Tuesday, April 16, 2013

May Exhibits at ACT Gallery


Join Arts for ACT Gallery, located at 2265 First Street in downtown Fort Myers on Friday, May 3, 2013 from 6 to 10 pm for the opening reception and art walk for May 2013.  This month, ACT Gallery will feature AQU-The Art Quilters Group’s display of fiber art, “Ronda at Eye Level” documenting a 1980’s streetwalker and addict, Photographer George Mitchell and “Cupcakes and Tea Anyone” the whimsical art of Cassandra Schulz.  Come downtown to view great art and support ACT Gallery and Boutique. 

The Art Quilters Group AQU will be showing their works of fiber art, including hanging art quilts,  and fiber jewelry, purses, clothing and more at the art gallery.  This group of talented women come from Sanibel, Fort Myers, Matlacha, St. James City, and the Cape Coral area  are interested in expanding their knowledge and pushing the boundaries of their creativity with fiber art.  The group ranges from the novice to the expert.  They meet the second Saturday of each odd month at the Alliance for the Arts from 1 pm to 3 pm – new members are always welcome.  This is the second exhibit that ACT Gallery has hosted for the Art Quilters Group.    



Cassandra Schulz was born in 1987 and was raised in the paradise of South West Florida. Throughout her years at school, Cassandra developed a passion for art. During her collegiate years at Florida State University, she explored every type of technique and style available in the effort to find her voice.  It was at Florida State that she earned her bachelor’s degree in studio art, as well as a minor in art history and anthropology. Cassandra continues to work to grow and develop her artistic career. She continues to discover and explore other creative outlets, such as most recently jewelry design.

Cassandra’s artwork developed from the simple idea of comfort. When pondering this concept the first thing that came to mind was food. Food is so much more that just providing nourishment. It is something that brings families together, bonds relationships and fosters happy memories. Everyone has that one iconic food from their childhood that transports them to happy times and lifts their spirits. Her “Cupcakes and Tea Anyone?” brought about the whimsy and fun of both past and present.  Growing guests that may be at the Mad Hatter’s tea party to a world all their own and full of dangers and perils, this exhibit will make you smile.  The creation of these pieces begins and ends with feelings. Representing and experiencing them in the process, Cassandra is having fun with her art.



George Mitchell is a professional photographer and author.  He began photographing traditional blues artists in the early 1960’s.  He has worked as a reporter and photographer in Columbus, Georgia.  He was the executive editor of the Columbus Times.  He has taught both journalism and photography at the University of Minnesota before returning to Atlanta.  In Atlanta, he taught at four high schools for a total of twenty-five years.  George authored six books of photography and interviews from the Atlanta area.  This is the second exhibit for him at Arts for ACT Gallery.  “Ronda at Eye Level,” the story in pictures and words will be shown.  Ronda is a streetwalker and addict that Mitchell documented during the 1980’s in Georgia.  This moving and sometimes hard to view exhibit will take you from their first meeting on the streets to her at times happy moments and through her personal and dark struggles with her demons of addiction.  Mitchell will also show some of his landscapes and landmarks of the Fort Myers area. 


These exhibits continue through Monday, June 3rd, 2013.