VIP artwork to be be displayed at Commissioner Hall’s office
Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall is supporting local artists by giving them an opportunity to display their artwork in her Fort Myers office.
This month members of the VIP Center of SWF will display various artwork in the District 4 Office at the Old County Courthouse. The display includes oils and acrylics of various nature scenes. The work will be on display until March 25. The public is welcome to stop by and view the work and learn more about the artists. Call 533-2226 to confirm office hours for viewing.
The arts are an important part of the cultural and development of our community Hall said.
“I believe that government can play an important role in public awareness, developing the use of public spaces for display and interaction of art, and for the encouragement and commitment of continued financial support both public and private of all the arts,” she said in a prepared statement.
Other local artists will be featured every six weeks.
Hall’s office is on the first floor of the Old County Courthouse, 2120 Main Street in downtown Fort Myers.
Hall is the recipient of the Angel of the Arts Award – Business Sponsor 2009. She was elected to the Board of Lee County Commissioners in 2004 and re-elected in 2006. Her district includes North Fort Myers and the central and northern portions of Cape Coral. For more information on this program, please contact Carmen Salome, Executive Assistant, at 239-533-2226.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
– Crystle Barrs: born with Nystagmus, an eye condition which causes her to be legally blind. Her medium is acrylic and she likes to experiment with pastels. At the age of 25 Crystle currently works as a instructors assistant at the Visually Impaired Persons of SWF.
– Paula Dahlman: legally blind with Macular Degeneration, Paula works in watercolors and learned her craft from Jerry Madden School of Painting.
– Carol Sue Henry: Diagnosed with Glaucoma since childhood. Carol Sue has not let that stop her creative abilities. She likes painting with acrylics and says painting in general helps her learn and strengthen her ability to focus her eye sight.
– Margaret Hinklein: Margie, as a well- known artist, has not let Macular Degeneration slow her down. Working with acrylic paints she has sold her art work across the United States.
– Doris Johnston: Doris lost her eyesight due to Macular Degeneration. As a part-time minister, active mother and grandmother, Doris likes pastel colors and favors flowers when she paints.
– Lois Kilgore: Lois is a well-known artist who started painting at a very young age with her father. Though legally blind with Macular Degeneration, Lois likes putting fine details in her painting.
– Jean Kugelman: After being diagnosed with Macular Degeneration Jean has kept very active with her artwork. Animals, people, and landscapes are just a few of Jean’s favorites to paint.
– Janet Ray: because of Retinitis Pigmentosa Janet is slowly losing her eyesight but that does not stop her from creating beautiful pieces of artwork. Janet likes to painting in acrylics best but is also starting to work with ceramics.
– Debbie Reusch: stricken with Macular Degeneration at a young age Debbie turns to painting as a great way to help her through some frustrations.
– Martha Scott: Martha, diagnosed with Macular Degeneration likes to paint with watercolors and acrylics. Trees are amongst her favorites to paint and she says painting has helped her maintain and use the remaining areas of vision.
– Freda Van Pelt: Freda is one of the earliest groups of artists at the Visually Impaired Persons of SWF and is now the leading force behind the program. Unlike some, Freda had never painted before. Diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, Freda loves to paint in bright colors with landscapes being her favorite.
Visually Impaired Persons of SWF is a nonprofit rehabilitation center committed to ensuring blind and visually impaired persons have the tools, support and opportunities necessary to successfully achieve their desired level of independence. For more information please visit: www.vipcenter.org or call 997-7797.
Source: Commissioner Tammy Hall, Lee County Board of Commissioners, District 4