Galleries gear up for March Creative Coast Weekend
Featuring everything from mermaids to musicians, the March Creative Coast weekend is sure to have something for everyone.
Kicking things off on Friday, March 13, Julia’s Arts in the heart of Matlacha will host an opening reception from 2 to 9 p.m. featuring artist Alice Hansen. All are welcome to Julia’s to meet Hansen and enjoy her artwork, which depicts fish, birds and charming scenes of Florida all in bright colors with interesting textures.
In Bokeelia on Friday evening, Koucky Gallery an Garden will also host an artist reception featuring the work of Luke Buck. He is making a return visit to Pine Island and his watercolor paintings depict local landscapes and wildlife. Buck will be on hand to answer questions about his work Friday, March 13, from 4 to 8 p.m.
On Saturday, March 14, mermaids will descend on Matlacha as Bert’s Pine Bay Gallery and Gifts presents the second annual Mermaid Fest from 4 to 8 p.m.
During this event, residents and visitors are encouraged to don their best mermaid garb and vie for prizes. Awards will be presented to the best mermaid costume and for the youngest as well as oldest mermaids. During the festivities, Pine Island’s own mermaid will make a special appearance. Bokeelia resident Jo deShaw is a retired Wikee Watchee Mermaid. Also featured at Pine Bay will be the artwork produced by Katie Gardenia and island jewelry maker Lynne Smith.
Julia’s Arts also will participate in this year’s Mermaid Festival on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. This day at the gallery will feature a “Siren” themed art display with art that is both functional and decorative. Julia’s also will offer a costume contest and refreshments. Demonstrations and workshops also will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning with a soft sculpture mermaid workshop with Nancy Woodling.
Visitors to Julia’s will be given the opportunity to produce their own soft sculptured mermaid which is an art doll measuring about seven inches in length with a polymer clay face. The figures will be ready for participants to add hair and fins selected from a variety of sheer materials, decorative yarns and other embellishments. This workshop will be held outdoors under a tent at Julia’s and all are welcome to participate for a nominal fee to cover the cost of supplies.
Deborah Zwetsch will be demonstrating her work in the gallery’s studio with her hand-painted silk designs. Beginning at 3 p.m., live music will be provided by the local performers the “Bombaleros,” a rock ‘n roll band featuring Joe Bomba on guitar and vocals, Brett on drums and vocals and Seth on bass and vocals.
On both Friday and Saturday, the WildChild Gallery in Matlacha will be a hub of activity as seven area artists will be on hand to display their work and provide demonstrations both inside and outside of the gallery. The featured artist will be Joyce Reed with her display of sculptured shoes. Also on hand will be Ann Harrison with watercolor paintings, ‘Ele Solterra with glass and clay bead jewelry, Heidi Sobanga with works in oils, Marsha Berger with paper mache’, Pam Allen with concrete sculptures and Lisa Tully with beaded woven jewelry.
Also on Saturday at Koucky’s, Luke Buck will be back with a watercolor workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is an opportunity to work with Buck, an internationally known watercolor artist, as he shares his techniques and years of experience.
Other participating galleries during the Creative Coast Weekend include Traders Hitching Post, Elena’s, Seaweed Gallery, Bonnie’s Art Gallery and Bluewater Trading Company, Lovegrove Gallery and Gardens and Sea Star Boutique and Gallery in Matlacha, Florida Gallery, Crossed Palms Gallery and Wigert Mango Grove and Nursery in Bokeelia, Berreitter Photography and Gallery, Earth and Spirit Garden Gallery and Paisley Parrot in St. James City.
For more information about Creative Coast Weekends sponsored in part by the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, visit floridascreativecoast.com or for more information about the participating galleries, go to galleriesofpineisland.com