FGCU Art Galleries plan full season of shows, with some twists By Drew Sterwald
The FGCU Art Galleries have reframed some exhibitions planned for the 2020-21 school year and postponed others in light of COVID-19-related complications and safety precautions — which currently include limiting gallery visitors to students, faculty and staff until further notice. Nevertheless, the art will go on.
“We’re essentially maintaining the number of exhibits planned, but the content will change,” explained Gallery Director John Loscuito.
Spring graduate Meg Brunner discusses her senior project in The Wasmer Gallery. Photo: James Greco/FGCU
As the galleries move forward with installed as well as virtual projects, they usher in the new season with a look back showcasing last spring’s graduating seniors, who had to forego their traditional moment in the spotlight earlier this year. Art majors’ senior projects are being displayed through Sept. 3 in the Wasmer Art Gallery and the ArtLab; digital design majors will have their projects exhibited Sept. 18-Oct. 1 in Wasmer.
Private receptions were being held for parents, administration and faculty to recognize graduates’ college-career crowning achievements. At the end of their studies, art majors are required to develop and present a coherent body of self-generated work. The senior project combines their knowledge of techniques and concepts while drawing on research of historical and contemporary artists.
You can read more about each artist’s projects on the galleries’ website. One of those featured, Meg Brunner, said she found it “rewarding and exciting” to finally see the exhibit come together after a challenging final semester. “With the COVID delays we weren’t even sure if we were going to have an exhibition at all,” said Brunner, who has been getting her career off the ground as a freelance photographer and graphic designer since graduating.
Tanner Yorchuck in front of his work “Storm Squad.” Photo: James Greco/FGCU
“Senior project is such a defining moment for students in the art program because it’s a way for us to showcase who we are as artists and put all of our skills that we’ve been taught to the test. Being able to share this moment with everyone has been amazing. All of the stress and long studio nights feels so worth it when I look around the galleries and see all of the incredibly meaningful work my classmates and I were able to create.” Plans are already in place to showcase December’s graduating seniors with an online catalog and videos of the artists.
In the meantime, the annual alumni exhibition will feature Eagle grads collaborating virtually with current students to create a printed project. “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To An Exhibition…” will begin with 2018 grad Chloe Lewis teaming up with 2009 alum Steven “Rusty” Coe — online, because she’s a freelance illustrator living in New York City and he’s an independent woodworker and installation artist in Sebring. Florida.
“They will be creating a physical and online ‘zine of their work against a backdrop of adaptability and how to deal with change,” Loscuito said. “They’ll be creating that in September and then we’ll invite the student body to contribute images to that ‘zine and layer them into the artists’ images in October. We’ll print that in November and give it to contributors and our donors. That’s a really responsive way to change from a physical exhibition. How can we create something that’s still engaging to students and alumni but do it virtually and still have a physical object at the end?”
Heather Couch’s “Untitled” installation incorporates ceramics and wool. Photo submitted.
In the midst of the pandemic’s unpredictable impact on operations, no one can see what lies months ahead, but “When We See Further” is still scheduled as an installation to run Oct. 16-Nov. 19 in the Wasmer Gallery. The group exhibition of sculpture, ceramics, photography, drawing and painting features four south Florida artists collaborating for the first time: Heather Couch of West Palm Beach, Marina Font of Miami, Renee Rey of Naples and Terre Rybovich of Homestead. The exhibit explores themes of self-image, physical and psychological connection, impermanence and spirituality.
Artists referencing the body is a topic Loscuito and Assistant Curator Anica Sturdivant had been discussing for a few years. They already had connections with a couple of the artists, and a series of studio visits convinced them the foursome would complement each other in a group show.
“None of the artists had worked together before,” Loscuito said. “Some knew of each other, but they did not know each other personally. After the studio visits, Anica and I discussed inviting all four artists to talk about the possibility of an exhibition. These discussions led to the exhibition we have planned.
“We intend to install it — we can’t capture it with just (one-dimensional, digital) images. We will have an opening virtually with a small group in one of the studios asking questions to the artists. People will be able to join online and ask questions. These are timely narratives.”
“The Eternal Spring,” a triptych in acrylic on canvas with gold leaf, by Francheska Castano of. Photo by James Greco/FGCU
Another topical, multifaceted collaboration involving California artist Travis Somerville, the Black History Museum of Fort Myers and FGCU had been planned for the spring semester. It has been postponed until the 2021-22 school year, when it is hoped that such cooperative projects can happen more effectively without coronavirus-related constrictions. “He really likes to involve the local community,” Loscuito said.
Somerville’s work delves into social injustice and the economic and political structures that perpetuate oppression, racism in America, the refugee crisis and the current global political environment, according to his website.
A rotating exhibit of pieces from the galleries’ permanent collection will take the place of that show, incorporating hands-on workshops for students on matting, framing and hanging artworks. Meanwhile, Loscuito holds out hope that conditions will allow for fully public shows and receptions for the galleries’ much-anticipated annual rites of spring: the juried student show and the senior projects exhibit.
Discover Culture in Collier, a 7-month outdoor entertainment season presented by The Naples Players (TNP), is the latest development in an effort to continue safely providing arts and culture programming while coronavirus concerns still linger.
Additional outdoor entertainment events as part of the Discover Culture in Collier series are slated for announcement in early September. Information about the full season of events will be found at: 
When Myra Janco Daniels read about all the cuts to arts programs in our schools, she wanted to make sure that the arts were supported in the Latchkey Children’s curriculum. Upon opening the Fran Cohen Youth Center on The Salvation Army campus, she participated in developing their programs to include dance, music, art, theater, pottery, culinary pursuits and communication classes.
Your support of these Latchkey Children is important to their futures and to ours because today’s children are our future.
The Naples Players has called itself a “theatre for the community” since we were founded 67 years ago. It is this very creed that has kept The Naples Players operating –even in an augmented form – during these challenging times.
At Naples Art we believe art can change lives and improve entire communities. Through our unique and engaging programs, classes, exhibitions, and events, Naples Art enhances community-wide appreciation for and understanding of the visual arts and supports artists of all ages and aspirations.
Our Grand Finale of the year, an absolute must-not-miss, is our Scene to be Seen event on November 6th that opens Naples Art’s 67th season and Celebrate the Arts Month. “This truly is the most unique event Naples has to offer. The energy and creative expression this event provides, will transport you to the likes of the Met Gala,” said Aimee Schlehr, the Executive Director of the Naples Art.
Pedro M. Zepeda. Pedro was born and raised in Naples. He graduated from Lely High School in 2001 and from Stetson University in 2005, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in… go figure… Art! For those who know Pedro, he is rarely seen without one or all of his four children in tow.
Lately, Pedro has focused on woodcarving and dugout canoes. He is only one generation away from a time when dugout canoes were used as a means of transportation. Cypress logs are carved and hewn out and when dry, they will float even when filled up with people and provisions.
I think one of the most important things she taught me was how to learn through observation. Woodcarving I learned from Ingram Billie Jr. I began to learn about dugout canoes from my older brother, Brian Zepeda. All my teachers led me down those paths, but it was up to me to continue down paths of learning. Our traditional arts are so much more than simple objects, they carry the teachings and knowledge of our ancestors. I’m excited that I can pass on the knowledge that I’ve been carrying onto my children.”
We are blessed! We are surrounded by nature’s beauty and have a number of artists who creatively translate this beauty in their own mediums and styles that offer works to adorn our indoor environments.
When searching for that painting that can brighten your days, be sure and check out Crayton Cove, by the Bay, where a few of Naples hidden treasures can be found. Random Acts of Art offers a wonderful selection of 3-D arts and special gift items that are decorative and practical. Phil Fisher Gallery features watercolors and oils painted by Phil Fisher, Jan Ellen Atkielski, Jeff Fessenden, Lionel Heddy, Janet Kirby and Kevin Barton, who paint en plein air, focusing on Naples and its natural environment.
The month of October, images that depict “Living The Dream” are gracing the walls of the Phil Fisher Gallery. We aren’t able to have show openings still, so please stop by and visit where 8th St S & 12th Ave S meet at the flagpole, during open hours and “find your new favorite painting!”
We add another dimension – we the audience are becoming weary of Zoom meetings and virtual events. A question that is being asked by many in the entertainment world – would the audience be willing to pay, even a nominal fee, for a virtual concert? While the performers want to provide entertainment for their fans, they also need to be able to earn a living with their craft. Can small groups do “driveway” concerts and have individuals purchase tickets?