‘Forge & Scroll’ exhibition on display at Alliance
Be transported through two disparate worlds that converge, yet complement — an ode to nature through the eyes of an artist-poet where twisting vines and random blooms come to life on large-scale watercolor scrolls — and the tactile strength of metal forged into intricate sculptures that capture nature’s organic shapes & elements.
“Forge & Scroll” is on display now through Sept. 25 at the Alliance for the Arts.
Zan Lombardo comes from a family of gifted story-tellers which serves her well as a teacher, an artist and a poet. She taught art for over 35 years in Illinois and Pennsylvania, retiring in 2016 as a Golden Apple teacher. Now a resident of Pine Island where she has an art studio, she is the recipient of numerous art awards including the Robert Rauschenberg Power of Art Award and the National Energy Foundation’s Igniting Creative Energy Award.
Steve Kalb has been blacksmithing for over 15 years and has studied under some of the finest smiths both statewide and nationally. He has led a career as a firefighter in Lee County which has given him a unique perspective on hazardous materials and processes of industry. By using upcycled metal and new technologies, he is working toward a carbon neutral blacksmithing shop and greener art. He has taught across Florida and has held offices in the Florida Artist Blacksmith Association. His goal is to educate others about blacksmithing which includes volunteering on weekends at the Koreshan State Historic site where he has a coal forge to do demonstrations.
Lombardo will be onsite for gallery talks and poetry readings associated with her pieces on Sept. 11 and 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. She will also host an educational Mangroves as Poetry event on Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. that will feature poetry on her 15-foot mangroves watercolor.
Gallery admission is free, but a suggested $5 donation keeps programming affordable and accessible.
For more information, visit https://www.artinlee.org/event/forgeandscroll/.
The Alliance for the Arts is at 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.