Art Association Expands Summer Activities

The Fort Myers Beach Art Association is ramping up its normally quiet summer season. Plans include 24 free Saturday art talks, more short workshops and monthly wine and cheese.

From April 18 through October, the group will hold free one-hour art talks at its gallery in Fort Myers most Saturdays, except for holidays. The public is invited to learn about a variety of useful art topics, including how to frame properly, how to make greeting cards or how to paint animal portraits.

The 11 am Saturday talks are followed by an informal discussion, where participants may also bring their lunch. See the list of the free talks HERE.

“I’m excited to see our expanded summer schedule,” Suzan Lanz, incoming president, said. “It’s a sign that we are listening to our members and growing into a better organization.”

Also new this summer, the art association has added workshops in silver-clay jewelry-making, pastel techniques and acrylic pouring. Studio sessions where artists can get help from an experienced teacher are also planned. These events have a fee, but are open to everyone. 

See the HERE. Normally, these activities were confined to the winter season.

When it moved to its Fort Myers gallery a year ago, the group discovered that two-thirds of its members were full-time Florida residents who were here in the summer. This was a drastic change from the pre-pandemic, pre-Hurricane Ian days, when two-thirds of members were seasonal. Since the move to Fort Myers, about 50 more members have joined, mostly full-timers.

That change is reflected in its new leaders, including Suzan Lanz, a Fort Myers artist who becomes president in April. Six of the 11 board members are full-time Florida residents.

Last summer, the group began rotating summer art exhibits in its gallery, instead of a single summer exhibit. Three shows will be held this summer. When summer hours begin Thur., April 16, the gallery is open to the public Thursday-Saturday from noon to 6 pm. 

For a list of shows, GO HERE.

Free wine and cheese will be offered on the first Friday of every month, including summer, from 4-6 pm. This ties in with a monthly reception at the nearby Alliance for the Arts, and Art Walk in downtown Fort Myers.

The art association’s outdoor, or plein air, painters have been going out year-round for several years. Except for the hottest days, they paint every Wednesday and Saturday through the summer. Anyone may join them. See the weekly schedule HERE

The Fort Myers Beach Art Association & Gallery, a 501c3 non-profit, is at 13451 McGregor Blvd., Unit 1 in Cypress Square, Fort Myers. The group began on Fort Myers Beach 75 years ago and was there until Hurricane Ian destroyed its gallery. Visit: fortmyersbeachart.com.