Earth and Spirit to host several Creative Coast events this season
Among the first things those visiting Earth and Spirit Garden Gallery in St. James City is the strong focus this facility has on preserving a healthy environment. This will be more evident during the course of this year’s “Art Season” on Pine Island and the owners of Earth and Spirit will encourage others to follow suite by encouraging responsibility and through the world of art.
“As a way of highlighting our commitment to social responsibility, fair trade and support of local artists, we will celebrate ‘Local meets Global’ during each of this year’s Creative Coast Weekends,” said gallery owner, Diane Lampitt. “We will highlight a local artist and a fair trade artisan who create in order to make the world a better place. Each artisan has a unique story, purpose and passion. We wanted to create an event where people could get to know the person and meaning behind the artwork.”
In addition to meeting artists and understanding their work, Earth and Spirit also will be hosting a new event that will take place every Friday evening.
“We will be presenting a series we call ‘Storytelling Around the Fire’ which will be lead by the folks from Calusa Ghost Tours,” said Lampitt. “We encourage everyone to bring a lawn chair and join us around the fire pit at Earth and Spirit Garden Gallery to be transported back in time.”
During this week’s, first-of-the-season Creative Coast Weekends, Oct. 8, 9 and 10, festivities will commence on Friday evening at 8 p.m. with the first of the Calusa Ghost Tours Storytelling Around the Fire. Then on Saturday, children’s author, Laura Schulkins will be facilitating a children’s workshop beginning at 11 a.m. along with metal artist, Comite Artisanal of Haiti with featured works in this unique medium.
On Nov. 12, 13 and 14, the fireside tales will continue as well as a “local meets global” highlight presented by Erica Suarez who will demonstrate the technique of recycling vintage jewelry along with pottery from Mano Amigas of Peru.
During the Jan. 14, 15 and 16 Creative Coast weekend, Earth and Spirit will again feature the fire side storytelling as well as a Global Highlight with Joan Culver with print making and small oils along with a demonstration from Comparte co-op from Chile. Then on Sunday, Jan. 16, from 2 to 3:15 p.m. will be a West African Drum workshop.
The Feb. 11, 12 and 13 weekend brings back the Calusa Ghost Tours with the regular Friday evening session and more West African Drum and Dance workshops for adults with St. James City resident, Ndakhte Ndiaye on Saturday from 2 to 3:15 p.m. and on Sunday, Ndiaye will conduct a children’s workshop from 2 to 3:15 p.m. The February Global Highlight will be African artisans co-op from Ghana.
March 11, 12 and 13 will kick off with the Calusa Ghost Tour stories followed by a presentation in pottery with island resident Barb Darling and the Global Highlight will focus on sustainable threads from India.
Wrapping up the art night season, on April 8, 9 and 10, the Calusa Ghost Tours will host its final fire side story telling at 8 p.m. Then on Saturday, join Deb Z with hand painted silks and the Global Highlight series will finish up with Malia Designs from Southeast Asia.
For more information about other activities hosted at Earth and Spirit Garden Gallery, located on Maria Drive in St. James City, call 282-1025.