David
Acevedo presents Protest Proposal Series at Arts for ACT Gallery – After a
self-imposed artistic hiatus, visual artist and former art gallery owner David
Acevedo presents a new series of paintings that mark a transitional period in
his career. The Protest Proposal series, which unveils Friday, October 4, 2013
at the Arts for ACT Gallery in downtown Fort Myers, explore a different side of
the artist with darker and more suggestive subjects. The opening reception
coincides with the month’s Art Walk fifth anniversary celebrations.Acevedo became
known in Southwest Florida for his vibrant and aggressively textured paintings
with impeccant whimsy. “Color is still a big part of my work. I am simply
exchanging the tones because the style of these new paintings demands it.” –
says the artist whose new collection features collages and mixed media pieces
with a deeper message. “I am opening up a bit more in regards to my personal
beliefs, dis-beliefs, points of view and social opinion.” – adds Acevedo. David Acevedo was born in Puerto
Rico. He moved to Southwest Florida in 2000 and in 2007 opened his first
professional studio. In 2008 he opened daas Gallery in the heart
of downtown Fort Myers. Along with a group of gallery owners, he co-founded the
Fort Myers Art Walk, which now celebrates its fifth year. In 2009, Acevedo was
awarded Visual Artist of the Year during the Lee County’s Angel of the Arts
ceremony. During his gallery owner years, he discovered and promoted many
emerging artists including Veron Ennis, Joe Lemay, Troy Thomas, Willow and
others. He curated numerous exhibitions for his gallery and other art spaces
around town and collaborated with international artist Ronnie Ford in the
creation of the Vibrant Arts Movement or VAM, which promotes arts through
exhibitions, performance and culinary arts in Europe and the United States.
Xavier Brignoni was an artist before he became an
artist. Having a natural sense for beauty and balance, his understanding of
color and composition was evident. Being a custom framer by trade for over 10
years, he learned to admire and love art in all shapes and styles.
Photography was an ever-present medium in his life. His father, an avid amateur
photographer, had cameras and films around the childhood home. Yet it
wasn't until his adulthood that photography took center stage in this artist's
body of work. Brignoni started taking pictures and playing with filters,
lighting and others to create his photographic works. Innevitably, the mixed
media works began. Traces of his former practices of drawing, interior design
and collage constructions opened the doors to his current works. His love for
vintage looks and styles in fashion play an important role in the subjects.
Architecture, which is yet another one of Brignoni's admired forms of art,
plays a role in what forms his collections of photos and mixed media pieces.
The jewelry design is another way of self expression for Brignoni. Currently,
his designs can be purchased through this website. Brignoni co-owned daas
Gallery from 2008 to 2012. A co-founders the Fort Myers Art Walk, ACT Gallery
and Fort Myers Art Walk welcome him back for the 5 year anniversary. He is also
an avid art collector and supporter of the arts and culture in his community.
The disABLEd Artists
The Arts in Healthcare program at Lee Memorial Health System
is proud to share the works of local disABLEd artists with the Arts for
ACT Gallery in downtown Fort Myers for the month of October. The artwork
consists of over two dozen paintings, drawings and photographs created by
artists within our Lee County disABLEd community including those from
The Lighthouse Center in North Fort Myers, and the Special Population Program
within the Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department. Artists with many
diverse physical and emotional challenges all share their artistic abilities
with the general public.
Contact the ACT Gallery for more information at (239)
337-5050, or Doug MacGregor, Arts in Healthcare coordinator for LMHS at
343-2633.
These exhibits continue through October 28, 2013.
