Works by Displaced Artists of Matlacha to be featured in Cape Coral Library art gallery
The latest exhibit sponsored by the Friends of the Cape Coral Library will be open during regular business hours from Nov. 5 through Dec. 29. The Cape Coral Library is located at 921 S.W. 39th Terrace, off of Mohawk Parkway.
The walls of the art gallery will feature paintings by award-winning artist Elaine Weissborn and photographs by Ron Lindensmith. On display in the three cases will be a variety of 3-D artwork and small paintings by a group of nine talented individuals who refer to themselves as the “Displaced Artists of Matlacha” or “DAM” for short.
The Displaced Artists of Matlacha is a group of artists who were displaced from galleries located in Matlacha in the wake of the damage caused by Hurricane lan. Many of them were represented at the Wild Child Gallery, which was a proud part of the business community located along the Matlacha Pass for over 25 years. During those years friendships grew and the artists stayed in touch after the devastating storm. Now they get together informally for lunch each month, rotate the meeting places in their respective hometowns located from Port Charlotte down to Fort Myers, and continue to encourage and support each other on their artistic journeys.
The DAM artists in the show are Beth Lane Williams (pine needle and mixed media sculptures), Diane Palmquist (ceramic arts), Jacqueline Philp “JAX” (acrylics, mixed media paintings), Kathy Fitzgerald (stained glass), Lenea Howe (contemporary folk art in paper clay with mixed media), Nancy Cunningham (acrylic, mixed media paintings), Pat St. Onge (acrylic, mixed media paintings), Sandi Davis (silverware) and Theresa Shelton (oil and watercolor paintings).
Weissborn has been interested in art and nature from an early age. She earned a bachelor’s degree in medical technology and later in life a master’s degree in library information and science. After more than 20 years of service with the Lee County Library System, she retired and was finally able to seriously pursue the creative arts. She studied with several instructors at the Pine Island Art Association and the Cape Coral Art League, winning awards at both organizations. She works mostly in acrylic paints, but has recently tried her hand with watercolors. She enjoys combining her interests in photography as well as painting and frequently paints from her own photographic images. Her photographs have been recognized by the Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough, the Friends of Cape Coral Wildlife Burrowing Owl Photo Contest and Florida Scenic Highways. Her photos have also been featured in CHNEP annual calendars,
Lindensmith became interested in photography when he got a Polaroid Swinger as a high school graduation present. While racing sports cars was his hobby, photographing race cars then became a passion. When he moved to Florida, wildlife and travel photography joined his list of interests. Most recently, photos of the sun and moon rising and setting have become a focus of his attention. He has won awards from the Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough and at the Cape Coral Art League. He has also had the honor of having his work published in the CHNEP annual calendar
For information on exhibitions at this library, contact Art Gallery Chairperson, Monica Rahman, by email to gallery@capefriends.org or visit www.capefriends.org. Follow “Friends of the Cape Coral Library” on Facebook.