The Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center offers two captivating art exhibitions in March. The Grand Atrium will feature impressionist artist Heidi Schmitz in Munich Meets Fort Myers.
In the Capital Gallery on the second floor, award-winning photojournalist Stephen Hayford will be showing realistic, and sometimes exaggerated, portraits of human behavior in plastic, his unique diorama show is titled Plasticity. The opening reception takes place during Art Walk on Friday, March 6 from 6 to 10 p.m.
Born in Munich, Germany, Heidi Schmitz uses colors and techniques that reflect a European flair not commonly found in North America. Her style of mixed media abstracts strike a wonderful balance between form and color. She employs various layers of acrylic paint and elements of coffee, tar, sand, rust, and wax that gives these works an unusual depth. Her paintings show charming landscapes, picturesque views, and colorful still lives.
Heidi teaches regular courses with renowned artists in Italy, Austria, Germany, and in the U.S. She also lectures at the People’s University in Munich on the aquarelle technique.
Stephen Hayford has been documenting community issues for more than 20 years. In that time he has photographed several world leaders, important cultural events, devastating storms and historical meetings. Hayford has worked with The Palm Beach Post, Sun-Sentinel, the Miami Herald, Rocky Mountain News and other newspapers and wire services in Colorado, Ohio, Missouri and Florida. He became well-versed in Southwest Florida issues covering the area for nine years with The News-Press.
His work is noted for his versatility with great attention to light, detail and decisive moments. He is now applying these skills, along with exceptional talents in conceptualization, to markets beyond journalism. Hayford creates elaborately detailed dioramas which he populates with customized action figures which are less than four inches tall. He then photographs these unique scenes with great attention to subtle gestures and compositional storytelling.
The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in downtown Fort Myers. For more information, visit www.sbdac.com or call 239-333-1933.
