Events and programming in April at the Alliance for the Arts:

Schools Out Series: Polka Dot Art (Ages 7+)

April 1 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

Get creative on your Day Off from school and come learn about the “Princess of Polka dots,” Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Discover her unique way of creating “infinity” in her artwork. You’ll take home a piece of art the “Princess” herself would be proud of. artinlee.org/event/schools-out-series-polka-dot-art

Compose a Piece in One Month: A Beginner’s Guide

Five Tuesdays, April 2 through April 30 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

Join Dr. Daniel Nistico, celebrated musician and teacher, for this five-week course as he guides participants through composing a piece of music from scratch. It works through a process called model composition, where you take a piece you love to play and study how it’s structured. Students then craft a composition based on their model piece. artinlee.org/event/compose-a-piece-in-1-month-a-beginners-guide

The Future of Art: Student Exhibit in Partnership with Lee Arts Educators Association

On Display April 4 through April 27 during gallery hours

@ Alliance for the Arts

This exhibition will be divided into two, two-week sessions and feature Lee County elementary & middle and high schools. The first two weeks of the month will be dedicated to the participating elementary and middle schools of Lee County. Elementary and Middle School opening night will be held on April 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. This session will be on display through April 13. Lee County High Schools will be in the gallery the following two weeks with the opening reception held on April 19, 5 to 7 p.m. This session will be on display through April 27. The High School exhibition is sponsored by Florida SouthWestern State College. artinlee.org/event

Wearable Art & Wine with Pat Collins (21+)

Friday, April 5 from 6 to 8 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

This Wearable Art session will explore how to make stamps for relief printing on your chosen garment (t-shirt, apron, tote bag, etc.) to personalize and transform it into wearable art. Materials for making and printing stamps will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring additional supplies if they choose. All supplies provided EXCEPT the garment students use. Ages 21 and over only (two glasses of wine per student included) artinlee.org/event/wearable-art-and-wine

An Evening of Jazz featuring the Philippe Lemm Trio

Friday, April 5 from 7 to 9 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

Join us for a special evening of Jazz, featuring the Philippe Lemm Trio.Comprised of three musicians (Philippe Lemm, Sharik Hasan and Jeff Koch) with exceptional command of their instruments, the group’s repertoire draws heavily from re-imaginations of jazz standards in a way that both defies genre and corresponds to any modern jazz fan. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. artinlee.org/event/jazz-concert-ft-philippe-lemm-trio/

Family ArtLab: Special Edition with the Philippe Lemm Trio

Saturday, April 6 from 11 a.m. to noon

@ Alliance for the Arts

Join us for this very special Family ArtLab, as we gather for an educational concert by the internationally celebrated Philippe Lemm Trio. The musicians will talk about each of their instruments, show students how they work and the parts that make them up, and share a little about each role in the group. This interactive program will show kids that music is fun, and is something to be enjoyed all the time. artinlee.org/event/family-artlab-special-edition/

Flash Fiction Challenge Workshop: Breaking Down Writing Barriers

Saturdays, April 6 and 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

English instructor Cara Coble will guide students through a Flash Fiction Challenge workshop to learn about the art of microfiction. Flash fiction is a challenging and fun way to approach developing a narrative without overthinking your words. artinlee.org/event/flash-fiction-challenge

CHANGE Program: Beginners Acting Class

Six Saturdays, April 6 through May 11 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

The CHANGE Program (Communities Harnessing the Arts to Nurture and Grow Equity) engages aspiring adult actors of color in theatre education, provides performance opportunities, and a platform to convene dialogue on social issues that challenge our community through creative, artistic expression. In this six-week beginner’s acting class, students will learn stage movement, voice and diction for the stage, and character development, culminating in a scripted performance for their family and friends. This program is supported in part by the Southwest Florida Community Foundation and United Way. artinlee.org/event/the-change-program-beginners-acting-class

CHANGE Program: Intensive Acting Class

Six Saturdays, April 6 through May 11 from 1:45 to 3:30 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

*** Must have acting experience or have taken a previous acting class

The CHANGE Program (Communities Harnessing the Arts to Nurture and Grow Equity) engages aspiring adult actors of color in theatre education, provides performance opportunities, and a platform to convene dialogue on social issues that challenge our community through creative, artistic expression. In this four-week intensive acting class, students will focus on character exploration, scene work and staying in the moment. Actors will learn what it means to trust and follow their instincts as a means to find themselves within the character through discussion and practical exercises. Please prepare a short one-minunte monologue. Memorization not required. This program is supported in part by the Southwest Florida Community Foundation and United Way. www.artinlee.org/event/the-change-program-intensive-acting-class

Three-Day Batique Techniques Workshop with Muffy Clark Gill (Ages 15+)

April 7 through April 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

This workshop is about using the batik (Indonesian style wax resist painting) and rozome (Japanese style batik) wax and dye painting processes to create unique artwork on fabric that can be used on everyday household objects, clothing or works of art. Play with tjaps (Indonesian printing blocks), tjanting tools, brushes, and other waxing techniques so that you have a variety of tools to create artwork that is unique. www.artinlee.org/event/3-day-batique-techniques-workshop

Zentangle for the Seasons

Tuesday, April 9 from 6 to 8 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

Zentangle is an easy-to-learn method of drawing patterns step by step. It is relaxing, gratifying and a great way to exercise the creative side of your brain. Beginning with the basics in the first class, we’ll then create a variety of Art works throughout the month, based on the season. www.artinlee.org/zentangle-for-the-seasons

Wednesday Night Market

Wednesday, April 10 from 5 to 8 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

Every second Wednesday of the month from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm,AFTA presents a pop-up Night Market featuring a selection of fresh produce, art for sale, live music, art activities for kids, food trucks and beer and wine. Website: www.artinlee.org/event/night-market-2023-11-08/2024-04-10/

Open Mic Night at Wednesday Night Market

Wednesday, April 10 from 5 to 8 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

AFTA presents Open Mic at the Night Market, celebrating local musicians. Guests can enjoy live performances in a vibrant atmosphere. Performers can register online to participate. Basic sound system provided. Limited to one song or five minutes per performer. www.artinlee.org/openmicnight

Fridays with Francesco: Color Studies (Ages 18+)

Friday, April 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

In this class with Francesco, the students will focus on color studies. Color study allows the artist to unleash his/her own creativity rather than focusing solely on achieving a realistic result, the goal is to explore different color combinations or arrangements. artinlee.org/fridays-with-francesco

The Storm in the Barn-Youth Theatre

April 12 and 13 @ 7:30 p.m. April 13 and 14 from 2 to 4 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

In 1937 Kansas, 11-year-old Jack Clark faces many challenges: local bullies, his father’s desperate attempts to keep his family intact, an older sister getting sicker by the day, and a little sister with an eye for trouble. But he’s also facing the epic disaster of the Dust Bowl — which means families disappearing overnight, tempers flaring in his small town, and the steady spread of the mysterious illness “Dust Dementia.” So can Jack even trust his own eyes when he makes a terrifying discovery in the abandoned barn next door? Is the sinister shadow with a face like rain–a creature with a plan to deprive humans of water forever–real? This uniquely American fable uses haunting music and startling imagery to ask: When everyone says you’re too small to be the hero of any story, where do you find the strength to save your family … and the world? artinlee.org/storm-the-barn-youth-theatre

Art House Cinema at AFTA: Razing Liberty Square – a film screening

Wednesday, April 17 from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

Miami is ground-zero for sea-level rise. When residents of the historic Liberty Square public housing project learn about a $300 million revitalization plan for their neighborhood, which has long suffered from disinvestment, they know that this sudden interest comes from the fact that their neighborhood is located on the highest-and-driest ground in the city. Now they must prepare to fight a new form of racial injustice – Climate Gentrification. This screening is part of the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. WGCU’s Tara Calligan will be hosting a Q & A session with one of the directors/producers/cinematographers of Razing Liberty Square. artinlee.org/razing-liberty

FREE Family ArtLab

Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to noon

@ Alliance for the Arts

Families can drop in for free, hands-on fun with art from 10 a.m. to noon. Kids can explore something new every month like art making, gallery activities, games and more – all inspired by artworks on view in the gallery, famous artists, national holidays and artistic traditions around the world. artinlee.org/family-artlab

Make and Take Mother’s Day Gift (Ages 5+)

Wednesday, April 24 from 1 to 3 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

Join the Alliance to create a very special gift, for a special person in your life. Whether it’s for mom, grandma, aunts or a close friend, you’re sure to make them smile this Mother’s Day when they unwrap a gift made especially for them, by a child they love. And imagine how proud that child will be giving that gift. artinlee.org/event/make-and-take-mothers-day-gifts

How to Photograph Your Own Work

Wednesday, April 24 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

Every last Wednesday of the month Duncan Metts, professional photographer, will help participants get the very most out of photographs of their work. Whether they plan to send them to friends, post them on social media, or use them to promote their work professionally, this is the workshop for everyone. artinlee.org/event/how-to-photograph-your-own-work-3/

Unity Concert with FGCU

Saturday, April 27 from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

@ Alliance for the Arts

Help support the youth scholarship programs, with the upcoming concert featuring FGCU Volunteers. There will be a live concert from 2:30 to 4 p.m. featuring singers, songwriters, and pianists to help support youth accessibility to the arts. Doors open at 2 p.m. with light refreshments by donation, and a chance to get to meet the performers. The goal is to unify the community and to showcase the arts from middle, high school on to college level. artinlee.org