Art on the Road

“Art” is a very broad term, and like love, a many-splendored thing. 

The Marco Island Center for the Arts continues to go further and further in exploring various art forms, and last weekend was no exception. The Art Center hosted its 11th annual “Cars as Art” show on Saturday, bringing a crowd of people to their headquarters on Winterberry Drive, even on a weekend when the gallery inside was closed, being prepped for the next exhibit. The parking lot was filled with an assortment of awesome automobiles that taken as a whole, definitively answered the question, “But is it art?” at least when applied to cars. 

Over 30 wildly diverse vehicles were entered into the show, from Myrt Rose’s “beach car,” an open 1959 Fiat 500 Jolly, complete with a tasseled top and wicker seats, to a hulking 1992 Hummer H1 owned by Ralf Unruh that looks as though it could eat the Fiat for lunch. Even the Hummer was “outgrunged,” if that’s a word, by a rusty “barn find” 1053 Dodge Power Wagon from Eric Peterson, with a serious towing winch and cables.

Jim Richards showed three vehicles: a 2002 Smartcar Crossblade, a ’73 VW bus, and a splashy 1927 Ford T Bucket. Longtime show organizer Jack Keery and his wife Claire had three as well, two MGs and a ’74 Jaguar XKE that drew a lot of attention. 

Current showrunner Keith Pershing, proprietor of Island Automotive and local guru of all things car-related, brought a VW Vanagon camper, plus the 1949 Pontiac Silver Streak, which drove he wife from their wedding, their daughter home from the hospital after she was born AND lately from her wedding. In general, all the cars have backstories, and the older they are, the more stories. And car people are generally more than willing to share their stories with all who will listen. 

Most people could simply wander around and enjoy the automotive spectacle, but Marco artist and theatrical impresario Gina Sisbarro took on the task of judging the entries. She awarded her “Artist’s Choice” award to Randy Keys for his 2016 Morgan three-wheeler, one of the newer vehicles entered, although you wouldn’t know to look at it. Built by hand on a wooden frame of ash, the English motorcar comes with goggles and leather helmets and is customized to fit the owner. 

“When you order the car, they measure your legs because the seats don’t adjust,” said Keys. 

As spectators wandered, they also contemplated their picks for the People’s Choice awards. First place went to Gary Groenke for his 1955 Oldsmobile 98 Holiday coupe, a sporty model with whitewalls and a two-tone red and white paint job. 

Second place was won by Michael Riordan’s 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible. The car, the limo version of which was the car President John Kennedy was riding in when he was assassinated in 1963, looks as though its trunk is big enough to carry another car instead of a spare tire. Third prize was awarded to Bill Coolidge’s 1966 Sunbeam Tiger convertible. Made famous as the car Agent 86 drove in “Get Smart,” Coolidge’s Tiger was one of three on display at the art center on Saturday. 

“To gather three here is pretty special,” said Keith Pershing. 

There is no summer letup for the arts on Marco. Between the Arts Center gallery and theater, “we’ll be going strong all year,” said Arts Center Executive Director Hyla Crane. The Marco Island Center for the Arts has a full slate of shows, concerts, lessons, and workshops upcoming. For more information or to donate to the Art Center, visit the center at 1010 Winterberry Drive, call 239-394-4221, or go online to www.marcoislandart.org.