Experience two spectacular exhibitions in August at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers.
In the main gallery, discover “Fort Myers Collects,” an exhibition developed to show the most engaging and eclectic art that is privately owned by several of area art collectors.
The Capital Gallery (upstairs) will showcase a group show “Reimagined,” featuring surreal and fantasy art by eight incredibly talented artists.
“Fort Myers Collects” was developed to show the most engaging and eclectic art that is privately owned by several of favorite area collectors of art, and will offer visitors a look inside the hearts and minds of regional collectors in Southwest Florida. The paintings are made available to the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center by members of the community for art lovers to enjoy and will include several pieces that have been donated to the center in recent years. “Fort Myers Collects” is a unique opportunity to share with the community some of these collectors’ most loved possessions. Planning of the exhibition and the works that were selected by the collectors best illustrate their passion and love for collecting.
Most importantly, working on “Fort Myers Collects” has provided a chance for the Davis Art Center team to become acquainted with area collectors and to cultivate relationships with them. It is a treasure to learn from each collector why they collect and who they collect. In the Capital Gallery, local surrealistic and fantasy artists Dharma Lefevre, Danielle Branchaud, Ananda Warrick, Ndola Pensy, Katie Vance, Michelle Caraway, Amanda Howell and Jeannie Coons have joined together to create “Reimagined” a show that illustrates how the fantastical inspires artistic creation. Fantasy art has always been rooted in lore, culture and religious art that can be traced all the way back to Greek and Roman times. From fantastical creatures, heroes, and epic legends these themes are dynamic and fluid and invite the viewer into a world of fantastical daydreams. In the late 1970s, fantasy art came more to the forefront with a surge in interest with movies, games and album covers. Over the years, fantastical and surrealism has felt a reawakening and is becoming a huge inspiration for modern artists that breathe new life into these ages-old chimeras and mythos.
These exhibitions will open on Friday, Aug. 2 during Art Walk from 6 – 10 p.m. The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in the historic downtown River District. Admission is $1 entry donation. For more, visit sbdac.com or call 239-333-1933.
