Children have chance to share work with community at art show, raise money for The Sanibel School
The new Art in the Tree Tops Gallery is holding its first art show for children on Saturday, March 28.
The event which will feature children will be held at the Art in the Tree Tops Gallery, 1101 Periwinkle Way, from noon to 4 p.m. Hot Dogs, Ice Cream and Beverages will be offered for sale and is being provided by the Lazy Flamingo and Dairy Queen.
The Gallery is located directly across from the Daily Queen and Lazy Flamingo.
One hundred percent of the proceeds raised from the show will go to The Sanibel School art department, said gallery owner Jason Maughan.
Maughan who recently bought the gallery said he came up with the idea for a children’s art show to support The Sanibel School. His younger brother Alan went to the school and his two-year-old son Ronan will also be attending the school.
“It’s a legacy obligation for the art gallery to The Sanibel School,” Maughan said.
He also sees the value of investing in the students based on the young gallery’s success.
“The gallery is sticking to investing in people and art,” he said. “We have to encourage our future artists.”
Sales associate Adam Bauer said the art show has the potential to draw families to the gallery who might not go otherwise.
Much of the art will be from The Sanibel School.
The Sanibel School art teachers Andi McCarter and Kerry Tratt have been coordinating the children’s work which includes, ceramic sculptures, pottery, drawings and paintings. The young Picassos, Rembrandts and Monets are excited to have a chance to show their art.
“They’re used to being in the classroom,” said McCarter. “This is giving them the opportunity to see how art is marketed.”
Thirteen-year-old Lauren Gogan can barely wait for people to see her painting of flowers at the show on Saturday.
“It’s going to be great,” she said. “It’s my first piece I ever put in the gallery.”
Gogan said the flowers in her Sanibel backyard inspired her to paint her pieces she submitted for the show. And this painting is only the start for the young artist.
“I am aspiring to be an artist on Sanibel Island,” Lauren said.
Lauren’s mom Linda is excited for her daughter and the other children whose work will be displayed.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to get inspired by the other artists and showcase their own work,” she said.
Prices for the art will about $10 and under. They are hoping to raise $300 which will possibly be used for creating a mosaic of the children’s work on a recently built outside courtyard, McCarter said.
Unsold art may be picked up the following morning from 10 to noon.