The Alliance for the Arts is excited to announce the start of its multiphase campus enchainment project planned for the 2.2 acres along McGregor Blvd. The first phase of this project comes in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation: an installation of an 8 foot sidewalk, new crosswalks and lighting along the McGregor Blvd. edge of the campus.

“The reimagination of the western edge of our campus goes hand in hand with our rapid growth over the last decade. More than a place to play, we see a community hub for discovery and creativity, education and adventure; a place where people, art and imagination meet,” says executive director Lydia Black. “We’re creating a front door for our friends and neighbors to bike, walk and stroll to join us at the Alliance. These updates will help make our community more walkable, livable and accessible.”

Following the completion of the sidewalk installation, the Alliance and its project partners will begin on the campus centerpiece, the Caloosahatchee Water Wall by internationally acclaimed artist Michael Singer. In addition to being an aesthetic and educational piece, the Caloosahatchee Water Wall is designed to be a storm water run-off filter, using aeration and aquatic vegetation at its base to filter water in the retention basin. Water is pumped up from the retention basin; the water trickles down the trellis and into the regeneration zone. The filtered water re-enters the basin and eventually makes its way out to the Caloosahatchee.

Funding for this project has been made possible by The City of Fort Myers, EnSite, Frizzell Family Foundation, Keep Lee County Beautiful, L.A.T. Foundation, The Price Foundation, LCEC, National Endowment of the Arts, Price Foundation, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, Rotary Club of Fort Myers South, TriCircle Pavers and a host of Alliance donors and members.

For more information, visit ArtInLee.org/WaterWall 

The Alliance for the Arts presents Arts & End Holiday Sale on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Alliance campus at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33919. Coinciding with the onset of the holiday shopping season, this event encourages purchasers to consider buying local art when shopping for gifts. The art sale will also feature activities throughout the day, including a interactive art projects, artist demos, and more.

Local artists will present and sell hand-crafted items in a wide variety of mediums and styles in the Alliance gallery.

Featured artists include: Alexandra Jaramillo, Alicia Schmidt, Dana JamJoum, Jayne Baker, Laura Moynahan, Marta Sicajan, MiMi Stirn, Susan Mills, Cicero McCarter, Pamela Volz, and Union Artist Studios.

Arts & Ends Holiday Sale takes place during the Off the Wall Exhibit: 200 Pieces Under $200. 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. The exhibit runs through Dec. 29. Guests can also shop works from over 75 local and regional artists in the gift shop.

“We hope that this event and exhibit inspires shoppers to consider buying from local artists this season,” said Krista Johnson, exhibitions coordinator at the Alliance for the Arts. “Purchasing local art is a gift that gives back to a thriving creative economy.”

Dislandys Acosta Bravo and Rich Bravo

On Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, the Alliance for the Arts welcomed more than 300 artists, arts supporters, beer lovers and cultural philanthropists to its Arts On Tap Fundraiser. Arts On Tap, now in its second year, is a taste of creativity in the Alliance gallery featuring the craft of local brewers.

Pierce Augustenborg, Lexi Augustenborg, Lee Golden, Michelle Golden, Sara Fitzpatrick, W. Jeffrey Mudgett
Dean Piccirillo and Cantrella Canady

The event rasied over $40,000. All funds directly support the Alliance’s mission to transform lives and improve our community through the arts. Since 1975, the Alliance’s year-round schedule of events have become a staple for the community through engaging gallery exhibitions, inspiring art classes from fine art life drawing to the art of beer-making and stimulating theatre productions that range from the classics to the cutting edge. Proceeds support a creative hub that spurs and supports self-expression, access and equity, imagination and individuality by connecting our community through the arts.

Partygoers enjoyed spectacular live entertainment from musician Matty Jollie as well as unlimited tastings from participating breweries and restaurants, the Dia de los Muertos Juried Exhibit, twisted pub games, a silent auction and a raffle.

Tim, Brooke and Jordan of Point Ybel Brewing Company

Participating crafters include Big Blue Brewing, Bury Me Brewing, Coastal Dayz Brewery, Eight Foot Brewing, Fort Myers Brewing Company, Momentum Brewhouse, Palm City Brewing, Point Ybel Brewing Company and Scotty’s Bierwerks and culinary creations from Cristof’s, Judi Mae Cookies, Pretzel Crips, Smallcakes Fort Myers and University Grill.
The event is sponsored by Briers CPA, Custom Packaging and Products , The Dorcey Law Firm, EnSite, GMA Architects & Planners, HBKS Wealth Advisors, Priority Business Solutions, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank and Seminole Casino Hotel.

Southwest Florida poets are invited to share their original work at an open mic night on Oct. 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33919. The event is designed to bring together different generations, styles and approaches to poetry as poets share their work against a vibrant backdrop of local art during the Dia de los Muertos: Juried Exhibit.

The event is free 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 keep Alliance programming affordable and accessible. An additional Poetry Open Mic Night will be held on Feb. 12, 2019.

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

Local artists from all around southwest Florida sand beyond submitted more than 120 pieces for consideration in the Alliance for the Arts’ Dia de los Muertos Exhibition. After consideration from the juror, 72 pieces were unveiled to the public during an opening celebration on October 5 featuring  face painting from Krafty Kate’s Face Painting Kreations LLC, interactive art projects, flower crowns and arrangements with Alice’s Table-Southwest Florida, tequila tasting and light refreshments. The exhibit will continue through November 3 at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33919.

Jay Lana was awarded $250 for Best in Show for his paper mache piece, “From Mictlan.” Richard Bravo won a $125 Golden Colors Gift Certificate for his 2nd place acrylic work, “Afro Americana” Rachelli Linz won $75 for 3rd place for her oil painting, “Pour Vida.” Bruce Mackechnie and Luciano DeAndrade were awarded honorable mentions.

“We’re so proud to be exhibiting this show,” says exhibitions coordinator Krista Johnson. “The submissions truly showcase the beauty and vitality of the Dia de los Muertos holiday.”

Full list of exhibiting artists include: Cesar Aguilera, Taylor Anslinger, Elisabeth Arena, Jayne Baker, Mary Barbato, Kyra Belan, Patrick Benjamin, Bonnie Bohn, Richard Bravo, Donna Chase, Steve Conley, Ashley Craig, Luciano DeAndrade, Sean Donovan, Diane Dowthitt, Diane Chernow, Lisa Duritsch, Paula Eckerty, Cheryl Fausel, Estefani Figueredo, Marilyn Frank, Anne Friedman, Janet George, Carolyn Gora, Dom-O-Nick (a.k.a. Bernard) Gorniak, David Hammel, Jacqueline (Buffy) Izzo, Krista Johnson, Leo Johnson, Jay Lana, Claude Lyles, Raschelli Linz, Doug MacGregor, Bruce MacKechnie, Nance Marsden, Jasmine Martinson, Julie Obney, Jeff and Dale Ocasio, Sue Osin, Margaret Paul, Charles Pompilius, Gregory Presley, Sharon Rodgers, Mary Beth Scott, Terry Lynn Spry, Spyter Marie, Alyssa Stoff, Lisa Tracy, Pam Trent, Africa Valdez, Mallory Vanderpool, Pamela Volz, Susan Schafer Walker, Shirley Wendt, Susan Wingenroth, Barbara Yeomans, Hollly Zammerilla, Peter Zell

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