Florida painter, Everglades, Marco Island, artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

1/23/13

Supporting the Arts, and Sweet Day by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Sweet Day, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn
acrylic on board, 5"x7"


What does it mean to support the arts on Marco Island?  Start by showing up! 

This week you can support the Marco Island Center for the Arts by attending the Black and White Gala at the Marco Island Hilton on Friday night.  It's very close to being sold out, but you can call the Art Center at 239-394-4221 to see about getting a last minute seat.  

If you can't attend the Gala, think about making a small donation of support. The Art Center, like most arts organizations, has had a very tough time during the recession and is slowly but surely climbing out of the past and into the future. If you want to help, you can show your support with money.  Yes, M-O-N-E-Y! Your dollars, large or small, can really make a difference.
  
You can also support the Art Center by shopping in the wonderful gift shop, showing up at Gallery events on the second Tuesday of every month, taking  a class, or just becoming a member.   

You can support Leadership Marco's Scholarship Fund by attending Souper Bowls, on Saturday at Mackle Park, 11-2. For a small donation of $10, you will get to taste different soups made by local restaurants (support!) and take home a handmade bowl made by Marco students and fired by the Art Center's Clay Guild. The event supports scholarships for Marco students.

I supported this event by working briefly with the committee, and making a bowl to be auctioned off.  Since it's my very first ceramic piece I have no idea if it will be attractive.  The ceramic artists tells me that the kiln puts in the magic and it can't be controlled ahead without experience.  Scary, but I felt it was important to show my support.  You can show yours by attending and bidding!  

In support of the Chamber's Wet Paint Live, which will be held on February 6th this year, Sunshine Studios will host a reception for the artists and sponsors of this year's Wet Paint Live, on Thursday, January 24th.  You can how your support for Wet Paint Live by becoming a sponsor!  

Other ways of supporting this fun event are to show up on February 6th and visiting the artists as they paint the island "en plein air".  For a small fee you can also attend the live auction to be held the same night at the Rose Hall Auditorium, see the completed paintings, and bid on the artists work, or just come along for the fun. It's a blast. 

Communities are judged by the quality of their culture.  Communities thrive on the dollars the arts bring into a community.  Community spirit is strong where the arts are strong.  
 
This is not meant to be a lecture, just to make you think about how important the arts are to you.  If you are lucky enough to have "enough" in your life, the arts are one way you can give back.  Thank YOU if you have already shown support the arts on Marco.  

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