At 8 p.m. Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts presents Women in Jeopardy by Wendy MacLeod and directed by Bill Taylor. Liz Abbott, Stephanie Davis and Karen Goldberg star in this riotous comedy about trading in wine glasses for spy glasses when the mid-life crisis just isn’t your speed. Attempting to get to the bottom of a murder mystery, these ladies’ imaginations run wild as they try to discover the truth and save their friend in this hilarious adventure.

The production is sponsored in part by Susan Ion Hogan, DDS. Individual tickets to each show are $25, $11 for students or $22 for Alliance members.

Elevation: The Next Level

The Elevation: The Next Level exhibit will remain open from 6 – 10 p.m. during Second Saturday. Admission to the gallery is free, but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged to support affordable programming. Extended gallery hours apply only on the second Saturday of each month.

To purchase tickets to Women in Jeopardy or to learn more about this event, visit www.ArtInLee.or/SoCo or call 239-939-2787.

About SoCo Second Saturday

SoCo Second Saturday is a burgeoning partnership of arts, cultural and business organizations bordered by Colonial and McGregor boulevards. SoCo, which is short for “south of Colonial,” was originally introduced in the 1990s as a bohemian village of upcoming artists. Today, SoCo is being reestablished as the southwest Florida’s newest arts and cultural district and features scheduled performances, talks, short plays, open houses, artist demonstrations, gallery openings, wine tastings and other activities the second Saturday of each month.

Participating venues include: