Downtown Fort Myers Art Walk showcases new features in May
The fifth monthly Art Walk of the year will be Friday, May 1, in the Downtown Fort Myers River District. The May Art Walk will feature new art exhibitions, performances by students from the Young Artists Awards Program and a free, one-act play.
May is the eighth time for the monthly Art Walk that debuted in October of 2008. Held the first Friday of every month from 6 to 10 p.m., Art Walk showcases local and national artwork in the downtown art galleries of the Fort Myers River District. The evening culminates with an after party at 10 p.m. The May after party will be held at the H2 on Bay Street.
Participants in May’s monthly Art Walk include the Alliance for the Arts, Art League of Fort Myers, Arts for ACT Gallery and Boutique, ArtFest Fort Myers, Karen L. Benson Interior Designs, The Butterfly Estates, daas Gallery, Enjewel, Oasis Luxury Condos, H2, Hotel Indigo, HOWL Gallery, Space 39 Gallery and the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center.
Here are some highlights of what the Friday, May 1 Art Walk will feature:
– Alliance for the Arts/Relay for Life (at Centennial Park): Cheer on the teams and see artwork from patients of the Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Oncology/Hematology Program.
– Art League of Fort Myers: Opening of the Still Life fine arts show with awards and reception from 6-7:30 p.m. Also a student singer from the Young Artists Awards Program will perform.
– Arts for ACT Gallery: Opening reception for May’s exhibit featuring artists Jan-Ellen Atkielski, Christine Vernier-Pesce, Susan Bigelow and Edward Morgan. Musical entertainment will be provided by Rick Brugger on steel drums.
– The Butterfly Estates: showcasing the work of nature photographer Allen Tiller and recycle eco-artist Jason Fritzsche.
– Community Art Showcase at Harborside Event Center: New exhibit entitled Creative Students Unleashed featuring Le County high school artists (coordinated by ArtFest Fort Myers). A pianist from Young Artists Awards Program will perform.
– daas Gallery: Opening of an exhibit featuring visual artist/photographer Paul Rodino.
– HOWL Gallery: Closing reception for “Left Hand Side – Florida West Coast Artists” featuring artists Derek Deal, Chet Loggins, Heather Gabel, Vyd, James Dormer Schneider, Horsebites, Eric Lorette, Heather Clough, Andy Howl, Ana Caballero and Donald Murphy.
– Space 39: A new exhibit showcasing the works of the students of Florida Gulf Coast University.
– Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center: A free, one-act play at 7 p.m. called This Property is Condemned.
Another highlight of the evening is the weekly Friday Night Live in the Patio de Leon. Local band Grits & Gravy will perform from 6 to 9 p.m.
Along with the art galleries, many restaurants and other businesses will support the monthly walk by being open and offering various specials. Now becoming quite the collector’s item, Art Walk buttons will be available at galleries that night.
A free shuttle service, with stops planned near the art venues, and free parking at the Harborside Event Center will be available for Art Walk patrons. A map of Art Walk, transportation, and parking will be distributed by participating galleries. For more information on Art Walk, participating galleries and links to gallery Web sites, visit www.fortmyersartwalk.com