New garden park opens in Punta Gorda
Mila Bridger
Shangri-La Springs in Bonita features four artists Dec. 13
Shangri-La Springs, a cultural historic property in downtown Bonita Springs, invites the Southwest Florida community to enjoy an array of artistic and musical experiences at its Art & Nature Community Night on Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. The Dream or Reality exhibit will feature works from photographer Mila Bridger, painters Danielle Braunchaud and Cesar Aguilera and sculptor Tim Smith. The free community event will feature a variety of activities and performances throughout the property including a tapas dinner, live performances and presentations of artistic works from local
artists and musicians, and a special visit from Santa Claus, as well as fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Guests can enjoy a free alllevels yoga class at 7 p.m., complimentary massage treatments at The Spa, and a community drum circle led by Sayer Ji will take place at 6 p.m. Organic beer and wine will be available for purchase throughout the evening and reservations are available for a tapas dinner in the Great House from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Visit online at www.ShangriLaSprings.com or call 239-949-0749 to learn more. Shangri-La Springs is located on Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs.
Changing exhibits are featured in the spacious art gallery of the Cape Coral Public Library, which is located at 921 SW 39th Terrace. Artwork by Martha Stevenson will be featured on the walls of the gallery. Stevenson has painted and experimented with different media since childhood. It was her fondness for painting on a wide variety of surfaces that lead her to join the Decorative Artists of Southwest Florida (DASF) for which she served as a past president and continues as a member. While working in the controlled style associated with decorative art, Martha discovered that painting loosely in acrylics on canvas allowed her to be more expressive. She employs brushes and palette knives and isn’t afraid to mix up acrylics with watercolors and oils, to add ink on finished acrylic paintings, or to apply printed contact paper on canvas. Artwork by Debbie LaCavera, who is also a member of the Decorative Artists of Southwest Florida, will be featured on the walls of the library’s gallery. The art world was opened up to Deb a
few years ago after retirement, and she’s picked up a paint brush just about every day since. At this point, she describes her style as anything that happens to catch her eye. Through the world of teachers and painting mates she’s experimented in acrylics, watercolor, multi media work, hand painted scarves, up-cycled yard art and batiks. Unique sculpture created by married couple Jeff and Dale Ocasio will be featured in the gallery cases. The Ocasio’s are award winning, local artists, who work collaboratively to create sculpted art expressing an imaginative, storybook spirit. Sculpting with paper masking tape over wire and reclaimed objects is where their artwork begins. It’s a unique medium that the Ocasio’s find extremely liberating. The current show will be available for viewing during library business hours until Dec. 29. The exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of the Cape Coral Library. For more information, contact art gallery chairperson Monica Rahman at (239) 258-2991 or monica4608@comcast.net.
Florida’s newest garden park, Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in Punta Gorda, opened Phase I on Oct. 20. The waterfront gardens offer a sanctuary of art and nature by featuring botanical collections and contemporary interpretive art with 11 sculptures emerging from the lush landscape. Roger and Linda Tetrault and the Roger and Linda Tetrault Family Foundation began development of the property in 2006. The Tetrault Foundation, a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit foundation, is providing one of the largest endowments for public botanical gardens in the State of Florida – and will continue to provide funding to ensure that the garden experience is improved, year after year. Ostriches by ”As a destination, we invite visitors to experience how our best side is outside. The combination of lush gardens and contemporary art makes the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens the perfect complement to Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach’s amenities and attractions,” said Lorah Steiner, director of tourism with the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau. The gardens will cover 27 acres of which 17 will be developed and 10 will remain as waterways, marshland and heritage mangroves. This includes the Tetrault home and four-acre property. Currently, 11 acres have been developed including the Garden Community Center where visitors can enjoy a light bite and enjoy the visiting exhibit. When complete, the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture
Stevenson, LaCavera and Ocasios on exhibit at Cape Coral Library
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DECEMBER 2017
Keel by artist Kemal Tufan
artist Yu Zhaoyang photos by Gary Brownell Gardens will be one of Florida’s largest botanical and sculpture gardens. More than 3,500 botanicals have been planted on the grounds and includes the caladium garden, succulent garden and hibiscus garden. Visitors can walk the Mangrove Marsh Boardwalk and view all three of Florida’s mangrove trees, red, black and white. A 50 million-year-old stone palm frond fossil serves as the inspiration for the logo and signature sculpture. Eleven sculptures by internationally-renowned artists range from a 21,000-pound “Steel Palm” by Boston artist Jacob Kulin to “Ostriches” – two 20-foot tall human forms by Mr. Yu Zhaoyang from The People’s Republic of China to “Keel,” a massive lava stone structure by Turkish artist Kemal Tufan to “The Thinker,” a spoof on the Rodin original was designed by Ichwan Noor, of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. On display through March 2018 is the visiting botanical photo exhibit by artist/photographer Laurie Tennent. Her outdoor collection is created from actual specimens found in the Peace River Gardens. The five permanent works on aluminum were purchased for the garden through a grant from the Charlotte Community Foundation. Located at 5800 Riverside Drive in Punta Gorda, the Peace River Botanical Gardens is open Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed Monday). Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for Seniors, Students (through High School) is $8 and children 5 and under are free. Annual memberships and group discounts are available. Visit www.peacerivergardens.org for additional information.
Barb Hosack art showcased in Cape galleries Lorne’s Gallery and Frame Gallery & Gifts, both in Cape Coral, will feature the art of artist and gallery owner Barb Hosack in December. Born in the Pacific Northwest, Barb is inspired by sea life and had an original “gallery” at Pike Shed Market in college. Barb says she loves the colors of Florida and tropical water colors of turquoise and blues. As a long-time gallery owner, Barb works with designers and individual artists to achieve artistic bliss. A special reception will be held Dec. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lorne’s Gallery, unit 108, at Marina Village at Tarpon Point in Cape Coral, during the monthly Sunset Stroll. Barb’s artwork can also be seen at Frame Gallery and Gifts, 1830 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral. Call 239-945-0866 or 574-5111 for more details.
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