Art in the Park is Back

Marco Island Art in the Park is back again at Veteran's Park on February 14-15 and March 14-15 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Just in time for Valentine's Day, this juried art fair will feature unique artists and makers providing art enthusiasts with a marvelous opportunity to explore a wide variety of art in one setting, PLUS Island Rocks series to follow 5:00 to 9:00 PM after both events in the UNITY Bandshell, sponsored by the City of Marco Island. Both events are free to the public and the perfect opportunity for a date day!

Participation is limited which makes this boutique-style show different each month, featuring creatives who think outside the box. Blue Ribbon Events CEO Danielle Lynch states, "The art show industry is evolving; by limiting the amount of participants we raise the bar on excellence and also help to ensure that each artist can maximize their sales in their chosen category. It also ensures that you can connect directly with artists in a boutique setting." The show appeals to people of all ages, including families, art enthusiasts, and serious art buyers looking to add to their collections with art in all price ranges. Hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free and open to the public.

Painter Jack Thome’s current body of work explores the dynamic interplay of form, color, and texture. Using a combination of cutouts and spray paint on paper, Thome overlays cut and torn painted paper, completing each piece with hand-applied acrylics, markers, and colored pencils.

“The idea or image can be expressed in depth by color,” Thome explains, “but better by layered color and actual separations—adding texture as well as depth.”

This philosophy is central to Thome’s artistic evolution. His choice of subject matter shifts in tandem with his ongoing experimentation with materials and technique. Yet, beneath the changing visuals, Thome’s emotional landscape subtly reveals itself through his art.

His vivid colors, bold movements, and striking shapes reflect moments of joy, energy, and confidence. In contrast, his darker, more controlled works channel feelings of anger and depression. Meanwhile, his calmer, more placid imagery expresses a longing for the sense of normalcy that, in his words, “has long since slipped from memory.”

Through this complex layering—both physical and emotional—Jack Thome’s art invites viewers to engage with the textures of human experience, where color and form merge into deeply personal storytelling.

Savannah Sam is a photographer and photo artist whose work is rooted in the art of expressive photography, drawing inspiration from the iconic coastal and nautical landscapes of the southern United States. His images trace the shoreline from Maryland’s Eastern Shore through Key West and around the Gulf Coast to New Orleans, capturing the timeless charm, rhythm, and atmosphere of the South’s coastal lifestyle. These regions provide a rich visual palette—one that Sam transforms into evocative compositions that celebrate both place and mood.

With a lifetime devoted to the technical rigor of engineering, combined with formal early training in photography and oil painting, Sam brings a rare balance of precision and artistry to his work. This fusion of disciplines allows him to approach each image with careful intention, resulting in compositions that are both technically refined and emotionally resonant.

Embracing a digitally driven approach, Sam captures his images using a Canon 5D Mark III, followed by a limited and highly specific post-processing workflow. This deliberate process allows him to preserve authenticity while enhancing the emotional tone of each piece. The result is a body of work that reflects a thoughtful, detail-oriented vision—one that invites viewers to experience the coastal South not just as a destination, but as a way of life.

Curtis Jenney redefines sculptural water features with a striking series of three-tier, hand-sculpted waterfalls inspired by fossilized, leaf-like forms. Each waterfall flows organically across uniquely shaped surfaces, resting on pedestals of varying heights to create a dynamic, architectural presence. Carefully crafted by hand, these sculptural works blur the line between fine art and functional design.

Jenney’s process is as distinctive as the finished pieces themselves. Each sculpture is composed of a proprietary blend of clay, granite dust, glass fibers, and two curatives—created entirely without the use of resins. The result is a durable yet organic form that evokes ancient natural textures while embracing contemporary craftsmanship. Every piece is individually signed and dated, underscoring its status as a one-of-a-kind artwork.

Both visually compelling and meditative, these fossil-like waterfalls

Since the beginning, Marco Island Art in the Park has featured unusual creators with unique styles. Numerous other artists will be available with various mediums. All original art, handmade in the USA. Mixed media artists, jewelers, fiber artists, woodworkers, painters, and even potters. Stop by and ask them what inspires them or commission a unique piece. Applications are still open for most months. For more information on future events or how you can participate as an artist, visit www.blueribbonevents.com or call 231-350-8277.