Art enthusiasts are used to seeing artwork in galleries and shops, but rarely do they get the chance to peek into the other side of the art world: the places where creation occurs. That’s not the case during the Alliance for the Arts’ Second Annual Artists Studio Tour on Saturday, April 13, when guests will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with seven Cape Coral Artists in their studios and homes.
This daylong, self-guided tour is an educational, inspirational and fun way to get to know local
artists while helping at the same time to support cultural and educational programming.
"It's rare to be invited into an artist's space to see how they work and witness their process,"observed Alliance volunteer Sherry Rohl after last year's inaugural Artists Studio Tour. "We've resided in Fort Myers for 20 years," Karen Oswell chimed in, "but we had no idea the arts are flourishing like this." Architect and City Councilman Mike Flanders agreed. "When you get to go on a tour like this and see a number of artists' studios, it give you a collective perspective. A sense that there's an art movement afoot here."
In fact, that collective perspective changed last year's participants' perception of Fort Myers. Holli Herman relocated here seven years ago and said she'd tell friends back in Portland, Oregon that Fort Myers is a waiting room for the afterlife with some shopping thrown in. "I had no idea we had this kind of culture. It's completely changed my opinion of Fort Myers."
"It's not only changed my perspective about Fort Myers," added Orlando and Tampa transplant Dana Ness, "it make me proud to be part of the community."
By signing up for this year's tour, participants will be able to experience the art scene in the Cape and change their perception of Cape Coral as well. The day begins at the Alliance’s 10-acre campus on the corner of McGregor & Colonial in Fort Myers, where ticket holders will enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast from 9–11 a.m. and get their map to the artists’ studios. While they’re at the Alliance, they can also check out the artist studios in the Edwards Building, including the Logan Studio, Gulf Coast Atelier, Studio 201 & Union Artist Studios, all of which will be open.
Participants will then spend the day choosing the order and the amount of time they wish spend at each location on the studio tour. They’ll see a variety of artistic mediums, including painting, fiber, glass, wood and wire work. This year’s featured artists are: Paul Adamick, Paula Eckerty, Petra Kaiser, Phil Krym, Shirley Hales, Alicia Schmidt and Rose Young. They day will conclude at the Cape Coral Arts Studio on Coronado Parkway with an Arty Hour hors d'oeuvres and wine tasting reception from 3-4 p.m., with several more artists demonstrating silversmithing, stone and clay work.
Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to watch local artists work in their own spaces and discuss their creative processes. Tickets are $49 and include continental breakfast, self-guided tour and program and Arty Hour reception. Artists’ Studio Tour sponsorship provided by Whitten Technical and Total Wine & More. Visit the Alliance Facebook page’s photo gallery to see pictures from last year’s tour, which enthusiastically attended and warmly received.
The Alliance for the Arts proudly supports artists and arts organizations in our area as the state designated Local Arts Agency for Lee County. The Alliance for the Arts galleries and gift shop are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1:00 on Saturdays.
The Alliance is located at 10091 McGregor Boulevard, just south of Colonial Boulevard. To become a member, please visit http://www.artinlee.org/JoinUs/membership.html or telephone 239-939-2787.
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