Fall into Art: Local Exhibits Immerse the Senses

Sep 13, 2022 09:20AM ● By Ann Marie O'Phelan

Admire the art, study the sculptures, immerse your senses, and attend an event—after all, the fall art lineup is fabulous.

At the Tower Gallery on Sanibel, 23 artists display their work in various mediums—from watercolor to ceramic to wood to glass and metal—all set inside an old Florida cottage where the gallery has been located since 1994. From October 21-23, from 10 am to 4 pm, the gallery hosts its biggest and most popular event of the year. “It’s our annual ‘Art from the Attic Sale,’ explains clay artist and board member JoAnne Bedient. “It is is the only sale we ever have.” The artists go through the gallery and their own studios and mark down their work to some unbelievable prices to make room for new work for the new season. “We are on our 16th year of the sale, and many of our customers plan trips to Sanibel around it,” says Bedient.

Artis—Naples, The Baker Museum, has several thought-provoking exhibitions planned for the fall. “Envisioning Evil: ‘The Nazi Drawings’” by Mauricio Lasansky runs from September 17, through February 19. Lasansky was the son of Jewish immigrants in Argentina, and his work often explored themes of war and violence.

“Helen Frankenthaler: Late Works, 1990-2003,’ appears from September 6 through November 27. Her innovative and experimental soak-stain paintings established her as one of the great artists of the 20th century.

Korean-born, New York- and Seoul-based artist Ran Hwang creates visually stunning installations using buttons, beads, pins, and video projections. Her work demonstrates the cyclical nature of life and fleeting moments of beauty. “Ran Hwang: Becoming Again” is scheduled October 22 through January 8.

Other fall shows include “Recent Acquisitions: 2019-Present,” which highlights significant additions to the Baker Museum’s permanent collection. These include more than 50 works of American, Latin American, and European art from the 1880s to the present day. This show runs from September 6, through January 8.

“Florida Contemporary 2022-23” consists of a select group of visual artists working in Florida. It is slated for October 14 through July 16.

At the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers, “we’ve got a couple of amazing shows coming up,” says public relations director Melissa Tschari DeHaven. “A Place Beyond the Subconscious” features artist Julio Beltran’s imaginative works inspired by surrealism. This exhibit will be in the Grand Atrium in September.

Israel Alpizar’s “Fractasia—Sacred Space in a Sacred Age,” a multisensory experience using traditional painting techniques, contemporary projection mapping, lighting effects, and interactive installations will be in the Capital Gallery during September.

Aldo Castillo, director of Aldo Castillo Gallery in Naples and Estero, is recognized as a leading international art curator and advisor with more than 35 years of diverse experience in the art world as a museum curator, artist, art dealer, and director of several international art fairs. “One of the world-renowned artists that have new pieces featured at the Naples gallery is conceptual photographer Lluis Barba, who merges social criticism into the contemporary realm,” says Elizabeth Lynch, business development manager. Another gallery artist is Hugo Diaz, who expresses himself through kinetic art. His work encompasses geometric abstraction, color, lines, light, and elements to create virtual movement.

In the realm of public art, the City of Cape Coral has jazzed up its landscaping with a sculpture by the husband and wife artistic team of Gus and Lina Ocamposilva. This aluminum sculpture, entitled “Sailing,” is an abstract of boat sails that gives the viewer a sense of movement with an airy and playful appeal. “The site-specific commissioned sculpture captures color through the contrasting tones of sunrise, sunset, and the reflection of the sun off the water,” says Kaitlyn Pearson, Cape Coral’s public information specialist. The Cape Coral Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) chose the talented sculpture team from a field of more than 83 applicants to create a unique sculpture for the community. “The purpose of this sculpture is to add color and beauty to South Cape while celebrating public art,” adds Pearson. The sculpture was installed on May 31, 2002, at the roundabout on SE 47th Terrace at Vincennes Blvd.

Ann Marie O’Phelan is a Southwest Florida resident and a regular contributor to TOTI Media.