Ring in the new year with Art Night
Learn a new art form and dance the night away during the January Art Night. Several participating galleries on Pine Island and in Matlacha will offer opportunities to participate in workshops and to view demonstrations provided by noted area artists such as Marie Cahill, Georgia Glarrow, Nancy Woodling and Cindy Cone.
At WildChild Gallery in Matlacha, photographer, Cindy Cone will be the featured artist during the January open reception at the gallery. The show “Our World” will feature images familiar to those living in a sub-tropical climate such as Pine Island. Among her work, visitors to the gallery will see stunning photographs of egrets, rosette spoonbills and other birds indigenous to Pine Island as well as those from faraway Africa.
The open reception with Cone will take place on Friday, Jan. 14, from 2 to 9 p.m. and her work will be prominently displayed at WildChild through the month of January. In addition to the open reception, on Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. more than a dozen artists will render artwork in a variety of mediums in the back yard of the gallery.
Fabric and beads will be the draw to Island Visions in Matlacha on Jan. 14, as two noted artists will be on hand to demonstrate their techniques to producing wearable art pieces. On Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. join Nancy Woodling as she demonstrates the fine art of incorporating beading into fine fabrics and on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Sandi Fisher will demonstrate her technique of creating beaded jewelry.
Across the road, the newly opened Syzygy Gallery will feature the work of Fort Myers artist, Lisa Freidus. The award-winning freelance artists is known for her work in a variety of mediums which include watercolor, acrylic and collage in an impressionistic style. Freidus’ work will be on display at Syzygy on Friday and Saturday. Featured at the front of the gallery on Sunday will be a show from woodworking artist, Jack Glos. Everyone is welcome to come in and browse among Glos’ creations of a vast array of fish items.
At the foot of the Matlacha Bridge, visitors to Bert’s Pine Bay Gallery are welcome to attend an art opening featuring the work of local artist, Marie Cahill. The art opening will take place on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. featuring paintings and other objects that reflect the feel of downtown Matlacha. Then on Saturday, from 1 to 5 p.m., join Georgia Glarrow for a demonstration in mosaic design.
Also in Matlacha, Leoma Lovegrove with Lovegrove Gallery and Gardens will be on hand to welcome guests and provide a place to relax in the serene backyard garden.
Traveling to St. James City, everyone is invited to stop in at Earth and Spirit Garden Gallery on Maria Drive on Friday, Jan. 14, for an evening of campfire story telling. Beginning at 8 p.m. members of the Calusa Ghost Tours will make tales of yesteryear come alive and then on Saturday and Sunday through out the day, “Local Meets Global” will be the theme for a demonstration in printmaking and small oils with Joan Culver. Later in the afternoon from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. visitors to Earth and Spirit will be offered the opportunity to participate in a workshop learning the exciting rhythms of West African Drumming.
Back in Matlacha, Kip Lawrence of the Yard Dogs will host the annual FISHFEST Concert. Bring a lawn chair and a cooler to relax and enjoy musical performances by local musicians; Strange Arrangement, Kip Lawrence, Brian Travis and Michelle Bundy. This is a free event hosted by the Olde Fish House Marina, however, all attending are asked to help re-supply the Pine Island Food Pantry after a busy holiday season of giving. Donations of non-perishable food items or money will be accepted during the evening beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 14.
For more information about this year’s participating galleries during Art Night, visit galleriesofpineisland.com