Hot Hot Hot Exhibits at Art Center

It is August on Marco, and heat advisories are in effect with temperatures in the lower 90s. According to local weather forecasts, the heat index will climb into the high 90s. 

For August, the Center for the Arts advisories are HOT HOT HOT, featuring 47 pieces by 23 local artists depicting Art that they feel is HOT. Congratulations to all the artists for their artworks displayed at the Lauritzen Gallery through the month of August. John Melleky, Arts and Culture manager for Collier County Tourism, was the judge for the Exhibit and shared the following results. 

First place - Judith Chinski “Swinging Hot Spot III”

Second Place-Betty Newman “Feeling the Love”

Third Place- Joseph Parisi “After the Swim”

Honorable Mention – Myriam Kriel “Melting Pot”

Honorable Mention-Martin Duhms “Untitled”

The Rush Gallery features artist David Fuller with his theme of “Gen A Kids.”  David loves to paint about everyday life, and each acrylic painting is a slice of time and situation. According to David, “My mentor, Norman Rockwell, defined the genre, and his magazine covers made us think, laugh and cry, and I am hooked on that.”  His exhibit explores “Gen A Kids” born from 2010 through the present, and his 12 paintings highlight the comings and goings of this generation as they grow up.

The La Petite Galerie features the “miniature collections” of Jeany Dean. She calls herself a dollhouse miniaturist and has been involved in miniatures for over 40 years - what has started as a hobby has turned into a world of creativity. According to Jeany, “Almost everything in the real world can be created in miniature as well.” 

Great news for the Marco Center for the Arts: The Collier Community Foundation recently announced surprise grants totaling $250,000 to 14 arts and culture nonprofits. The money is to assist these organizations in continuing their programs and operations after the recent Governor veto of all state grants to the arts. 

According to Hyla Crane, Executive Director for the Marco Center for the Arts, “this decision was unprecedented and left art organizations struggling to close the gap” in their budgets for 2024-2025. Like the other arts organizations, Marco Island Center for the Arts (Art Center) and the Arts Center Theatre (ACT) faced difficult decisions. This unexpected and extremely welcome gift will help to ensure that jobs are not lost and that the variety and quality of the Art Center’s programs that people deserve and have come to expect is not diminished.”

Don’t Miss the August 13th Second Tuesday Gallery Reception from 5:30 to 7:00 PM to celebrate our local artists and their amazing Hot Hot Hot creations.

Marco Island Center for the Arts at 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island, Florida.