FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2013) – In partnership with the Art Council of Southwest Florida, the Southwest Florida Community Foundation will hold a reception for this year’s exhibition series, Art & Community, on Friday, Oct. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the foundation’s headquarters located at 8771 College Parkway, Building 2, Suite 201 in Fort Myers.
Dr. Sandra F. Mark, president of the ACSWF, helped to coordinate this inaugural exhibition series, which highlights six of the 19-member organizations of the Art Council including the Cape Coral Art League, Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild, Southwest Florida Pastel Society, Art Center of Bonita Springs, Art Quilters Unlimited and Alliance for the Arts. Works from the Cape Coral Art League are now showing through October.
“We are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year in which the ACSWF has grown to include more than 6,800 member organization artists,” said Dr. Mark. “This ‘Art & Community’ exhibition series is a wonderful partnership for us as it provides another opportunity for artists to show their work.”
“We’re excited to be partnering with the Art Council of Southwest Florida this year, as we welcome a number of its member artists from the Southwest Florida community,” said Sarah Owen, president and CEO of the SWFLCF. “This community has the great fortune of being the home to many incredible artists whose work has shaped both Southwest Florida and the nation. We’ve met some amazing people through art.”
Public viewing hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call Kim Williams at the Southwest Florida Community Foundation office at 239-274-5900 to schedule a tour.
Formed in 1963, the Art Council of Southwest Florida is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides educational opportunities in the arts, promotes appreciation for the arts and artists in Southwest Florida, encourages the exchange of ideas among member artists and coordinates the activities, venues and exhibition dates of its affiliated organizations. Consisting of 19 affiliated organizations with a total membership of more than 6,800 artists from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties, the ACSWF offers many benefits to member artists including workshops, art classes, special art-related trips at reduced rates, demonstrations and lectures on art-related topics and exhibition opportunities in the Art Council’s Coop Art Gallery, affiliated league galleries, business community and judged and juried shows.
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation is celebrating its 36th year of supporting the communities of Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades and Hendry counties by connecting donors and their philanthropic aspirations with evolving community needs. With assets of $70 million, the Community Foundation has provided more than $56 million in grants and scholarships to the communities it serves. During its 2012 fiscal year, the SWFLCF granted over $3 million to more than 100 different organizations supporting education, animal welfare, arts and human services.
For more information, visit the Community Foundation’s website at www.floridacommunity.com or call 239-274-5900.
