Pat Cleveland and Annette Brown at ACT Gallery for May 2017

Join Arts for ACT Gallery, located at 2265 First Street in downtown Fort Myers on Friday, May 5, 2017 from 6 to 10 pm for the opening reception and art walk for May 2017.  The gallery will also be open on Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 11am to 4pm for those who could not come to the Friday night Art Walk.  This month, ACT Gallery will feature “A Retrospective” by Pat Cleveland and the mixed media art of Annette Brown.  New Works from over 25 Co-op Artists will also be featured.  

Main Gallery – Pat Cleveland – A Retrospective

 Pat began painting at age three when her mother, an artist herself, put a brush in her hand and gave her a small canvas to paint on. Born in New Jersey, she graduated from Traphagen School of Design New York, N.Y., then worked as an interior designer for Bloomingdales until 1975 when she moved to Florida. where she was a designer at Robb and Stucky.

After retiring Pat became a member of several local art leagues showing her work in group and solo exhibits winning awards and notices. In 1996 one of her paintings won an award in an international competition sponsored by Artis Spectrum Magazine, New York City and was featured in an issue of that magazine.  An active member of art organizations, Pat taught creative workshops and art programs for adults and children.

Pat’s work has been presented by Rick Moore Fine Art Gallery, Naples,Fl., Sanibel Gallery, Seaweed Gallery both of Sanibel, Fl., Witt and Witt Gallery, Ft. Myers Fl., Wildchild Gallery,Matlacha,Fl.,Syzygy Gallery, Ft. Myers,Fl., Images Gallery, Lakeland,Fl.,Arts for ACT Gallery, Ft. Myers, Fl. Her work is in many private collections including such notables as Lily Tomlin the actress, Russian Ice Dance Olympic Gold Medalists, local and national collectors.

Pat developed macular degeneration in 2013 which has made her legally blind. She 

continues to paint considering the vision change not as a challenge but as an opportunity for creative growth. Her paintings are oil on canvas and her subject matter varies from landscapes, animals, florals, and still life. In 2013 Pat was one of six featured artists of ACT for their annual fundraiser auction. In 2016 Pat received an award from ACT for 28 years of donating to the auction..

This exhibit has some of Pat’s work before and after the vision changes.

“This retrospective exhibit contains a selection of early and new paintings. Since macular degeneration has changed my vision to a great extent, the viewer will note that I am using a strong color palette and less detail as well. It is a new way of seeing  and expressing my thoughts and feelings and I have been enjoying the transition from my earlier style of work. it has given me a sense of freedom from painting with more detail.” ~ Pat Cleveland

White Gallery – Annette Brown

Annette Brown is a mixed media artist that incorporates found objects and collage into her works.  Often working in acrylics, she has taken classes with Verron Ennis and Leo Johnson. 
Annette’s work is both innovative and aesthetic.