Alliance For the Arts

Just enjoyed their Sunday evening concert. The performers were good & it was as a great event. Perfect time of the year for an outdoor concert with friends! I hope they do more!
The relaxed atmosphere & the stage setup was perfect for the occasion.

Something for everyone… from 1 to 102… Greenmarket…classes for both young and old… the center of the arts in Fort Myers… become a member… you will not regret it…

It’s been a pleasure working with the Alliance for the Arts staff and volunteers. Everyone feels very committed to making a difference in the community. Our office is strongly committed to continuing to support the arts. We’re excited to keep growing and developing a continued partnership. Thanks again for making our experience as sponsors more than just logo placement, you made us feel welcomed.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Shafer
Marketing Director
Pediatric Dentistry of Ft. Myers, Dr. Tim M. Verwest, DMD

This is Ft Myers’ darling for grass roots arts and crafts. I attended an opening reception that showcased travelers’ photographs of Asia. The concept was good for moving a visitor around the main gallery. The curator posted intermittent maps of SE Asia and then strung lines of colored strings between the countries and unframed photographs of varying quality. DVDs from the primary photographer were offered for sale, and tables with wine and finger foods were ample for the crowded room. It was heartening to see so many turn out to support the popular artist.
There is a caveat for those thinking they might get a big urban art experience here. You won’t. A volunteer at the door with a $ 5 donation jar ignored arriving guests. The two volunteers serving wine were too amused to apologize when the red wine glasses turned out to be cheap, dribble cups with perforations near the lip. The art had no theme beyond Hey, Look where I am! But the evening was joyful, and the space well laid out to receive the admiring, young crowd.
I waited to preview one of Ft Myers’ Film Festivals’ 2015 documentaries in the theatre. The selection was «Pink Goid,» about the historical rise and fall of Ft Myers Beach shrimping industry. A panel of shrimpers stayed for Q&A, which truly should have magnetized many more attendees than it did. The venue was small, but perfect for the DVD projection onto a small, school room sized screen. Tech difficulties made the footage sputter and stall, reminding me of an exasperating evening at home with a Netflix disc that hadn’t made it through Quality Control. But it didn’t dampen the attention nor mar the interest in the short film.
On arrival, the front door directed Summer Art Camp attendees to use another entrance. The hallways were festooned with their handiwork. Happy!
All in all, Alliance for the Arts performs really well as a well loved community based facility, operated by an energetic not-​for-​profit. Turn off of McGregor Blvd when you see the lawn sculpture that looks like a one-​story high hors d’oevre on toothpicks. One of my fave landmarks, btw.

This is a lovely venue located right at the corner of Colonial & McGregor.
We’ve been to several plays there. It’s not Broadway, but it’s fun and entertaining.
They always also have an art exhibit of some sort. Fun place.
There is so little evidence of culture in southern Florida, this is a bright light for Fort Myers.