BIG ARTS to host community gathering with demos and more
An upcoming event hopes to bring the islands together to heal through the power of the arts.
BIG ARTS will host a “New” New Year Community Gathering on Jan. 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. on its campus on Sanibel. The free open house will feature artist demonstrations, music and more.
“It’s for the community,” Executive Director Lee Ellen Harder said, explaining that BIG ARTS was lucky to suffer only about a quarter-million in manageable damages as a result of Hurricane Ian.
“We know we’re in much better shape than many on the islands,” she added. “We want to make a contribution to the community — with no cost to it — with these healing community events.”
Harder noted that next week’s event will be the first of several.
“We’re going to have one every month,” she said.
There will be a handful of artists conducting demonstrations in the education classrooms.
“It’s going to be three artists, instructors doing demos,” Harder said, adding that each one will showcase their medium, which they provide instruction on through classes offered at BIG ARTS.
Attendees will be able to see what Zentangle drawing entails from Donna Cole. There will be basket weaving offered up by Gisela Damandl, and Petra Kaiser will showcase how glass fusing works.
“We want to encourage people to go to the Education Center,” she said.
Live entertainment will be provided by Jenny Ve in the Sculpture Garden, weather permitting.
“We want people to roam,” Harder said of the building and campus.
The Mezzanine Gallery, with its elevator access, will be open.
“It’s featuring Lynda Fay Braun,” she said.
“Finding Perfection” features her digital art, which combines photography, digital applications and painting. Braun’s exhibit will be on display through the end of July, which is the end of season.
There is no exhibition in the Dunham Family Gallery, but attendees will want to stop in.
“There will be two different projections on two different walls,” Harder said, explaining that they will be slideshows of past exhibits. “The gallery will be open for people to sit and have drinks and food.”
Complimentary bites and beverages will provided.
Attendees can also browse and shop the recently reopened gift shop.
“The gift shop will be open,” she said.
The community in encouraged to come and relax.
“It’s an opportunity for all of us to reconnect and just experience the healing power of the arts and community,” Harder said. “To be with each other in a beautiful atmosphere.”
“We’re really looking forward to it and anxious to see everyone again,” she added.
RSVPs are requested at 239-395-0900 or info@bigarts.org.
For more information, visit https://bigarts.org/ or call 239-395-0900.
BIG ARTS is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
“New” New Year Community Gathering
When
Jan. 18 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Where
BIG ARTS, at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel
Details
Free and open to the community
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email