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Many think of this time of year as the end of season. Now that Easter has come and gone most think the doings on the island start to wind down. What with the end of another great exhibit Art Interprets History closed and the pARTy behind us one might think that this is also true for the Center for the Arts (known to many as the Art League), however I am here to tell you it is quite the contrary.

April for the Center for the Arts has been recognized as Aspiring Artist Month and as such there are many opportunities to recognize aspiring artists, visit working artists, and this year experience the arts through literature and photography.

With a focus on promoting education in the arts and appreciation for excellence in the arts, at the center we take that focus literally during the month of April. The Center begins with a week long exhibit of works created by participants of the Young Artist Academy. A reception to recognize the achievements and an exhibit of their works will open on April 6 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the center’s Lauritzen/Rush galleries. The Young Artist Academy is a grant funded program that provides an opportunity for students who have demonstrated basic talent in the arts to learn techniques and fundamentals from professional artists. Funded by the Suzanne H. Arnold Foundation, the program focuses on eighth grade level students with the intent to encourage them to continue their education in the arts, while also providing them with a positive way to express themselves as they make the change to high school. Eleven young artists participated in this year’s program resulting in teachings from four professional artists or instructors in clay hand building, drawing, oil painting and clay wheel throwing.

This exhibit is followed up with the Collier County High School Scholarship Applicants Exhibit; a program open to all Collier County junior and senior high school students. The Scholarship program at the Center for the Arts was developed in 1983 with just $500. This year $10,000 has been budget for awards. The only word that comes to mind in describing this exhibit is phenomenal! Each student submits a body of work, three pieces, in their choice of media. In the past this exhibit has displayed close to 300 works by the young artists. The creativity, the expression, the technique all make this a show not to miss. The exhibit also runs for a week from April 21 to 26 with a closing reception and awards ceremony on April 26 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

In between these two inspiring exhibits there are two more opportunities to experience the arts through the center.

On April 11 the Fifth Annual Artist Studio Tour will take place. This cultural trip provides the opportunity to visit artists in their private studios as well as purchase art directly from the artist.

This year promises to be another sell out as the tour hosts painters Judith Chinski, Inez Hudson, Phyllis Pransky, Robert Ewell, and photographer Len Messineo along with artists at work in the Clay Studio at the Center for the Arts.

The tour this year takes the group to studios located on Marco and in Naples.

Now I know in the past this caused a bit of confusion for the tour groups, but this year the volunteers organizing this event have coordinated the trip so that groups will spend the morning on Marco and the afternoon in Naples or visa versa with a luncheon at Eagle Creek Golf Clubhouse. During the luncheon, Marco Island’s very own award winning interior designer Sandy Elliott will provide a presentation on collecting and displaying art. Of course what would a tour like this be like without a wrap up session at the Center for the Arts with wine, cheese, and a gathering of the participating artists.

Then we move on with a focus on the expanded mission of the Art League — Center for the Arts, as Terracina Grand hosts an invitation to celebrate life’s journey with a poetry reading and book signing by photographer Bernie Saunders. The Grace of Ordinary Days is a compilation of poems written by Mr. Saunders’ mother Kay Saunders that is accompanied by Bernie’s vivid color floral photographs. The literary event will take place in the Lauritzen/Rush galleries, as they are transformed into a coffee house and wine bar, on April 13 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

As you can see the Center for the Arts is here to provide our community with every opportunity to enhance our lives through the arts.

Reaching out we also support the Artist Appreciation Series that will begin April 10 at Orion Bank.

So for those of you who think season is ending, maybe we need to modify our thinking to a new season is beginning.

For more information on the Artist Studio Tour or The Grace of Ordinary Days reading and book signing please contact the Center for the Arts at 394-4221 as reservations are required.

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Christine Neal is the executive director of Marco Island’s Center of the Arts. She holds an Associate of Arts Degree in the Liberal Arts with emphasis in the Fine Arts and various certifications and designations in business and the arts. An award winning artist, with 20-plus years in management and sales. Marco Island’s Center for the Arts is located at 1010 Winterberry Drive 239-394-4221 mail@marcoislandart.com.