August at the Alliance for the Arts

The Alliance is a place to meet like-minded people and get inspired. So, to all you explorers, adventurers, dreamers, artists and art lovers: say hello to August! We’ve saved a spot just for you.
The Chechens, winner of the 2019 Bruce and Janet Bunch New Play Contest Award, by Phillip Christian Smith and directed by Bill Taylor
August 5 – 15 • After a year and a half of innovative online and outdoor theatre, indoor theatre returns to the Alliance this August! Beautifully written, The Chechens is an intense, funny and vital production. Set in modern day Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechen Republic, rumors are going around that “certain people” are being rounded up and held in a camp on the East edge of town. Can one family protect their little brother who may or may not be the next target? Will they turn him in? Will they go so far as to honor-kill him? What prevails in the end: religion, politics or love?
Experience live theatre with our 2021-22 season!
Our season is full of unique, high-quality, affordable entertainment from outrageous comedies to sweeping dramas to an immersive theatrical experience that will span every space at the Alliance.
Experience it all with a season subscription and receive up to $36 in savings! If you plan on attending multiple shows, we have a variety of flexible subscription packages that will fit any budget and offer you more freedom in your schedule.
As you know, ticket prices alone cannot cover the costs associated with producing great live theatre. Please consider making a gift to support your favorite local non-profit theatre company!
Early Morning Tai Chi – Outdoor Class
Thursdays, August 5 – September 2 • Tai Chi exercise is appropriate for all ages and any skill level. Learn to move smoothly and efficiently with grace, suppleness, balance and good posture. Learn to relax your body and open your energy pathways. Gently build your strength, flexibility and mental clarity. Boost your immune system. Practicing Tai Chi is a gift to yourself that will help you improve overall, your mind, body and spirit. No experience necessary.
 
Wednesday Morning Yoga with Nicole Michaelson Traum – Onsite Class
Wednesdays, August 11 – September 1 • Start your morning with a stretch. Join Nicole for weekly yoga classes indoors during this summer. Classes are open to all levels. Please bring a mat, towel and some water. Pre-registration is required.
 
Pastel Animals (Ages 9+) – Onsite Class
Thursdays, August 12 – September 2 • Strengthen your observational skills with a toolkit of five simple drawing techniques! After practicing the skills, you can choose to work from a photo of any animal you want. From start to finish, using pencil and chalk pastel, students will learn how to create the most detailed and realistic full color image. Zan Lombardo brings 40 years of experience teaching pastels.
 
A Woman of Style: Mary Cassatt – Online Art Lecture
Thursday, August 19 • Mary Cassatt depicted the “New Woman” of the 19th century from the woman’s perspective. Cassatt often created images of the social and private lives of women, with particular emphasis on the intimate bonds between mothers and children. Although Cassatt did not explicitly make political statements about women’s rights in her work, her artistic portrayal of women was consistently done with dignity and the suggestion of a deeper, meaningful inner life.
 
LGBTQ+ Dating Violence ArtReach (Ages 12 – 18)
Thursday, August 26 • This is a 3 hour educational art session for ages 12-18 years old. The first hour will be focused on learning tools that prevent violence while highlighting the barriers LGBTQ+ people experience that their counterpart may not. The next 2 hours will be dedicated to allowing the kids to express themselves.
 
Saturday GreenMarket
Each and every Saturday • Our outdoor farmer’s market is loaded with local produce, artisanal foods, edible and landscape plants, yoga on the lawn, live music, art, one-of-a-kind gifts, backyard farming workshops and all the good flavors and good vibes you can fit into your Saturday morning. Plus, there’s plenty of shade, camaraderie and community – the perfect setting to enjoy a bite and relax! Our weekly market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each and every Saturday, year-round and rain or shine.
 
Different Strokes – Members Exhibit
Exhibits August Now – 28 • Our diversity as a community is what makes us strong and our perspectives and viewpoints for making art are just as important. The Alliance strives to support and foster all styles and mediums ranging from traditional 2 and 3-dimensional mediums like painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber and mixed media to emerging and contemporary trends such as digital, installation, performance and experiential based works.
 
In the Theatre Lobby: Barbra Fewster
Exhibits August 6 – 28 • In August, celebrate the life and art of the kind and talented Barbra Fewster with a selection of her work on display in the Theatre Lobby Gallery. Continuing their support of the local art community, Barbara’s family has asked that the proceeds of any art purchased from this exhibition be donated back to the Alliance.
 
Dia de los Muertos: A Juried Exhibit
Exhibits October 1 – 30 • The family and the community play integral roles in this cultural celebration, so the congregation of local art to honor the deceased maintains the power of community in the Dia de los Muertos tradition. Each artist explores their own interpretation of this rich holiday, and bring to light not only the honor associated with death in Mexican culture, but also remind us of the vivacity and significance of the lives of our loved ones who have passed.
To help alleviate financial stress caused by the pandemic, the Alliance for the Arts is waiving all submission entry fees for member artists to submit to our Dia de los Muertos exhibit in October 2021. You may submit one, two or three artworks. Deadline for submission is September 17, 2021.
 
Forge & Scroll Exhibition
Exhibits September 3 – 23 • Be transported through two disparate worlds that converge, yet complement —an ode to nature through the eyes of an artist-poet where twisting vines and random blooms come to life on large-scale watercolor scrolls — and the tactile strength of metal forged into intricate sculptures that capture nature’s organic shapes and elements.
Zan Lombardo will be onsite for gallery talks and poetry readings associated with her pieces on Sept. 11 and 18 from 9 – 11 a.m. during Alliance for the Arts weekly GreenMarket. Zan will also host an educational Mangroves as Poetry event on Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. that will feature poetry on her 15-foot mangroves watercolor while getting educated about the worth and beauty of the mangroves that protect our shorelines.
 
Fort Myers Cosplay Con 2021
Sunday, September 26 • This convention is full of everything you look forward to at conventions, all in one event! Tabletop games, helpful demos and workshops, LARP sessions, cosplay mini shoots, informative panels from local experts in the field, cosplay contests for craftsmanship AND showmanship – and the list continues to grow!
 
Save the Dates: Arts On Tap returns this November
November 12 and 13 • Now in its 4th year, Arts On Tap is a fundraising event for the Alliance for the Arts. This year’s event spans two days and features an exciting mash up of southwest Florida’s burgeoning craft beer and vibrant arts scenes and a performance by two-time Grammy-nominated hip hop group the Nappy Roots. Tickets on sale September 2021.
Participating crafters include Bone Hook Brewing, Coastal Dayz Brewery, Crazy Dingo Brewing, Eight Foot Brewing, Fort Myers Brewing, Hopsized Brewing, LaBelle Brewing, Millennial Brewing Company, Palm City Brewing, Point Ybel Brewing and Riptide Brewing. Restaurant partners include The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen, Arts & Eats Cafe, Nice Guys and The Standard. The event is sponsored by GMA Architects, Nice Guys Pizza, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank and Priority Business Solutions.
 
Alliance for the Arts • ArtInLee.org
239-939-2787 • 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers
Membership • Donate • Classes • Exhibits • Theatre
Janet & Bruce Bunch · The Claiborne & Ned Foulds Foundation
Leigh Frizzell Hayes · Mary Lou & Richard Helms
Meisenberg Family Trust · Jon & Megan Romine · Arthur Zupko
And incredible people like you!