Coastal Breeze News

ART UNCOVERED Tara O’Neill “Times are a-changing.” Well, for me, anyway…and, technically, for the thousands of devoted readers of Art Uncovered. Art Uncovered is finished. Kaput. No mas. The fat lady is singing her head off. Last one, right here. After fifty-two issues, I am putting to rest the vehicle that made me a literary superstar. The original mission of Art Uncovered was simple and sincere: to share with you the exceptional, lesser-known, artists, art venues and events, that grace our artful coast. Together we met talented artists (of which there are so many) who maybe didn’t have the wherewithal for ... Read More »

By Tara O’Neill Wednesday, September 26, 5-8PM will be the LAST Last Wednesday ArtWalk at the Artist Colony at the Esplanade. After three years in this lovely locale, Marco Island’s artists have lost their lease and are actively reviewing potential new venues. Will there be tears? Will there be sadness? No time for that! The artists are all busy planning an ArtWalk extravaganza to thank everyone who has supported Island art and artists. Live music is being arranged with the help of J.Robert & Friends, and count on plenty of creative refreshments. There will also be numerous deals on some ... Read More »

Buzz From The Swamp Patricia Huff [email protected] A new photographic perspective with Mother Nature is the subject of the Museum of the Everglades’ September exhibit entitled “The Everglades and the Goodman’s.” A reception to “Meet the Artist” Kayla Goodman is scheduled for Saturday, September 8, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served by the Friends of the Museum of the Everglades. Kayla, age 12, was introduced to photography three years ago. She would accompany her father on adventures into the Everglades. Using her Mom’s point-and-shoot camera, she gained a sense of composition. A year later Kayla entered ... Read More »

The Marco Island Center for the Arts has been designated the Renaissance Academy by Florida Gulf Coast University. It will begin its first program on Thursday, January 24, 2013 with a lecture on Great Piano Composers, from Chopin to Joplin, by Maestro Bryan Tari. He will also play piano selections. His lecture will be at the Art Center on Marco Island, from 10:30 AM to Noon. Cost is $25 at the door or in advance by calling 239-394-4221. Coffee and tea will be served. Two other lectures are scheduled on the 4th Thursday of February and March. Program details to ... Read More »

ART UNCOVERED  Tara O’Neill  I am just back from my ‘working’ vacation in beautiful, if only slightly cooler, New England. Devoted readers will remember that I attended the opening night reception for Maine-ly Marco at The Gallery at Harmon’s & Barton’s in Portland, Maine. They’ll also know that Maine-ly Marco is an exhibition of nine Marco Island artists – a reciprocation for the highly successful Maine Fiber Artists exhibit held last January at the Marco Island Center for the Arts. Both events were spearheaded by the lovely, and art-loving, Sandy Wallen – who, with husband Bill, divides the year twixt Marco ... Read More »

ART UNCOVERED  Tara O’Neill  [email protected] As dedicated readers of my column already know, I’m taking a quasi summer hiatus from Art Uncovered - but there’s still news just itching to be shared. Besides, I wouldn’t want you to forget me! Things are always changing, always shifting, and always happening, at Marco’s own Artist Colony. Rightside Studio and the Artist Colony at the Esplanade welcome newest member Nancy Dowdall, photographer. Dowdall, a professional for over 20 years, is well known locally as a fine art photographer, but the artist considers her portrait and commercial photography as nothing less than art. Dowdall shies ... Read More »

BUZZ FROM THE SWAMP  Patricia Huff  [email protected] There are many painters who live in this area, and the Museum of the Everglades will be highlighting some of our very special, talented local “artists” during the summer months. Mr. Paul Tribble, who has been teaching the Art Classes at Everglades City School since 1978 has once again inspired his students to draw, paint and create a selection of imaginative pieces for this summer’s exhibit. Some of the art work is a collaborative effort painted by several students. All of the students have produced beautiful, individual art that is well worth a trip ... Read More »

ART UNCOVERED  Tara O’Neill  The ancient Japanese tradition of SENBAZURU promises that a person who folds one thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish, such as long life, or recovery from illness or injury. It represents a form of healing and hope during challenging times.  I first met Barbara Parisi as fellow contributing artists at Bras for Life, a fundraising exhibition sponsored by the Marco Island Center for the Arts in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Participants were asked to decorate, create, or recreate bras for live auction, a portion of all sales went directly to the Marco Island ... Read More »

ART UNCOVERED  Tara O’Neill  I usually save my “year in review” for mid-summer, but as I am now exiting the role of gallery committee Chairperson at the Marco Island Center for the Arts, I am consumed with reflection. It’s been a full two years since I was hood-winked…that is to say, invited…to accept the position (what could they have been thinking?) It was an honor then, and today remains an honor, and so much more. More: more knowledgeable of what galleries and museums go through to stage a successful exhibition; more tolerant of some practices; more impatient of others; more far-reaching ... Read More »

ART UNCOVERED  Tara O’Neill  The busy season is ending and while many in our coastal communities are shifting into low gear for the slow summer months, the Marco Island Center for the Arts is revving up for a juried exhibition of great import for the month of May. An exhibit, it might be said, with a conscience. The Gallery of the Endangered will feature artists’ interpretation of imperiled flora and fauna around the world. Works will be in a multitude of media, including two and three dimensional pieces. The exhibit runs through the month of May, with a very special reception ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] The “Homeland Dolphin” that has greeted guests at Marco Island’s City Hall since 2003 has recently moved. Created by Marco Island Academy High School teacher, Rob Eder, the dolphin sculpture can now be found at the entrance to the Community Center at Mackle Park. In a grand fundraising effort for The Marco Island YMCA and The Art League of Marco Island, 36 dolphin sculptures were created by various local artists in 2003, in what was known as the “Dolphin Debut.” On April 13th of that year, the sculptures were auctioned off at an event hosted by ... Read More »

ART UNCOVERED Tara O’Neill In the spirit of pure indulgence, I’d like to share some observations about working in the arts community; in particular, thoughts on the benefits of collaboration. Example: all artists require a place to work, and a place to exhibit/perform. Three years ago it was certainly true for a group of Marco Island artists who held monthly salon meetings in the home of artist JoAnn Sanborn. At one such meeting Sanborn presented a vision she had of studios for working artists filling the vacant retail spaces at a local upscale plaza – vacancies indicative of the economic crunch ... Read More »

By Jane A. Marlowe [email protected] Rosemary Leone is a pretty woman, smart, gracious, stylish and still working at almost 89!! Retiring isn’t in her vocabulary. She works for Richard Alan, Marco’s own Harbor Goldsmith, wherever he needs her, at Richard’s Reef at Marco Walk or in his jewelry shop at Island Plaza. She is also a talented artist and when she is at home, she is generally working on her art, painting with oils or water colors. Rosemary worked previously for an owner of several Marco Island shops. Andrea Alan, Richard’s wife, was manager of one of the shops and ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff It’s time again to ‘think outside the gallery’ and enjoy fine art in the delightfully unique historic fishing village of Goodland. Award-winning artist Tara O’Neill, a member of the Artist Colony at the Esplanade on Marco Island, will be stepping out of her own studio-gallery to host her 9th annual one-woman art exhibit at The Little Bar Restaurant. The now famous two-day reception will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 14th and 15th, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Artwork will be on view through April 21st. Again this year, O’Neill will be donating a ... Read More »

She will demonstrate her celebrated underwater painting each Thursday evening at Fifth Avenue Design Gallery, located at 365 Fifth Avenue South in Naples. Fifth Avenue South is one of the nation’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destinations. Historic and modern architecture blend together in eclectic sophistication; tropical blooms and lush greenery grace its pedestrian-friendly promenades; and sparkling storefronts are filled with the most enchanting gifts and treasures. Fifth Avenue South is home to award-winning restaurants and cafés, world-class art galleries, chic boutiques, elegant inns and a wealth of professional businesses and services. For more information about Fifth Avenue South, please ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff The Arts Afire committee took a new direction for its second annual event with A Walk with the Masters. The Walk showcased nine tableaus set up along the pathway at Mackle Park. A ‘tableau’ is a representation of a picture or scene, by one or more persons suitably costumed and posed. The Arts Afire committee could not have chosen a more beautiful day for the event. Many enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the lake while taking a moment to appreciate each of the different scenes along the way. Participants included: • Marco Players who portrayed ... Read More »

ART UNCOVERED  Tara O’Neill  Here we are, at the end of another March. The working residents of southwest Florida have had a busy season and most are downright tired. (Me? I’m exhausted.) Part time residents are planning their spring departures. Soon, more visitors will be leaving than arriving. It’s a time when year-rounders dare to dream of how to wile away the upcoming long summer days and warm summer nights. For you short-timers it’s the home-stretch, the last chance café, the final innings. Right before us is one of our two precious “shoulder seasons” (April/May and October/November). Roads are a little ... Read More »

SPEAKING OF TRAVEL Vickie Kelber  [email protected] Salvador Dalí is an artist whose work my husband and I enjoy. Perhaps it is his quirkiness and symbolism or his immense talent and sheer genius. He was able to paint in any style; some of his classical works are as affecting as his surrealist pieces. His double image paintings that suggest optical illusions are brilliant. He started as an impressionist, dabbled with cubism, progressed from classicism to surrealism, embraced science and math into his art. In some works, you can see the influence of Picasso and Miró, with whom he was friends. He is ... Read More »

ART UNCOVERED Tara O’Neill I’ll start by telling you that it has been my great honor to chair the Gallery Committee at the Marco Island Center for the Arts these past two years. I work with exceptionally creative men and women dedicated to bringing interesting, enlightening, and energizing exhibits and events to ‘’The Center.‘’ In March, 2011, during a brain-storming session, Ken Stroud, President of our Board of Directors, suggested to the committee an exhibit of work by Seminole artists. Sure, I think, this is a wonderful idea. I’m a Florida gal, I know people who know people, etc. Absolutely! I ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom  [email protected]  Show Your Axe is one of those hidden spots on Marco that reminds true musicians of what small-town music shops are all about. Owner, Bob Duffy, has run the store, at its current location of 1165 Bald Eagle Drive for over three years now, but his first interaction with a musical instrument came long before he opened his doors on Marco. Duffy is an extremely interesting individual. He started his first business in his parents’ basement; a homemade candle-making company, when he was fifteen. Only a few years later, he sold the successful company. Since then ... Read More »