BIG ARTS, with over four decades of arts, education and enrichment programs on Sanibel Island is using this window of time post Hurricane Ian to reach out to a broader audience in Lee County. Long part of its strategic planning ambitions, BIG ARTS has wanted to do programs across the causeway and has named the initiative, “BIG ARTS on the Road.”
While BIG ARTS did not sustain the heartbreaking damage to property that friends and neighbors have suffered – due in great part to the integrity of the new building constructed in 2019 – they were glad to be able to offer the space as a location for all Sanibel city meetings.
BIG ARTS initial foray into this outreach program will be a series of plein air workshops under the direction of Aimee Harrison, BIG ARTS workshop manager, to be held at the Berne Davis Botanical Gardens and featuring some of southwest Florida’s most popular instructors, including visiting artists Douglas Davis, Jane Slivka and others.
BIG ARTS will also host a free, open house on Jan. 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. on the BIG ARTS campus where a variety of artists will be conducting demonstrations in the education classrooms. Complimentary food, beverages, and music abound. While the Dunham Family Gallery is temporarily closed and slated to open with an exhibit in late January, the Mezzanine Gallery, with access via elevator, is open to the public.
Additionally, the BIG ARTS Gift Shop, featuring Southwest Florida artists’ one-of-a-kind ceramics, paintings, jewelry, wearable art and much more, is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more details, call 239-395-0900 or visit www.bigarts.org.
