Fort Myers Beach Art Association splashes into summer show at new gallery

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"Daybreak at Lakes Park," an oil painting by Fort Myers Beach Art Association artist John Rizza, was showcased at the "Spring Fling" show at the association's new gallery at Cypress Lake Square in Fort Myers. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

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"Iguana" painting by Chris Woodring of the Fort Myers Beach Art Association. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

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Fort Myers Beach Art Association President Star Sherwood. Photo provided

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"Whiskey Creek Live Oaks on an Overcast Day" by Susi Wigenroth. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

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Mini master artworks for sale at the Fort Myers Beach Art Association's new gallery at Cypress Lake Square in Fort Myers. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

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"Sunrise at Blind Pass" by Tamara Culp.

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The new Fort Myers Beach Art Association's gallery at Cypress Lake Square across from the Pawnbrokers Restaurant. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

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“Radiance” by Paul Mollon, is one of these many artworks that will be shown at this month’s "Splash" Fort Myers Beach Art Association show

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Fort Myers Beach Art Association member Susi Wigenroth with her oil painting of the Fort Myers Beach shrimp dock at the association's new art gallery at Cypress Lake Square. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

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The members of the Fort Myers Beach Art Association still have a dream to one day rebuild and reopen their gallery off Shell Mound Boulevard and Donora Boulevard that collapsed after being knocked down by Hurricane Ian.

The prohibitive cost has sidelined that hope for now and instead the group, which dates back to the 1950’s, has found a new home at a space at Cypress Lake Square off McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers.

The association has opened up the doors of its new space and has started its summer “Splash” show which runs through June 28 at the new gallery, located across from the Prawnbroker Restaurant and Fish Market.

The working gallery and the new art show will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from noon to 6 pm.

“We are very excited about our new space,” Fort Myers Beach Art Association President Star Sherwood said. “It has brought the energy our artists needed to jump start their creativity and has given us a beautiful area to paint together.”

The new spot is located amongst shops and restaurants at the plaza that should give the Fort Myers Beach artists some extra visibility for their works.

“Over the past few years we have all been working so hard rebuilding our own homes and dealing with the changes in our own personal lives due to the hurricanes,” Sherwood said. “It is a good feeling to now be able to settle down and get back into our artwork.”

The summer “Splash” follows the “Spring Fling” featuring dozens of eye-catching works of art, including many oil paintings featuring distinctive Fort Myers Beach locations, wildlife and other scenic images.

The works showcased includes art from the plein-air group which meets regularly to paint on the scene outdoors. Plein-air group member Susi Wingenroth said the plein air group has been a “huge game changer” for her artwork. The group meets twice a week and sometimes as many as three times a week to visit different locations to inspire their paintings. Wingenroth said the group can ran from half a dozen painters to as many as 20 sometimes.

A former elementary art teacher, Wingenroth said “it’s exciting to be around talented, longtime painters.”

In addition to displaying the paintings of its members, the gallery also provides a space for members to work on their art.

All of the artwork in the gallery is for sale.

The Fort Myers Beach Art Association’s gallery is a working gallery operated by

member artists. The gallery is home to dozens of works of art as well as

workshops and workspaces.

For more information, visit https://fortmyersbeachart.com