Cheers to a New Year

We can’t wait to spark your imagination, inspire reflection and deepen connections among our community in the New Year and always. This January, join us for an upcoming event or theatre production, an art class or gallery exhibition!

Changing Direction: National Associate of Women Artists

In the Gallery January 6 – 28 • The National Association of Women Artists was founded in 1889. It is the oldest professional women’s fine arts organization in the United States. It encourages contemporary and emerging artists while continuing to honor the long and important contribution of women to the history of American culture and art. This exhibition, juried by FGCU professor Morgan Paine, presents 50 pieces by NAWA members meditating on the theme “Changing Direction”.

The exhibition’s juror will host a panel discussion with several artists on January 21 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. This discussion is free and open to the public, however a RSVP is strongly recommended.

Opening Reception: Friday January 6 from 5-7 p.m. See it first. See it free. This event is open to the public. Come meet your neighbors and enjoy light refreshments provided by Jayne Baker at this free event! While the gallery admission is free, a $5 suggested donation keeps the Alliance programming affordable and accessible.

Find Out More →

Panel Discussion RSVP →

Faceless by Selina Fillinger and Directed by Miguel Cintron

Performances January 19-29• On her way to Syria, Susie Glenn, a Caucasian 18-year-old from the Chicago suburbs, is arrested and charged with terrorism. Susie had been radicalized online resulting in her conversion to Islam. How does that even happen? That’s exactly what prosecuting attorney Claire Fathi, a Harvard-educated Muslim, would like to know. This courtroom drama delves into the many facets involved in this true story as it examines how Susie found herself engaged to an ISIS fighter through social media and believing wholeheartedly in radical Islam. It also examines the complex feelings of Claire, who wonders what right Susie has to profess herself as a true Muslim, along with knowing she herself is being used as a token in the prosecution of this case.

Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non-members and available at ArtInLee.org or by calling the box office at 239-939-2787.Performances are January 19 – 21 and January 26 – 28 at 7:30 p.m. and January 29 at 2 p.m.

Please note: the approximate run time for this production is 90 minutes with no intermission.

Find Out More →

Purchase Tickets →

Storytelling Showcase: New Beginnings

Friday, January 6, 7:00pm • Experience the power of the spoken word. When was the last time that a story transported you into another world? Join us as our tellers get up on stage and tell their tales of new beginnings. In this first of a series of storytelling events, Storytellers of the Round Table and The Elephant Showcase Storytellers bring you stories in the oral tradition. Captivating, spellbinding, and entertaining.

Featuring Dr. Joel Ying, Mary Lou Williams, Rhonda Brazina, Marilyn Graham.

Tickets are $18 for Alliance members, $20 for non-members.

Purchase Tickets →

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Freaky Friday the 13th

Friday, January 13, 6:00pm • Join us Friday the 13th for our Outdoor Double Feature. Gates open at 5:00 with Disney’s Freaky Friday starting at 6:00 pm. Then watch Jason terrorize Camp Crystal Lake, starting at 8:00. Food trucks and Beverages will be available

Bring your chairs and blankets. No coolers or pets.

Tickets are $12 for Alliance members, $15 for non-members.
Kids under 5 get in free!

Purchase Tickets →

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Educate, Create, Congregate

Thursday, January 12 • Come rendezvous with your fellow creatives! Whether you are an instructor or an artist, this mixer is for you! Join us and meet some new faces and see some familiar ones while enjoying light refreshments.

While this event is free, an RSVP is required.

RSVP →

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Citrus Circus: Into the Fruit Bowl

Saturday, January 7• Bring your blankets and chairs and come join the girls at Citrus Circus for an exciting journey into the fruit bowl, where the circus comes alive and your imagination sparks! Inspired by the beauty and fun of the tropics and the sassy sweetness of delicious fruit, this family-friendly production is sure to delight audiences of all ages!

From hula hoops to contortion to aerial acrobatics, this show has it all!
Citrus Circus is a local Southwest Florida circus troupe offering shows, acts for events, and classes around SWFL where YOU can learn the fun and beauty of circus, too!

Purchase Tickets→

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Outdoor Bluegrass Concert (Lonesome Rangers & Frank Corso)

Sunday, January 8 • Join fellow music lovers for another of our popular Outdoor Bluegrass concerts. The concert will be held on our Green Market Stage. Gates open at 2:00 p.m. with Lonesome Rangers playing at 3:00 p.m. and Frank Corso taking the stage at 4:00 p.m. Chairs and coolers are permitted.

Purchase Tickets →

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Fort Myers Fake Fest

Saturday, January 14 • Fort Myers Fake Fest, Tribute Bands and Beer Stands in Fort Myers, Florida, is a REAL festival showcasing nationally and internationally acclaimed Tribute Bands, along with one of the largest beer showcases in Southwest Florida!

A Family-Friendly Event at Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers, Florida

Fake Fest is run by Nice Guys Production and is hosted at the Alliance for the Arts.

Purchase Tickets →

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5th Annual TOUCH-A-TRUCK

Saturday, January 21 • Join the Alliance for the Arts at Saint Michael Lutheran School for their annual Touch a Truck Event! TOUCH-A-TRUCK is a hands-on interactive experience that allows kids to get up close with vehicles of all kinds. This event gives truck-obsessed toddlers and young children a chance to turn their imagination into reality. Kids can honk horns, open doors, climb into the driver’s seat, and learn from community leaders and vehicle operators. Outreach and Volunteer opportunities available!

Find Out More →

Volunteer Sign-Up →

Classes and Workshops This Month and Beyond

You now have 365 opportunities to take risks, hustle like a pro and hit all your goals with an art class! Upcoming lineup includes:

Adult & Teen
• Mosaic Mania
• Larger Than Life Watercolors (16+)
• Back to Basic: Acrylic Painting with Pat Smelkoff
• Fluid Art Series: Flip Cup Fun
• Zentangle for the Seasons
• Fine Art Acrylic-Plein Air Painting (18+)
• Neurographica (13+)
• Fine Art Acrylics (18+)
• Classical Painting with Terry Lynn: Morning Class, Afternoon Class or Painting Studio
• Paint like Bob Ross Package (13+)
• FUNdamentals of Painting Like Bob Ross “Fluffy Clouds” (13+)
• Paint Like Bob Ross “A Calm Day Sailing” (13+)
• Paint like Bob Ross “Sescape” (13+)
• Landscape and Drawing Perspective
• Draw and Paint Portraits (16+)
• Redefining Now: Female Artists in the 21st Century Lecture
• The Color of Music: Abstract Painting (18+)
• Meaning in Contemporary Painting (18+)
• Step-by-Step Batik-A Slice of Italy
• Fantastic Florals
• Getting Your Art Into the Retail Environment Series: Workshop 1-Demystifying Wholesale for Artists & Makers
• Intro to Leather Working-Small Journal
• Intro to Tribal Belly Dance
• Beginning Belly Dance
• Palette Knife Painting in Oil from Landscape Photography (16+)
• The Art and Craft of the Personal Story
• Playing with Pastel One Day Workshop
• Neurographica (13+)
• Mosaic Jewelry Making
• Out of the Shadows: Female Artists of the 18-20th Centuries Lecture
• Painting in Today’s World (18+)
• Jumpstart Watercolor Basics (16+)
• Can Control 101AM (13-18)

Youth
• Hula Dance (Ages 3-9)
• Hula Dance (10+)
• Homeschool Art Class (K-2nd)
• Homeschool Art Class (3rd-6th)
• Homeschool Art Class (7th-12th)
• Homeschool Open Studio (3rd-12th)
• ArtPlay: Visual Arts (8+)
• Painting with Eunique (ages 5-10)
• Rising Artist Experience-Mixed Media (Ages 5-9)
• Free Family ArtLab
• Manga and Pizza (12-18)

Register →

View All Classes →

Monthly Wednesday Night Market

Wednesday, January 11, 5-8:00 pm • Join us every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 5 pm to 8 pm for our monthly pop-up Market. We feature a selection of fresh produce, art, live music, food trucks, beer and wine.

Interested in becoming a vendor? Email Emily at [email protected]

Find Out More →

View Photos from December's Market →

37th Annual All Florida Exhibition

Deadline to Submit is Monday, January 23 • This annual show is the most anticipated of the year. As the name suggests, this exhibition features pieces created by artists working in a wide variety of media from all over the 65,000 square miles that make up Florida. The juried entries come together for an award-winning and exciting exhibition representing today’s contemporary Florida artist

Find Out More →

Download Prospectus →

Storm Stories: Stories of Ian

“Storm Stories” is part of our Therapeutic Outreach, created in response to the emotional impact of Hurricane Ian. “Storm Stories” will have a dedicated voicemail, 239-744-3047, as well as a way to submit written and recorded responses, allowing you to share your unique experience and express your emotions. Anyone who had an experience, big or small, with Hurricane Ian is invited to participate. Both mediums launched earlier this month.

Artistic leeway will then be given to local artists to share these stories with the community. This project will culminate in a multi-media, artistic expression exhibition in September 2023.

Find Out More →

Share Your Story →

ArtPlay: We Need Instructors

ArtPlay camps and classes, in partnership with Family Initiative, are designed for students with with autism spectrum disorder to learn identity development, self-esteem and positive coping skills through visual arts, dance, acting, music and more!

We are looking to broaden our offering. If you, or someone you know. is interested in teaching one of our classes, please contact Jessica at [email protected].

We are in need of buttons for kid crafts at our outreach events! please consider dropping some off next time you are in the neighborhood!
Thank you! Questions? Email [email protected]

December 24- January 2 • In observance of the holidays, and to give our staff a well-deserved break, we will be closed from December 24th-January 2nd. We will reopen on January 3rd to begin our busy January!

Alliance for the Arts • ArtInLee.org
239-939-2787 • 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers

Membership • Donate • Classes • Exhibits • Theatre • Digital Art Lab

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!

Alliance for the Arts | 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33919