Arts for Act: Arts for ACT Gallery Exhibits opening March 1st

Arts for Act: Arts for ACT Gallery Exhibits opening March 1st: Michael Pohlman Baseball - Michael Pohlman Baseball Art Michael Pohlman was raised in Beloit, Wisconsin, where his art training st...

Arts for ACT Gallery Exhibits opening March 1st

Michael Pohlman

Baseball - Michael Pohlman

Baseball Art

Michael Pohlman was raised in Beloit, Wisconsin, where his art training started in a well organized public school program. Mike attended Rollins College and Bradley University in the early 60's on a scholarship for baseball.  He was told that Art and athletics did not mix. He graduated with majors in Physical Education, U.S. History, and Art. He taught all three subjects before moving to Chicago Heights, Illinois. He eventually became Coordinator of Physical Education and Varsity Baseball Coach at Bloom High School. His creative energies went into an innovative Outdoor Adventure curriculum and Baseball program that led him to the Illinois Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame Honors.

Mike began painting again in 1988. He won a spot in the Union Street Galley's inaugural show in 1995 and was offered a studio. Over a ten-year period, his work was shown in multiple venues in Chicago and its suburbs. His abstract series "Before Time" is an extension of his 60's training and his sports renderings incorporate his extensive knowledge of baseball and athletics. Mike says, "Art is like athletics to me. The discipline of the process is the same. You train yourself to use skills to compete for a desired outcome. Whatever the results, you continue to refine your performance along with looking for new ways to use your abilities to succeed."

Mike now paints in Fort Myers, Florida and is the Varsity Pitching Coach at Bishop Verot High School.  Baseball fans and art lovers alike should not miss this mixed media Baseball exhibit.

City Park by B. A. Mintz

B. A. Mintz

Born in New York City and raised in Southern California, Barb’s first exploration with acrylic paint was decorative and extended from 1967 until 2004. From 2004 until 2008, she studied with Gale Bennett in his studio in Giverny, France, and in workshops in Lee County Florida.  Bennett taught her to see color and shape.  Barb paints entirely from imagination.  Almost like a stream of consciousness in writing, she sees her painting in her mind. Barb feels emotion from the color relationships she uses and likes to experiment with different applications.  As her paintings evolve, figures or objects often emerge.  She encourages these visions to stay, hoping the viewer might envision it too.  Color remains a big passion in her abstract expressionism paintings.  B. A. Mintz’s paintings are in collections in California, Texas, Vermont, Georgia and Florida. 

Artist Statement:  “Color and Music are languages we all understand. They skip over our logic and go right to our soul. They evoke feelings that words find difficult to express.  I hope my paintings convey this to the viewer.” ~ B. A. Mintz

These exhibits continue through Monday, April 1, 2013.   

Arts for Act: Folk Art Blues Artist Mr. Lennie Jones "Roots & Br...

Arts for Act: Folk Art Blues Artist Mr. Lennie Jones "Roots & Br...: Join Arts for ACT Gallery, located at 2265 First Street in downtown Fort Myers on Friday, March 1, 2013 from 6 to 10 pm for the opening rece...

Folk Art Blues Artist Mr. Lennie Jones "Roots & Branches" exhibit opens at Arts for ACT Gallery

Join Arts for ACT Gallery, located at 2265 First Street in downtown Fort Myers on Friday, March 1, 2013 from 6 to 10 pm for the opening reception and art walk for March 2013.

Folk Art Blues Artist Mr. Lennie Jones holding one of the
new Scream Guitars featuring the art of Lennie Jones  

Lennie Jones “Roots and Branches”

A unique visual celebration of America’s original blues music with nationally acclaimed Everglades folk artist, Mr. Lennie Jones.            

Artist Statement: “Paintings for and about them that has lived marginal yet full & made a joyful noise.” ~ Lennie Jones

Seems as if art has always been a most joyous part of Lennie Jones’ daily life, alongside music, it has continually filled his need for soulful expression & redemption. Lennie typically begins his creativity time 'round 3:00am, putting on his good coffee, and then running two wonderful rescue dogs through the black woods. Screech Owls wailing, Tree frogs squealing, Whippoorwills whistling, insects chattering, scurrying night critters, the big Southern moon lighting Spanish Moss hanging from sumptuous Live oaks, these are the things that most inspire him.  Back at his little house, with a massive cup of black coffee, two sleeping dogs alongside him on his sofa, music playing softly, this is when he is the most creative. If studying or working on a specific musicians' portrait or a song themed piece, he prefers to listen to those particular inspirations while initiating the painting. Lennie paints on an old dark wood coffee table, no easel. Acrylic paint and many different brushes, white linen canvas, and his dogs.  These are his favorite tools.   “No studio for me Art is a lifestyle & a joyous part of my simple life, every day,” states Lennie. 

Pearl Rose by Jones

Lennie Jones is an outsider artist, painting the Folk Art of the Blues experience.  Highly collectible, his one-of-a-kind orginal art, (no prints or repros) reflect his self-taught style, his life experience, and holds his soul & sweat in each piece.  Lennie never look at his painting in terms of person-hours, materials, etc. but prides himself by making his work available for all to enjoy.  Lennie was selected as the event artist for the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival for fall of 2013.  He was recently commissioned to create a portrait of Grammy award winning Blues guitarist/songwriter Anders Osborne and was also commissioned to paint a portrait of country music’s’ legendary musician, historian and TV host Marty Stuart for the new Museum of American Music in Mississippi.  Scream Guitars will also be debuting six guitars featuring six paintings by Lennie Jones.  ACT Gallery will display the guitars along with over 50 new works for the “Roots and Branches” exhibit.     

Primal Voodoo by Lennie Jones

This exhibit continues through Monday, April 1, 2013.  

 Arts for ACT Gallery provides a quality, contemporary exhibition gallery featuring original art, limited edition prints, giclees, hand-crafted fine crafts, tee shirts, silver and glass bead jewelry, gourd art, raku, clay, and art cards. It is a “must see” destination for all art lovers and collectors, providing a unique opportunity for everyone to learn and enjoy art.  Highlighting the art of the current featured artist, the front gallery, reminiscent of galleries in SoHo, has 12 to 16 foot high ceilings, distressed brick walls, and warm wooden floors. It is a great opportunity to meet the   featured artists, enjoy some local food and have a glass of wine, and engage in lively artful repartee.