Alliance for the Arts GreenMarket will host a free rainwater harvesting workshop on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 10:30 a.m. This seminar, presented by Jack Burden, will cover the basics of rainwater capture and reuse.

Jack Burden, of Raindrops Cisterns Inc., is an accredited professional of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association with 25 years of experience. He grew up as a “waterman” in south Florida and his connection with the resource goes back to his early days sailing and diving in south Florida. While working in Bangladesh, Burden witnessed water riots at the India/Bangladesh border. This experience led him into rainwater harvesting, waste water and storm water reuse.

Burden has developed Florida-state approved continuing education courses on rainwater harvesting for the state plumbers association. He has also served as a national trainer for the American Rain Catchment Systems Association.

The workshop will cover areas such as water capture, treatment, and reuse strategies; sewage treatment solutions for any size water systems; and water treatment and reuse. The presentation will be followed by a Question and Answer session.

The GreenMarket regularly offers the community free workshops and seminars covering topics such as urban farming, sustainability and organic practices in homes and gardens. Now in its 7th year, the GreenMarket provides a space where local growers, bakers and artisans can meet with residents and visitors.

Members of the SWFL Fine Craft Guild will demonstrate their various techniques on Saturday, Nov. 5 during Artists@Work at the Alliance for the Arts. This free, family friendly demo day runs from 10AM to 1PM during the Alliance GreenMarket. Come see a variety of work from local artists including:

  • Nancy Griffin (Fused glass)
  • Sue Archer (Vitreous painting)
  • Dale Eulitz (Wire wrapped jewelry)
  • Sandra Johnston (Knitting)
  • Lynn Ondercin (Stone sculture)
  • Jeanette Igoe (Clay ceramics)
  • Ana Santiago (Ceramic tiles)
  • Petra Kaiser (Fused Glassi)

Members of the SWFL Fine Craft Guild combine old craftsmanship with contemporary techniques to produce unique works of art.

Hundreds of pieces of artwork created by Alliance for the Arts members will fill the gallery walls during November and December during Off the Wall: 200 Under $200. Coinciding with the onset of the holiday shopping season, this non-traditional art show features works of all mediums priced at $200 or less. All sales are “cash and carry,” meaning purchasers will get to take the piece with them when they buy it, instead of waiting until the end of the exhibit. This exhibit  is kindly sponsored by Clif & Tina Parker.

The two month long exhibit will evolve as pieces disappear and the remaining pieces are repositioned. The opening reception is Friday, November 18. Caren Pearson will be exhibiting in the member gallery. The Theatre Gallery will house Private Collection: Alliance Treasures. The exhibit runs through December 30.

“We hope that this exhibit will encourage others to consider buying local art when shopping for gifts,” said Krista Johnson, Exhibitions Coordinator. “By doing so, we can help stimulate the city’s creative economy.”

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The show explores themes about modern American political extremism, feminism, beauty queens, James Madison, the Democratic Republic of America, the GOP, Liberal angst and Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. The Taming opens on October 14 at Alliance.

A crackling modern political farce, The Taming hilariously takes on America’s overheated political rhetoric and upends historical truths about our founding fathers. When a conservative senatorial aid, a liberal political activist, and a very sparkly beauty queen find themselves locked in a hotel room, the political passions of these slightly insane women prove they might just be revolutionary geniuses.

Initially inspired by The Taming of The Shrew, Gunderson’s farce The Taming grew out of her desire to wrestle with potent elements inside the Bard’s playful and problematic battle of the sexes. Inside the heightened, cheerfully absurd world of The Taming, Gunderson spanks America’s sound bite politics with the switch of actual history and proves Shakespeare’s point that true debate is hot.

Performances are October 14 – 30 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays at 8 PM with one Sunday matinee on October 30 at 2 PM. Tickets are $24 or $11 for students with proper ID. Thursday nights are “buy one get one half off.” Alliance for the Arts Member Theatre Night is Friday, October 14 and tickets are $15. Season subscription packages are also available. Buy 7 shows for $133 ($19 per ticket), 6 shows for $120 ($20 a ticket), or 5 shows for $110 ($22 per ticket).

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