Events Fort Myers

Remember 9-11 Tenth Year
Follow the Canvas

Internationally acclaimed artist Leoma Lovegrove
is embarking on a unique commemoration
of one of the darkest days in America’s history ~ September 11, 2001.
On this day, over 3,000 people lost their lives when our country was attacked.

Her vision is to have a billboard size canvas (10′ x 18′) travel to six locations in SW Florida. Each location will represent one of the locations where the 9/11 attack victims lost their lives that tragic day: the World Trade Center in New York City, American Airlines flight 93 which crashed in a field in PA, United Airlines flight 175 and American Airlines flight 11 which were flown by terrorists into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and American Airlines flight 77 which terrorists crashed into it.

Members of the public will paint the names of the victims from the 9/11 tragedy. The names of those who lost their lives will be differentiated by location through using different colors of paint. For example, those who perished at the World Trade Center will be shown in red, those on Flight 93 in dark blue and so on, layer upon layer.

When the names are completed, the canvas will be taken to the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers where the Ten Year Commemorative Event will take place on September 11, 2011. During that event, artist Leoma Lovegrove will paint an American Bald Eagle superimposed on top of the names. The names thus are the basis of the painting and the completed painting of the eagle represents the strength
of our American heritage and an affirmation that freedom prevails.

The Remember 9-11 Tenth Year Art Project is a reminder that we must
never forget and never stop supporting the 9-11 families and survivors.

The first venue will be The Franklin Shops on July 1st during Art Walk. Names of those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center will be painted in red. At subsequent locations, different colors will be used for the names from the Pentagon and the four airplanes. Lovegrove will be there to assist with the painting of the names. Members of the NYPD 1013 Local groups and the American Airline Suncoast KIWI9/11 Memorial will also be there to speak with the crowds.

The canvas will be completed by Lovegrove during Remember 9-11 Tenth Year at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre on Sept. 11, 2011, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Lovegrove and many others have partnered with her on this project to make sure that those who lost their lives are never forgotten and to honor those who conducted rescue efforts. Members of the NYPD 1013 Local will take part at the event as will members of American Airlines Suncoast KIWI9/11 Memorial.

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Presents “Island Time,” by Artists from the Florida Keys

Fort Myers, June 23, 2011–  On Friday, July 1, “Island Time,” an exhibit of artwork from the Florida Keys, will open at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. The exhibit will feature four artists from the Key Largo Art Gallery. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for Art Walk. The Art Center is located at 2301 First Street, in the historic River District, downtown Fort Myers.

Carmen Sotolongo Kelley, a Cuban American artist, is owner of the Key Largo Gallery and one of the featured artists. Her art is bright, bold and big, reflecting her life, her background, and where she lives. Kelley believes that “art is magical, it has energy, an energy that artists transfer to their artwork.” A high school art teacher, she always ends her day at the gallery. Her wish is that she can transfer her love of art to the kids she teaches.

Teresa Kelley, daughter of Carmen, has inherited her mother’s love of art. Her work depicts the beautiful plants and animals that can be seen around the islands.

Annmarie Anderson studied art and interior design at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. She moved to the Keys with her family in 1972 and then studied at Miami-Dade Community College and Florida International University. After 11 years working as a designer, Anderson left the firm to spend more time painting, her true love. Her award winning paintings often reflect the sparkling waters, tropical vegetation, boats and “conch” architecture she so enjoys.

Dan Lawler is a classic Keys painter and a resident of the area for over 50 years. He moved to the Keys from Chicago where he received his formal training at the Chicago Art Institute. Lawler has received numerous awards and ribbons and recently won a grant for four murals that now hang in the Freeman Justice Center in Key West. His work often depicts historical scenes like wreckers, smugglers, seascapes, and local characters. He has painted in France, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, South America, England, Italy and even the Soviet Union.

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the show continues through July 29.

David Acevedo and the Daas Gallery have something intended for mature audiences only

Skin 2011

In July, downtown Fort Myers’ daas Gallery will celebrate the human body in its natural state. Artists from all over will join in to present their selected works into one of the most talked about exhibitions in South West Florida. These pieces will be selected into the exhibition by three local personalities who are neutral and unrelated to the artists. The opening reception is scheduled for Friday, July 1, 2011 starting at 6pm.

The selecting committee members are:

Nick Grey – Art Teacher at the Canterbury School in Fort Myers, FL

Yohanna de la Torre – Editor/Writer, Gulf Coast Times and gulfcoasttimes.net 

Suzanne Smith – Professional Photographer, owner of SKS Photoshoot, Fort Myers, FL 

The Skin exhibition is a celebration of the nude and eroticism in art. The gallery is expecting a display of the greatest talents of our area and beyond, some of which have never exploited this theme before. Other masters in the field will introduce their latest creations to a public that is expected to be surprised, amused, amazed or simply insulted. Skin is synonymous to freedom of expression in daas Gallery terms. It is an exhibition that embraces our guiding principle of always bringing something new to the area and always thinking outside the box.