Preserving an Artistic Legacy | Beloved James Digiorgio sculptures restored by Hermit Garage’s Jason Sanders
You Are Here, the beloved public sculpture created in 2006 by the late Fort Myers artist James DiGiorgio, has been thoughtfully restored following damage sustained during Hurricane Ian in 2022. The restoration, completed by artist and fabricator Jason “Sandman” Sanders, founder of Hermit Garage, ensures the iconic artwork will continue welcoming and inspiring visitors to the Alliance for the Arts campus for years to come.
“The path to restoration has been long, but it is so important. We are thankful that our FEMA process for Hurricane Ian is coming to a close,” said Jordan Jameson, director of operations at the Alliance for the Arts. “Restoration is more than repairing and painting; it’s about preserving the stories, creativity and history that make our campus unique. James DiGiorgio’s work has become part of the identity of the Alliance, and we’re incredibly grateful to Jason Sanders and Hermit Garage for restoring ‘You Are Here’ with such exceptional craftsmanship and respect for James’ vision. This sculpture will continue inspiring our community for generations to come.”
Fabricated by DiGiorgio Metal Design, You Are Here and its campus counterpart, Car Helix, reflect the distinct regional mastery of their creator, the late James DiGiorgio, who passed away in 2021. A highly influential metal sculptor and designer, DiGiorgio left an indelible mark on the Southwest Florida cultural scene through a larger-than-life artistic presence and a deep commitment to community-driven art. Beyond his iconic campus sculptures, his legacy extends across the region to downtown Fort Myers, where he crafted the landmark banyan tree and river-inspired lobby chandeliers at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. This same dedication to regional identity anchors his work at the Alliance for the Arts, where his towering, structural metal fabrications continue to serve as vital cultural landmarks.
Sanders carefully restored the sculpture while preserving DiGiorgio’s original artistic vision. The project included cleaning, repainting, welding, returning the sculpture to its original angle, and reinforcing it with an anchoring system to better withstand future storms while maintaining the artwork’s integrity.
“It was an honor to be trusted to restore ‘You Are Here’,” said artist Jason Sanders. “I’m humbled to have been part of bringing new life to such an iconic piece in our community.”
Fort Myers artist David Acevedo, owner of DAAS Co-Op Art Gallery & Gifts and Arts & Eats Café on the Alliance campus and a longtime friend of DiGiorgio, reflected on seeing the completed restoration. “My friend James DiGiorgio would be very pleased and humbled by this. Always with us through his beautiful creations!”
Born and raised in Fort Myers, Sanders spent much of his career in construction, operating heavy equipment and working with steel before turning his focus toward art. As founder of Hermit Garage, his work spans painting, metal fabrication and mixed media, blending industrial techniques with bold artistic expression. His hands-on experience with large-scale fabrication made him uniquely suited to restore one of Southwest Florida’s treasured public artworks.
The restoration of You Are Here (2006) is part of the Alliance’s ongoing commitment to preserving and restoring public artworks throughout its campus. Sanders is next set to restore DiGiorgio’s Car Helix (2004), another landmark sculpture damaged during Hurricane Ian. The project will honor DiGiorgio’s legacy while thoughtfully preserving elements of the sculpture’s weathered character, ensuring its history remains part of its story.
These projects are part of the Alliance for the Arts’ evolving ArtsPark initiative, a long-term vision to transform its 10-acre campus into an immersive destination where art, nature and community come together. Planned enhancements include accessible walking paths, permanent and rotating sculpture installations, a Plein Air Pavilion, the Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial, pollinator gardens, a Story Walk featuring local authors and illustrators, ambient sound installations highlighting local musicians, enhanced campus signage, docent-led and virtual walking tours, and the continued restoration and preservation of public artworks.
Community members interested in supporting ArtsPark and future campus improvements can make a donation at ArtInLee.org/donate. For more information about the Alliance for the Arts, upcoming exhibitions and campus projects, visit ArtInLee.org.
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, Florida. 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. Located 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, find us on Meetup, Facebook and Instagram.