Dual Exhibitions at Marco Island Center for the Arts

This December, the Marco Island Center for the Arts invites the community to celebrate the holiday season with two captivating exhibitions that highlight the diversity and creativity of local and international artists.

In the main gallery, the holiday tradition continues with "Shape Shifters," a festive display by the Marco Island Center for the Arts’ Clay Guild. This annual exhibition features a collection of unique and expertly crafted pieces, each serving as an ideal holiday gift. The December Clay Guild Exhibition has become a standout annual event, highlighting the talents of local artists and the vibrant artistic community on Marco Island.

Simultaneously, in the La Petite Gallery from December 4 to January 2, the Center proudly presents the work of Kurdish Danish artist Ilos İlyas Elias Kirkan. Born in Turkey and raised in Denmark, Kirkan's journey has taken him from London to Lisbon, with exhibitions spanning cities such as London, Brighton, Paris, Tokyo, and more. His abstract layered textured collage-based paintings have earned acclaim globally, including participation in the JAALA Art Tokyo BIENNALE and the International Montreal Arts Festival.

Under the theme "LET'S GO ON A JOURNEY," the Marco Island Center for the Arts also presents a unique collaboration between artist Ilyas Kirkan and writers from Naples and Marco Island. Select writers were invited to respond to the artwork in the exhibition and explore the intersection of words and paintings. This partnership culminated in a booklet that will accompany the exhibition.

The dual exhibitions will run from December 4 to January 2, with a Second Tuesday Gallery Opening reception on December 12 at 5:30 PM. This event promises to be a delightful celebration of art, culture, and the holiday season, bringing together the vibrant community of Marco Island and beyond. There will also be an artist talk by Ilyas Kirkan on December 28 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM that will provide insights into the inspiration and passion behind his remarkable body of work.