The Alliance for the Arts’ January exhibit pairs the work of two women artists who live part-time in Southwest Florida. Barbara Hoffman is a photographer who will exhibit current work following the theme Beauty in Decay. Painter and printmaker Tammra Sigler’s exhibition will include pieces from her Flowers series of 2007 and her more recent Fun monotype series. Their joint exhibit will open with a public reception on Friday, January 8 at 5PM at the Alliance. The artists will lead a Gallery Walk & Talk on Saturday, January 9 at 10AM. The exhibit remains on display through January 30.

SEE MORE ABOUT THE ARTISTS

While they work in different mediums, the Alliance exhibition committee felt their artwork is complimentary. Committee member and Fort Myers artist, Andy Browne, says “I saw two artists whose work was similar in that both are rooted in floral and organic imagery, but they have two very different approaches; both in medium and attitude. I see Barbara’s work as quiet, formal and elegant and Tammra’s work as zippy, frenetic and noisy.”

Barbara Hoffman is from Peoria, IL but now winters in Bonita Springs. She has often shown her work around the country for the past decade. Most recently her Beauty and Decay collection was featured as a one person exhibition at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, IL.

Tammra Sigler splits her time between Maryland and Naples. Tammra attended Syracuse University, School of Fine Arts, and graduated with honors in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland in 1965.  Ms. Sigler has shown her work extensively and been awarded many prizes in the Baltimore/Washington area as well as Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Lexington, Palm Beach, and throughout South America.

Tammra’s work has been acquired by The National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C. and the Baltimore Museum of Art. It is included in many corporate and private collections both nationally and internationally…(selected corporate collections: The Johns Hopkins Hospital, The Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital, Towson University, Maryland Institute College of Art, Ohio State University, University of Maryland, University College Collection) Twice her work was selected   (1994, 2000) to be represented in the national publication “New American Painting” by Open Studio Press as well as “Studio Visit Magazine 2014.” Sigler’s work was featured in the13th Annual Artis–Naples Artists’ Studio Tour in 2008 and has been shown at the von Liebig Art Center in their Founders and Encounter, other juried shows. The Baker Museum, Artis–Naples, featured four of her “Philip Glass -In the Upper Room” pieces in “The Florida Contemporary” 2015.

Artists Statements

Graceful Decay
Graceful Decay by Barbara Hoffman

Barbara Hoffman – “Traditional flower and plant photography is about perfection, catching the plant or flower at its most perfect and unblemished point.   This series uses decaying tropical plants, well past the point of traditional perfection, as a metaphor for the beauty in all phases of life.  The vegetation’s lushness and sensuality can be felt, even through aging and death.

The plant material in many of these images was found in pristine neighborhoods in Florida.  From stacks of curb trash I found incredible sources of exquisite detail and rich color.  In the wild, I found plant material lying in sensual array, decaying in place.  Its beauty was undeniable.

The inherent conflict between societal expectations of youthful physical perfection and relentless physical decay sets up a tension that requires continual adjustment of self-image.  This body of work is helping me put aside arbitrary expectations, reaching for a new understanding of aging.  The richness in color, texture and form parallels the richness of experience and depth of beauty in the human aging process.”

Birds, Ginger and Paint Brushes-Quadrants-Oil and mixed media on paper-2007
Birds, Ginger and Paint Brushes-Quadrants-Oil and mixed media on paper-2007 by Tammra Sigler

Tammra Sigler – This diversified collection of my work spans 8 years: my “Flowers” series of 2007 to my “Fun” monotype series of 2015. Although the work has a wide range of subject matter and size, there are a number of constants.

As a painter and printmaker, my primary concern is always “the mark.” ….just what happens when the pen/brush reaches the paper/canvas. That is my electric moment. My buzz! The very specific character, personality, energy, vibrancy of my mark, be it lively or quiet and contemplative, are the very heart of my work. While I may be responding visually, as in the flower pieces, responding to my imagination, as in swarms and bees, or responding to sound, as in the music pieces from 2015, first and foremost, is always “the mark.” Secondly, it is quite obvious that I am concerned with color. I find myself pushing my color…introducing colors that just don’t quite belong! Finding solutions that are contrary to the obvious. I hop onto unexpected opportunities. How can I break rules? Where is the magic? The humor? The whimsy? I like to laugh. I do not think about these ideas, I just find them…or perhaps, they find me! They fuel my search. My moments of delight come from SURPRISE.

The opening reception on Friday, January 8 from 5-7PM is free and open to the public. Barbara Hoffman and Tammra Sigler will hold a free Gallery Walk on Saturday, January 9 at 10AM. The exhibit remains on display through January 30.

Artwork created by Alliance instructors and their students will be displayed in the Member Gallery. Broadsides: Poetry off the Shelf featuring will be featured in the Foulds Theatre Lobby. The official Broadsides event is January 28 at 7PM.

The Peanuts Movie posterThe ever-popular Outdoor Family Movie Nights return to the Alliance for the Arts on Friday, January 22 at 7PM with a screening of The Peanuts Movie. Pack up your lawn chairs, coolers and blankets to enjoy this fun and endearing animated film under the stars with your family and friends!

Based on the classic comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, The Peanuts Movie is a family-friendly story of childhood. Life always seems complicated for good ol’ Charlie Brown (Noah Schnapp), the boy who always tries his best against seemingly impossible odds. When the Little Red-Haired Girl moves into his neighborhood, Charlie Brown develops a crush on her. Meanwhile, his best friend Snoopy embarks on an epic adventure in a fantasy world. As a World War I flying ace, the lovable beagle pursues his nemesis, the Red Baron, while also trying to win the heart of a beautiful poodle named Fifi (Kristin Chenoweth).

The Outdoor Family Movie Night series continues on Friday, February 19 at 7:15PM with Home, and concludes on Friday, March 18 at 8:30PM with Epic. A suggested $5 family donation helps the Alliance continue offering affordable family programming. Support for Family Movie Nights is generously provided by DinoLingo.com Language Learning Programs for Kids, Pediatric Dentistry of Fort Myers-Dr. Tim Verwest, Riverside Realty and Staging Matters.

The Alliance for the Arts is proud to host four visiting instructors who will lead special workshops during January, February and March. These are great opportunities for local artists to work with, learn from, and be inspired by experts in their mediums. All four artists regularly teach in their home towns, as well as travel to teach whenever possible.

David Kessler paintingPainter David Kessler is based in Winston-Salem, NC. His 3-day Abstracts: Fresh & Loose Workshop on January 14-16 seeks to get student artists to loosen up their style and paint with more freedom and spontaneity. He says his workshop is not only about painting abstract compositions, but also learning to paint more freely. The workshop is $350 for Alliance members or $435 for non-members. More information about David is at www.davidmkessler.com.

WechslerS Large square mirror photo-2day_for webWorld-renowned mosaic artist Susan Wechsler is based in Denver, Co. She returns to the Alliance for a second season to present her 1 or 2-day Mosaic Workshop on January 23-24. Susan creates mosaics on items she finds at flea markets and antique shops using broken pieces of china, stained glass and gemstones. Attendees will learn to cut, glue and grout fine china, art glass and found objects to create their own beautiful keepsake mirror. Her 1-day workshop on January 23rd is $85 for members or $120 for non-members + a $55 supply fee. Her 2-day workshop is $245 for members or $310 for non-members + an $85 Supply fee. You can learn more about Susan and her work at www.mosaicsbysusan.com.

Ginnie Peterson encausticOn February 26-27 lifelong artist Ginnie Peterson from St. Paul, MN will present her Paint with Molten Beeswax-Encaustic Workshop. She says this medium is perfect for painters, sculptors and photographers of all levels. Learn to paint with beeswax that is melted and saturated with pigments like those used in oil paints! Most students leave with three finished pieces per day. The workshop is $250 for members ore $315 for non-members. A single-day option is available. Learn more about Ginnie and her work at www.ginniepeterson.com.

elio camachoFinally on March 1-3 San Francisco-based painter Elio Camacho will lead his Plein Air with Elio Workshop. Although Camacho came to painting later in life he has been a highly-regarded artist and instructor for nearly two decades. He says his goal is to help students capture the particular mood of a moment and to express themselves in bold and colorful ways, all while capturing the beauty and spontaneity of nature. His workshop is $375 for members ore $475 for non-members. Learn more about Camacho at www.colorrelations.com.

These workshops have pre-registration deadlines, so don’t hesitate to sign up if interested. The Alliance offers year-round classes for people of all ages and experience levels. Alliance members always receive 20% off all classes & workshops, among many other member benefits. Visit ArtInLee.org to learn more about the visiting artist workshops, or all of the fun and inspiring things happening at the Alliance all year long.

 

web bannerFlorida Repertory Theatre and the Alliance for the Arts are teaming up again in December for Winter Arts Camp 2015! Kids ages 5-17 will act, sing, dance and create during the four day session running from December 28-31. This year’s theme is Musical Theatre Adventures, a holiday workshop exploring the magic of musicals through the family friendly classic The Polar Express! With the guidance of professional instructors, students will discover the best of musical theatre, integrating drama, dance, music and art into their final product, an informal presentation showcasing the many things they learned during camp.

The 4-day session is $175. Camp runs from 9AM-4PM, with aftercare available for $5 per day. Call 239-332-4665 or go to www.floridarepeducation.org for more information, or click HERE to register online now.

Florid Division of Cultural Affairs081412On Wednesday, December 9th staff members from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs will be at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers presenting information sessions on the Division’s Strategic Plan and Grants processes. The first session, from 9-10AM, will focus on the Cultural Affairs’ strategic planning process and new initiatives to promote arts and culture in Florida. The second session, from 10:30-11:30AM, will cover their grant programming – including available grant opportunities, grants management, contract requirements and tips for submitting high scoring grants. Both sessions are open to all but the Grants session is primarily geared towards nonprofit cultural organizations. You can RSVP online HERE or by calling 239-939-2787.