Thursdays at Waterfront, Gift daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Gift

5x7, acrylic on board

Sold

This little painting was sold right off the easel as I put on the finishing touches. I enjoyed meeting the buyer, a young woman from NYC who knows and enjoys art. She was going to put it on a small easel on her coffee table. It was late, she didn't want it framed, so it was a quick sale and off it went. I'll enjoy thinking of it in it's more cosmopolitan life!

Last night we attended an art opening at the Artist Colony at the Esplanade. Waterfront Gallery is a little harder to find since it is facing the water rather than being in the main corridor, but once you are there it is worth the trip. There are nine enthusiastic artists in the Waterfront Gallery, and they have decided to bring more attention to their space by having a featured artist with an opening every week for the next nine weeks.

Their work is all quite different, and when numbers were drawn, abstract artist Tony Dallman-Jones was designated as the first artist to show his work. Waterfront Gallery loves to play host, and the wine was poured generously and the treats were delectable. Tony's work was hung on their long wall and looked terrific, his abstract impressions providing much fodder for discussion. Tony's work will hang all week, to be replaced by another artist next Thursday night.

It would be nice to have strong community support for these openings. The Artist Colony is bringing people from all over to visit, and is helping to make Marco an arts destination. If you're a business person, you'll benefit from increased business. If you're a realtor, you'll benefit, since people want to live where art opportunities are available. If you have relatives from up north after the beach you can take them out for lunch and an art walk. Visitors and residents alike tell us every day how much they appreciate our being available to them.

And you personally benefit by expanding your vision, seeing new artwork, talking to an artist about the how and why of what they're doing, seeing what you like and what you don't, and enjoy a constantly changing feast for the eyes.

Hope to see you in all three galleries, and please, put Thursdays at Waterfront on your calendar.