Programs this week at FGCU Academy
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 Roses are Red, April wasn’t Grey. In a few days, it’s going to be May! We’re thrilled to be hosting the Biennial Artist Grand Recipient Exhibition this year. Featuring both visual and performance artists who received the Fort Myers Arts & Culture Grant in either 2022 or 2023. In the Gallery May 3 – June 1. Opening Reception: May 3, 5-7pm. Our Foulds Theatre is buzzing this month with An Evening of Jazz, Flamencondanza, Disorder in the Court, Alice by Heart and all wrapping up with Fringe Fort Myers 2024. Friendly reminder that Lee Schools are out for the summer at the end of this month. Don’t miss the chance to sign your kiddo(s) up for our popular Summer Arts Camps! May’s Featured Gallery Exhibit  Biennial Artist Grant Recipient Exhibition In the Gallery May 3 – June 1 • Opening Reception: May 3, 5-7pm • The exhibition showcases the work of visual artists Linda Benson, Stacey Brown, Martha De La Cruz, Lily Hatchett, and Roland Ruocco. In addition, at 6:00 pm in the Alliance’s Foulds Theatre, Gulfshore Ballet will perform an excerpt from Tchaikovsky’s renowned Sleeping Beauty ballet specially choreographed by Gulf- shore Ballet Artistic Directors (and former Miami City Ballet principal dancers) Iliana Lopez and Franklin Gamero, followed by Lily Hatchett’s Paper Grotto featuring her fabled TechnoDogs. Each visual artist and performance group in the show received an Arts & Culture Grant from the City in 2022 or 2023, or both grant cycles. The City of Fort Myers Arts & Culture Grant program is designed to support and foster the arts organizations and individual artists who contribute to the flourish- ing arts and culture scene that distinguishes the City. About the Artists Linda Benson is a seasoned artist here in Southwest Florida and has always sur- rounded herself with art. Benson worked for over 20 years as a professional creative artist, working on the mainland and the islands. As a retired commercial artist, she now channels her creative energies into teaching art. For the last 10 years she has been teaching all ages and levels in Punta Gorda, Naples, Cape Coral, Fort Myers and on Sanibel and Captiva. Stacey Brown is a native Southwest Florida artist who works primarily in mixed media paintings and collage art on canvas and paper. Combining acrylic paint with ink, pencil, pen, marker, ephemera, painted papers, stamping and etchings, Brown creates many layers to help the viewer’s eye keep searching and discovering new aspects with each viewing. Martha De la Cruz is an Afro-Taino artist who utilizes videos, installations and sculpture to investigate issues of coloniality, decolonization, identity, race, and power. Her practice is guided by her colonial wound and the desire to change the realities of the global south. She received her BFA in sculpture in 2020 from the University of South Florida and her MFA in 2023 from the University of Oxford. Lily Hatchett is a full-time artist, performance artist, musician, photographer and independent filmmaker, with a substantial body of work. Performing with paper, her Paper Grotto Live sculptures become containers for video, dance and music. Drawing led to painting, sculpture, dance, music, photography, video, design, fabrication, publishing and touring. Roland Ruocco conveys his perception of the world around him through artworks that involve diverse subject matter, artistic styles, and media. Sometimes, depending on his mood and inspiration, identifying problems and offering solutions, other times focusing on the beauty of nature, or perhaps industrial design. Theatre Gallery Artist: Birds of Paradise from Paradise by Carolyn Gora Carolyn’s artistic endeavors include designing jewelry and creating fused glass pieces. Currently she works in many mediums including fiber and glass lamp work. Her latest venture is her Birds of Paradise from Paradise. Originally, the idea came from her birds of paradise that finally bloom- ed after being dormant for years. She created bird of paradise characters to illustrate clever sayings that mention birds, birds of paradise, or gardens. Members Gallery Artist: LAEA Art Educator Exhibition The Lee Art Education Association (LAEA) is an organization of art teachers from both public and private institutions throughout Lee County. This group of talented artists and educators are excited to share some of their personal and professional artwork with the community. A wide variety of mediums and subject matters will be represented in this show, but the common theme will be the love and passion of educating and inspiring our local youth to take pride in the arts. Find Out More → View All Events → Music at the Alliance  Katelyn & Jules: An Evening of Jazz Saturday, May 4, 7:30 pm • Join us for a special evening of Jazz, featuring Katelyn Gravel & Julian Sundby (Jules). Katelyn and Jules have been performing together for over a decade. In 2011 they met at a blind audition when an agent asked them to play for a venue owner. Having never played together, they quickly found a song to present, My Funny Valentine. They are continuing work on their EP and have released three singles, My Love, Rise and Fall and a 60th Anniversary release of Roy Orbison’s Candy Man that features the same harmonica player on the original, Charlie McCoy. They have played together at The Bluebird in Nashville and throughout SWFL. Get Tickets → View All Events → Youth Theatre at the Alliance  Alice by Heart May 23-26, 2:00 & 7:30 pm • From the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress), Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonder- land. Alice by Heart explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss, and finding the courage to move forward. This world premiere musical encourages us all to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times. Find Out More → View All Events →  1946- A Film Screening Wednesday, May 8, 6:00-9:00 pm • 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture is a feature documentary that follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946. It chronicles the discovery of never-before-seen archives at Yale University which unveil astonishing new revelations, and casts significant doubt on any biblical basis for LGBTQIA+ prejudice. Featuring commentary from prominent scholars as well as opposing pastors, including the personal stories of the film’s creators, 1946 is at once challenging, enlightening, and inspiring. Join fellow film lovers for the exclusive screening of 1945: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture, part of the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers in our Art House Cinema. Hang out after the screening for an intimate Q&A session with one of the directors/producers of the film and a surprise moderator from WGCU! Tickets are available on Eventbrite and $10 for Alliance members and $12 for non- members. Find Out More → View All Events →  Wednesday Night Market Wednesday, May 8, 5-8:00 pm • Join us under the stars every second Wednesday of the month from 5 pm to 8 pm for our pop-up Night Market. We feature a selection of art, live music, food trucks and beer and wine. There will be a free family art activity hosted by our own Youth Education Coordinator, Minna Maillakakis. Interested in becoming a vendor? Fill out the vendor application here. Find Out More → View All Events →  Open Mic at Wednesday Night Market Wednesday, May 8, 5-8:00 pm • Join us for Open Mic at the Night Market, celebrating local musicians. Enjoy live performances in a vibrant atmosphere. Register online to participate. Basic sound system provided. Limited to one song or 5 minutes per performer. Spread the word and join us for an evening of talent and community spirit! Interested in participating? Click here. Find Out More → View All Events →  Flamencodanza Friday, May 10, 7:30 – 9:00 pm • Flamencodanza is an international duo collaboration based in Spain that started five years ago at the Avignon Festival in France. Elements of Flamenco, Brazilian music and jazz give the music a variety of colors. These elements fuse together in a unique manner producing an award-winning show with beauty and inspiration. The contemporary flamenco dance is made of strength, elegance and beauty. Get Tickets → View All Events →  Oops! We’re a Troupe! Presents Disorder in the Court Saturday, May 11, 7:30 – 9:00 pm • Oops, We’re A Troupe, local improv, presents Disorder In The Court. A fully improvised, long form, musical Courtroom Drama… minus the drama! Be part of the fun by making suggestions along the way! Expect the unexpected in this hilarious 90-minute show, where everything is made up on the spot! Oops, We’re a Troupe has been performing together all over southwest Florida since the pandemic, featuring Adam Santa Fe, Caitlynn Wilde, Julian Sundby and Lucy Sundby. This performance will feature special guests from all over southwest Florida and Tampa. Get Tickets → View All Events →  F*ckup Nights Vol. 5 Thursday, May 16, 5:00 pm • No Judgement. No Bias. No Preachy Lessons. Just F.U.N. F*ckup Nights is a global movement (300+ cities, 90 countries) focusing on how failure can transform into radical solutions that help people make better decisions and challenge the status quo. At our events in Fort Myers, we create the environment, exposure, and experience to radically change the way we think about failure. You will hear 3 never-before-heard stories of professional failures to encourage vulnerability, authenticity, and empathy among all those in attendance. After each story, we will allow some time for questions, letting curiosity and conversation flourish. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience a newfound sense of purpose, connection and belonging. SPEAKERS 🎤 Richard Smith: CEO of Alignmeant Global LLC 🎤 Maddy Eagle: CEO and Founder of FlyingEagle Kombucha 🎤 Kinfay Moroti: Storytelling Strategist for Better Together Get Tickets → View All Events →  Check Out Our Gift Shop Tues.-Fri. 9 am-7 pm, Sat. 9 am – 1 pm • Did you know we have a Gift Shop FULL of unique, one-of-a-kind items crafted by our Alliance Members? Everything from jewelry and greeting cards to artwork and books! The Gift Shop is open during business hours, so be sure to swing by and find your next treasure. The Alliance is open Tuesday-Friday 9 am – 7 pm and Saturday 9 am – 1 pm. Check Out Our E-Store → Become a Vendor →  Bloom & Wallace Digital Arts Lab Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5 – 8 pm • Introducing Open Lab Hours! Beginning this month, participants 18+ (or accompanied by an adult) can utilize our state-of-the-art digital arts lab! Our 11 Dell Precision 3460 Small Form Factor CPU and Dell UltraSharp 27″ Monitor all feature Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps, Davinci Resolve, Blender and Kindle Comic Creator. Three of the computers also feature Autodesk AutoCAD. Capacity is limited to 10 participants per session. A Code of Conduct does apply. Find out more here: Bloom & Wallace Digital Arts Lab – Alliance for the Arts (artinlee.org)  Art Classes for All Ages and Abilities Your creative journey starts with you, so pick your level and don’t stop until you get to your destination. Upcoming classes include: ADULT & TEEN –Instructed Life Drawing with Francesco (18+) –Painting Impressionistic Flowers –Painting with Francesco (18+) –Sunsets and Silhouettes Painting (Ages 18+) –Getting Your Art in Retail Environments –Beginner Bonsai –Discovering Soulcollage –Fluid Art Master Class: Thick Paints –Zentangle for the Seasons –Fluid Art: The Diptych –Bring Your Own Bonsai Tree Workshop –How to Photograph Your Own Work YOUTH CLASSES –Manga Night (Ages 12-18) –Free Family ArtLab Register → View All Classes →  Free Family ArtLab Saturday, May 18 • Make creativity part of your family routine the 3rd Saturday of each month during Family ArtLab! Drop in for free, hands-on family fun from 10 a.m. to noon. Explore something new every month like art making, gallery activities, games and more – all inspired by artworks on view in the gallery, famous artists, national holidays and artistic traditions around the world. All ages and abilities are encouraged to participate. Find Out More → View All Events →  Registration Open Now for Summer Break Camp June 10 – August 2, 2024 • Join us this summer to explore the engaging history of our world, learn about famous artists, create themed art projects, play games and make memories with friends. Each one week session will be a new theme: Learn about famous artists, Discover evidence of prehistoric dinosaurs. Create amazing creatures that live under the ocean. All by exploring the arts with art projects. Create, play games and make memories with new and old friends this summer at the Alliance! Art Exploration Summer Camp is open to those ages 7-11. Camp Hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Extended Care: 8 – 8:45 am and 4:10 – 5:00 pm. Mini Explorers Half-Day Camp offers children ages 4-6 years old the chance to engage in themed days filled with art, games, music, and a dress up day. Camp Hours: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. NO Extended Care Available- Camper MUST be picked up by 12:00 pm. Find Out More → View All Events → Call to Artists  Metamorphosis: Member Exhibition Apply by June 30 • We invite our current members to submit one work following the theme “Metamorphosis” to be displayed in the main gallery during this month-long group exhibition. As an artist and an Alliance member, this is your annual opportunity to exhibit your work in our main gallery! No online submission process, no jury notification – simply the opportunity to celebrate the artists that make our artistic community so unique. The theme “Metamorphosis” calls to mind concepts of transformation and change, it can explore how people, nature, and society undergo metamorphoses over time. Artists could interpret this theme through depictions of personal evolution, environmental shifts, societal upheavals, or even the lifecycle of creatures undergoing metamorphosis, such as butterflies or frogs. It could evoke feelings of transition, adaptation, and renewal, encouraging viewers to reflect on the cyclical nature of transformation and the beauty found within the process of change. Find Out More → View All Call to Artists →  DAAS CO-OP Welcome to our new neighbors! DAAS CO-OP is now located in the Edwards Building at 10051 McGregor Blvd, Ste 104. Southwest Florida’s premier Art Gallery, featuring some of the best artists of our area. The gallery operates in a cooperative system, which means everyone participates, collaborates, coordinates and tends to all business matters. The artists of DAAS CO-OP pride themselves in the quality of their works and the professionalism of our displays. Open Wed-Sun 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and First Fridays 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM.   Alliance for the Arts • ArtInLee.org 239-939-2787 • 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers Membership • Donate • Classes • Exhibits • Theatre • DAAS CO-OP Bloom & Wallace Digital Arts Lab  |