Paint the Beach chairperson gives thanks
To the editor:
The members of the Fort Myers Beach Art Association would like to thank everyone who made the second “Paint the Beach..Sandcastles to Shrimpboats” plein air art festival a huge success. The artists who participated in the event enjoyed painting the beautiful town of Fort Myers Beach as well as the hospitality of the residents and visitors. They all look forward to coming back next year and bringing their friends as well. We also appreciate those who attended the Gala and purchased some of the beautiful art created during the week.
Our presenting sponsors, Al & Kathy Durrett from Fish Tale Marina and Santini Marina Plaza, made the Collectors Preview Gala truly a wonderful event and thank you hardly expresses enough for what they made possible. The food, from South Beach Grill, Skye’s, Truly Scrumptious, Francesco’s, Fish House, and Sand Bar at the plaza, was delicious, plentiful and served beautifully in the gala tent. Music provided by the singers Jo List and Cory Vagel and the Cypress Lake String Quartet was enjoyed by all.
Contributing sponsors Coldwell Banker, Holiday Inn, World Championship Sandsculpting, Diamondhead Resort, Sunstream Resorts, Lighthouse Inn and Resort, Dohphin Inn and Smokin Oyster Brewery helped make everything possible and are truly appreciated for their generosity. The local newspapers, The Fort Myers Beach Observer and The Island Sand Paper, featured our event frequently and helped to make it a memorable experience for everyone. We thank them for all they contributed to our success. Many others such as the River Weekly and News-Press highlighted Paint the Beach, and we thank them as well.
A special thanks goes to Georgia Reinmuth with Fish Tale Marina, who worked with the art association for a year on the Paint the Beach details and who is invaluable and a joy to work with especially.
Lastly, thank you to our members who came out to work early and late for 10 days and especially George Buelow, our treasurer and “jack of all trades,” who has a hand in everything but the paint!
Michele Buelow
Chairperson, Paint the Beach..Sandcastles to Shrimpboats 2011