Arts Afire 2012

It was a day in the park for some members of the City of Marco Island's Arts Afire, 2012 committee.  Hundreds turned out out see community organizations interpret art in

A Walk with the Masters.

The Jewish Congregation invited Chihuly

Popeye and Olive came with Sweet Pea (Yacht Club)

A disciple has his hair done before attending Last Supper (Lutheran Church)

The Mad Hatter (Island Players) served Tea

Music was provided by Picasso's Musicians (MIFA)

Renoir's Boating Party had a blast (Artist Colony)

The groups were only breifly threatened by this natural materials alligator (Historical Society)

And members of our esteemed City Council presented the prestigious Flame Awards to those in our community who fan the flames of arts and culture on Marco Island.  

Marco Players also attended.  The Matisse dancers (Marco Island Academy, sorry, no photos) wanted to stuff the ballot box to win the People's Choice Award.  I was almost pursuaded to take a cupcake for the five votes they were short.  But Mad Hatter's Tea Party table won the day, and cheered most loudly when their much deserved success was announced. 

Congratulations to all who participated, and thanks for your wonderful enthusiasm, sprit of fun, and joy of the arts!  Thanks all who came out to enjoy!  Arts Afire, 2012, was a great success.

Sigh of a Breeze painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Sigh of a Breeze, 2011, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20"x24"

Sigh of a Breeze is not quite as yellow as it shows here.  With the heavy amount of glazing I've been doing the paintings are just a little color heavy in the photos.  Working on this.  Sigh

Here's an update on my recent post about working with the Marco Island Academy.  All projects and plans with the Artist Colony are off because of changes at the Academy that prompted the release of art instructor Bill Kobe.  Sigh

Since the arts are known to promote the learning of math and science, this is a huge loss to students who were already involved in a number of art focused projects. Projects that involved students thinking about broader perspectives and providing them with knowledge that would enrich their lives no matter what their final occupation. 

Bill was a terrific addition to the Marco Island arts community.  In just a few short months he had initiated incentives at the Art Center, the Artist Colony, Bonita Art Center, and with a number of arts individuals in the community.

It's a small island, and every artistic voice helps us grow culturally.  We'll miss him.  Sigh

Full of Promise, painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Autumn Song, 2011, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on linen, 20"x24

We look at the beauty of the land surrounding us, and take a moment to savor the promise of the day.  Autumn Song has taken on a richness and glow through layers of glazing and building up and cutting back. 

Through a touch of good fortune and an instructor who believes in the arts and community, the Artist Colony at the Esplanade is working with the Marco Island Academy with the eventual goal of producing a film about the Colony, with a short clip about each individual artist.  

The first step will be for the students to write an article for the school newspaper about their plans.  Joshua, Jakob and Armando interviewed me, as founder of the Colony, for some background information, and about my work.  They were well prepared, full of energy, and full of promise.  The techno savvy and the energy at the school was full of promise, too.  I'm excited about this opportunity!

Update!  Instructor has left and project in limbo.  Stay tuned!