Once they check-in at the Fort Myers Beach Art Association they will go to the location of their choosing and paint for the next three days. On Nov. 9,10 and 11, you can watch them create an original piece of art from start to finish."/>
Once they check-in at the Fort Myers Beach Art Association they will go to the location of their choosing and paint for the next three days. On Nov. 9,10 and 11, you can watch them create an original piece of art from start to finish."/>
Once they check-in at the Fort Myers Beach Art Association they will go to the location of their choosing and paint for the next three days. On Nov. 9,10 and 11, you can watch them create an original piece of art from start to finish." />
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Watch the artists Paint the Beach

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MICHELE BUELOW This is a raffle painting donated by Neil Walling

Next week (Nov 8-14) will be an exciting one on Fort Myers Beach with not only the 24th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship taking place but with more than 40 outdoor or “plein air” painters busily painting our beautiful island during the Paint the Beach…Sandcastles to Shrimpboats, a plein air festival on Fort Myers Beach.

Once they check-in at the Fort Myers Beach Art Association they will go to the location of their choosing and paint for the next three days. On Nov. 9,10 and 11, you can watch them create an original piece of art from start to finish. They will be working in watercolor, pastel, oils or another medium of their choosing. Call the art association at 463-3909 to find out locations you might visit to watch them in action…or find them on the beaches and byways along Estero. Visiting workshop instructor Lynne Pittard will be giving a free demonstration of plein air oil painting on Nov. 11, at 2-4 p.m. at the Fish House Restaurant behind Santini Marina Plaza.

The plein air artists will deliver their finished and framed artwork to the festival tent at Santini Marina Plaza for judging by Greg Biolchini, PSA on Friday Nov. 12. That evening the public is invited to join the artists, dignitaries and sponsors at the gala Awards Ceremony and Collectors Preview event in the festival tent at 6-9 p.m. There will be hors d’oeuvres, music by the Naples Philharmonic String Quartet and a cash bar. Tickets will be available at the door or at Fish Tale Marina, the Fort Myers Beach Art Association or the Greater Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce for only $15. The art will be for sale that evening and for the next two days in the festival tent from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday.

Paintings by local artists and beach art association members Kathy Ross, Lee Ackert, Sue Pink, Neil Walling, Terry Shattuck, and Joan Handel have been donated to the festival for raffle. Tickets can be purchased where gala tickets are sold. Paintings are on display at the art gallery until Nov. 12, and then will be at the festival tent. Winners will be drawn on Nov. 14, at 4 p.m. You do not need to be present to win.

The final painting challenge for participating artists will be Saturday, Nov.13. They will have four hours to create a painting in the Santini Marina Plaza and Sandcastle area. These paintings will be judged at 1 p.m. and displayed for sale until 4 that day.

The Fort Myers Beach Art Association gallery is open Monday-Saturday 10-3 and Sunday noon-3. Additional information on the workshops, groups and classes can be found on the website at www.fortmyersbeachart.com or by calling the gallery at 463-3909.The gallery is on Donora Street at the blinking light off Estero Blvd.