Alliance for the Arts to open All Florida Exhibition, new gallery showcases in March
The Alliance for the Arts presents the 40th Annual All Florida Exhibition, on display March 6-28, alongside two additional gallery exhibitions: Selected Works by Ralph Bigletti in the Theater Gallery and Marilyn Hedlund’s Fine Art Acrylics Students’ Showcase in the Member Gallery. An opening reception for all exhibitions will be held Friday, March 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments, catered by Jayne Baker, will be served as guests move through the galleries at the Alliance’s Fort Myers campus at 10091 McGregor Blvd.
40th Annual All-Florida Exhibition
In the Main Gallery | March 6-28
Now in its 40th year, the All-Florida Exhibition remains one of the Alliance’s most anticipated and prestigious annual shows. As the name suggests, the juried exhibition features artists from across the 65,000 square miles of Florida, showcasing the depth and diversity of contemporary art throughout the state.
This year’s exhibition includes 43 selected artworks by 39 artists, chosen from more than 450 submissions. The works span a wide range of styles and media, from naturalistic to abstract, non-objective to conceptual, and realistic to gestural. The exhibition includes 33 wall-hung works and 10 sculptural works.
Participating artists include:
Samara Ash, Johann Avedano, Brigitte Balbinot, Henry Benvenuti, Deon Blackwell, Leo Boisvert, Lynda Fay Braun, Monserrat Castillo Hernandez, Ariel Collins, Quanel Davis, Alane Enyart, Heidi Fausel, Dave Flach, Torenzo Gann, Mihail Gubin, Rima Jabbur, Claudia Jane Klein, Clarke Kwangwari, Alexander Nixon, Julie Obney, Nancy Oliveri, Raquel Pantin, Karla Pirona, Lynne Renzenberger, Elisabeth Rodriguez, Nadine Saitlin, Ricky Schenk, Stephen Seal, Joel Shapses, Lani Shapton, Norman Silva, Bethany Skena, Alice Sundstrom, Reen Troy, Wendy Wagner, Lynne Wesolowski, Amanda Westenberg, Hal Yaskulka, and Bob Young.
This year’s exhibition was juried by Tim Jaeger, director and chief curator at Ringling College of Art and Design, who shared:
“It has been an immense honor to serve as a juror for the 40th Annual All Florida Art Exhibition presented by the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers. With over 450 submissions spanning a vast range of media, the level of talent and creativity displayed by artists across the state was truly inspiring.
Selecting just 43 pieces for the exhibition was a challenging yet rewarding task, as each submission reflected a unique vision and artistic voice. Throughout the judging process, I focused on not only technical mastery but also the emotional and conceptual depth behind each work. I commend all the artists for their dedication and creativity, whether selected for the exhibition or not. Your contributions enrich our cultural landscape and deserve recognition.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Julio Gonzalez Batista for the exceptional organization of this event and to the staff and volunteers at the Alliance for the Arts for their unwavering support of the arts community.”
In the Theater Gallery
Selected Works by Ralph Bigletti
The Theater Gallery will feature assemblages and metal sculptures by longtime Alliance artist Ralph Bigletti. This dynamic exhibition presents an ever-changing selection of work and is offered as cash-and-carry, experience–purchased pieces that may be taken home immediately.
At any given time, the show includes many small-scale assemblage sculptures, each priced under $50, creating an accessible opportunity for collectors and art lovers alike.
Ralph’s sculptures are composed entirely of found objects and function as intuitive compositional studies–an ongoing creative practice that keeps him mentally active and artistically engaged. Over the past three years alone, he has created more than five sculptures per week, building a vast body of one-of-a-kind works that embody curiosity, playfulness, and persistence.
In the Member Gallery
Marilyn Hedlund’s Fine Art Acrylics Students’ Showcase
The Member Gallery will present a vibrant exhibition of original acrylic paintings by students of Marilyn Hedlund’s Fine Art Acrylics Class.
The showcase reflects a critique-driven studio environment where experimentation, thoughtful dialogue, and individual artistic growth are central. Through one-on-one instruction and group discussions, students explore composition, color, form, and contrast, resulting in a diverse collection of works that demonstrate both technical development and unique personal voice.
For more information, visit ArtInLee.org or call 239-939-2787.
About Alliance for the Arts
The Alliance for the Arts is a nonprofit community visual and performing arts center located in the heart of Fort Myers. Since 1975, the Alliance has been committed to transforming lives and improving community through the arts. The Alliance campus and galleries are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. The center is at 10091 McGregor Blvd. just south of Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. For more information, please call 239-939-2787, visit us at ArtInLee.org, or find us on Facebook, Meetup and Instagram.