The Art of Banking & the Business of Art

As an Artist, I am a huge fan of businesses partnering with the Arts in their communities. No big surprise, eh? But, after all, it’s a mutually benefitting alliance that speaks well of a community as a whole. People want to live, raise children, and visit where the Arts thrive. Local businesses have, at individual levels, the ability to help make this happen.

This week the people at Iberia Bank, at 605 Bald Eagle Drive, unveiled The Art of Banking. The program was spearheaded by bank V.P and Bank Manager, Keith Dameron, a well-known supporter of the Arts. The bank’s lobby, boardrooms, and offices are now graced with original paintings from nine Island Artists. “I asked for the best from the best,” states Mr. Dameron.

And what a difference! With staging assistance from One Day Interior, Marco Island, the effect is fantastic: brilliant and alive.

Mr. Dameron has worked tirelessly toward the goal of making Marco Island what

he calls “a Community of the Arts.” Original organizer of Leadership Marco’s scholarship fundraiser Wet Paint Live!, former member of Art League of Marco Island, and Marco Island Foundation of the Arts board of directors, and current member of Bayshore Cultural and Performing Arts, he’s now fulfilling his own long-planned design for The Art of Banking.

Bonus Points: Iberia takes no money from the selling of a painting – 100% of the purchase price goes directly to the Artist.

Please stop by Iberia Bank, have a good look around, and be sure to offer a shake of the hand to Mr. Dameron – it will be warmly returned.

Another feather-in-the-cap goes to Publix, Shops of Marco, for partnering with Art League and Marco Island Center for the Arts to create A Cultural Collaborative. Vacant storefronts are being turned into windowscapes celebrating the rich cultural presence on Marco Island. In each windowscape the Art League will join with another not-for-profit cultural organization to promote local authors and artists, theater

and history. Publix, also, will take no fee for sold work.

A final note on some other businesses that support the Arts:

Upon setting up practice on Marco Island, Dr Megan Welker, DDS, was quick to install artwork by local talent throughout her offices. Don’t you think the dentist’s office is a really good place to have something pleasant to look at?

Little Bar Restaurant in Goodland has long been known for displaying the works of local Artists and Artisans (in all its most original manifestations.) Neither of these businesses accepts payment from Artists who sell through their venue.

Bravo! Brava! to all of you. Everyone else: Follow the leaders!

Do you know a local business that offers a not-for-profit venue to local Artists? Let me know.

Tara O’Neill has been an area resident since 1967. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts from the University of South Florida, Tampa, and currently has a studio-gallery at the Artist Colony at the Esplanade on Marco Island. She can be contacted through her web site www.taraogallery.com.