For the Love of Art

When Marco Island Center for the Arts Executive Director Hyla Crane reflects on her decade with the Art Center, she thinks of the people as well as the accomplishments. Saturday night’s For the Love of Art Gala at Hideaway Beach made Crane thankful for the volunteers who helped to organize this year’s event. It reminded her of the volunteers who served before them.

“We are exceedingly pleased with the way it went,” Crane said. “First time gala chairs Shirl St. Germain and Tom Larson were extraordinary. They did an incredible job of putting the evening together. We’re very grateful to them."

Crane also praised new board president Garry Wheeler.

“He is an exceptional ambassador to the Art Center,” said Crane, "as well as a wonderful new leader to take us into the future as it moves forward for us."

Crane also appreciates the people who have helped the organization over the years.

“We have really built on the giants of those who came before us,” Crane said. “People like Charlie Horn, who was known as Mr. Art League. Somebody like Dave Rice - who was in attendance Friday - and has been an incredible supporter and powerful volunteer. Dawn Henderson has been with the Art Center for a while. And of course, people who I’m deeply indebted to, both on behalf of the Art Center and personally, Rosemary Wick, who was the board president when I first arrived. And of course, LaVonne Johnson, who has been involved as a board member and simply an extraordinary patron over time. Unfortunately, neither of them are with us at this time. But they’ve both left a handprint on my heart, and their spirits remain here and continue to inspire us. I’m going to cry now. I think we have a lot that we can be proud of, that we’ve accomplished. And we have a lot more work to do because Marco Island deserves the best.”

Recognized at the Gala were special honorees Charlie Blum, Betty Newman, Mary Pat Palombo, Ann Vreeland, Jo-Ann Sanborn, and Joel Shapses.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of an organization like the Marco Island Center for the Arts. Their small staff cannot possibly do it all.

“For us to continue to do what we do,” Crane said, “we really need to see people want to be involved in volunteering. Unfortunately, the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts, Marco Players and the Island Theatre Company are no more. And it's very hard when you really need volunteer support and it's not there. This doesn't just happen without people wanting to be a part of it and committing to it. We have some great volunteers. We had amazing volunteers at the Gala. But we need volunteers throughout the year. It's fun to be part of our team. Look how fun I am. You want to come play in my sandbox? I'm wicked fun to come hang out with. We need people who want to volunteer because that is going to be the key. We are a small organization. My staff works really hard.”

Crane said prospective volunteers can reach out to her executive assistant, Heidi Guimond at info@marcoislandart.org or call 239-394-4221. 

“If you want to volunteer,” Crane said, "you can call anybody, and we will direct you to the right person and get you into our system to help you volunteer. That is what will make the difference in our ability to really develop and grow. And we need theatre volunteers. All of our actors are volunteers. We need more actors. We need people backstage. We need front-of-house people. It's fun. I mean, it's not a hardship. It's something fun to do. Being involved here and coming and volunteering here can be really fun. So, I think that's really the key for how we can continue to grow in the way we have."