Summertime Exhibit Shines at Art Center

The brushstrokes of summer with its vibrant colors capture the essence of the new exhibit at the Marco Island Center for the Arts. Summertime is celebrated through the exhibits of 29 local artists displaying 68 pieces at both the Rush and Lauritzen galleries, depicting scenes of nature and the joy and warmth of the summer season. The Summertime exhibit will be showcased through September 29, 2026.

They say artists love painting summer scenes – with the extended daylight hours and the vivid colors of nature creating an irresistible canvas. Seascapes are the quintessential summertime art motif and flowers are easy favorites. Landscapes tell a timeless story ranging from nostalgic to romantic and animals always work their magic in an artist’s collection. The Summertime exhibit has something for everyone to enjoy. Exhibited works consist of acrylic paintings, watercolors, pastels, encaustics, photography, 3D sculptures in stone and wood, fabric art, and jewelry.

La Petite Galerie features artist Luis Manzanares through August 25, 2026. This is part of the Center for the Arts vibrant celebration of ¡ARTE VIVA! Throughout the year, a wide variety of events and exhibitions pay homage to the rich cultural heritage and artistic expressions of the Hispanic community.

Luis Manzanares is of Honduran heritage and started drawing as far back as he can remember. According to Luis, art has been a refuge of inspiration, and he considers himself a born artist. He watched his mother embroider little figures on a muslin fabric and that was enough to inspire him for the rest of his life. Luis added that he always wanted to be different with his own style that he calls “Framing the Shape.” This inspired him to keep creating colorful, imaginative works inspired by nature and everyday life. Luis has a distinctive style and has dedicated his work to inspiring people of all ages through color, design, and artistic expression.

Every painting reflects a passion for art and a commitment to bringing unique ideas to life.

We also welcome the artwork of Adorable Monique, a frequent exhibitor to Marco Island Center for the Arts. For the 2025-2026 season, ¡ARTE VIVA! recently selected her artwork as the winning poster design in Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitor Bureau’s call to artists for the season.

You are all invited to an opening reception celebrating the artists, which will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 1016 at 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM. The reception is free and open to the public.