'Pearls' by Karen S. Johnson PROVIDED

The Alliance for the Arts invites the public to its opening reception of Moving Roots: Mariapia Malerba on Oct. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. The free event features the works of the artist as well as light refreshments provided by Jayne Baker. The exhibit will be on view from Oct. 6-28, at 10091 McGregor Blvd., in Fort Myers.

The gallery will be completely wrapped from top to bottom in larger-than-life artwork, transforming it into a portal of imagination, a silent participant, a tapestry of monochromatic hues with fleeting touches of crimson, recounting the enchanting tale of “Moving Roots and the Comic Adventure.” This exhibit beckons souls “to embark, to delve within, to illuminate the unknown.” “https://www.artinlee.org/event/mariapia/” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>Moving Roots invites viewers to explore the depths of their being, “leaving a trail of questions, emotions and insights.”

Mariapia Malerba is an Italian-American artist who was born in Puglia, a region in Southern Italy. She studied art in high school and went on to study at Accademia di Belle Arti, a fine art institute in Lecce,Italy. After earning a degree in art, with primary coursework in scenography, set design, and costume history, Mariapia moved to Lake Como in Lombardy, Italy to work as a textile designer. She has created textile designs for well-known fashion designers including Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Cavalli. Her work has been showcased in various galleries all over Italy and America.

As a multidisciplinary artist, Malerba employs in her practice different media: painting, installation, fashion and video, all of which she weaves into her creative palette. In her work she strives to create art that captures the profound beauty and vulnerability of the natural world, while exploring the reality of our relationship with one another, with the world and most importantly, with life itself.

In the Theatre Gallery: Karen S. Johnson

'Moving Roots' by Mariapia Malerba PROVIDED

Karen S. Johnson relocated to sunny Cape Coral in 2019 to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a full-time artist. Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, IL, Karen has been an artist at heart since childhood. She spent 30 years as a professional hair stylist in Naperville, IL, while always taking workshops from talented artists in Illinois and Florida, where she soon became a member of both Cape Coral and Fort Myers art leagues.

In the Member Gallery: David Hampton

David Hampton describes his work as an artistic effort to paint his life experiences. Channeling Edvard Munch, he views his pieces as his soul’s diary, works of self-confession that he hopes will help others realize that we are all human and therefore never truly strangers.

About Alliance for the Arts

The Alliance for the Arts is a nonprofit community visual and performing arts center located in the heart of Fort Myers, Florida. Since 1975, the Alliance has been committed to transforming lives and improving community through the arts. The Alliance campus and galleries are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. just south of Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. For more information, call 239-939-2787, visit us at ArtInLee.org, find us on Facebook, Instagram.

Source: Alliance for the Arts