Published in Gulf Coast Times
August 31, 2009
By: Yohana de la Torre
On October 2nd, the streets of Downtown Fort Myers will come alive with fine art, music, delicious food and beverages. The date will mark the 13th time for the monthly Art Walk that was started by a group of art galleries and art enthusiasts in 2008.
Held the first Friday of every month from 6 to 10 pm, Art Walk has revived the energy and vibe of our beloved Downtown. Working together, art galleries and establishments along the River District feature local and national artwork and celebrate the beauty of all artistic talent.
“Fort Myers got a wave of new galleries last year all opening around the same time,” says Andy Howl, Co-Owner and Artist of HOWL Gallery/Tattoo and Art Walk’s Co-Chairperson. “The streetscape project was near completion at this point and it was only a natural progression of the gallery scene to evolve into something bigger.”
He continues explaining that several gallery owners, along with the Redevelopment Agency, worked together to make Art Walk a re-energizing of the historic district and a “long term development of Downtown Fort Myers as an established art destination.”
For HOWL Gallery/Tattoo owners, Andy Howl and Alainna Zwiernik, Downtown has proven to be the perfect place for their innovative establishment.
The two young and aspiring professionals have managed several art related businesses over the years, and decided to branch out and create a cutting edge contemporary art and modern tattooing gallery that also mixes retail merchandise like comics, art toys, and posters.
The gallery features work that is more modern and hip than is typically seen in galleries in this area. The feel is somewhat New York meets Los Angeles, along with Howl and Zwiernik’s own pop culture oriented personal tastes.
Andy Howl and Alainna Zwiernik, HOWL Gallery/Tattoo
“Art Walk has galvanized Downtown businesses and helped to promote the entire redevelopment project,” Howl continues. “I can’t think of any other events that showcase a single person’s point of view like visual art. Plus, you have the added social aspect of mingling in a public environment that people really enjoy. It’s casual, it’s hip, and it’s human…and has created a buzz now about Fort Myers being a serious art scene.”
Galleries like David Acevedo’s dass Gallery are also pushing the limits of art in our area. Acevedo along with Co-Owner, Xavier Brignoni, created a venue that focuses on edgier and non-traditional art work only a year ago.
daas Gallery
For Acevedo and Brignoni, daas has taken art and re-birthed it into something bigger and better. With works from artists like Paul Rodino and Scottish Master Painter, Ronnie Ford, the gallery has contributed to making Downtown Fort Myers an art locale.
“The concept of art is a complex one and perceived in many different ways,” Acevedo explains. “For some, it’s about the colors and the beauty of the piece. Others find stories and perceive all kinds of emotions when admiring artwork. It binds us all together and that’s what we do when we gather in events such as Art Walk.”
Arts for ACT Gallery
Arts for ACT Director of Operations, Claudia Goode, couldn’t agree more with Acevedo.
“[Art Walk] is the spark we needed,” says Goode. “We have a beautiful Downtown area that was begging for people to come down and enjoy its many treasures. Fort Myers Art Walk is a winner because we have visual arts, fun crafts, boutiques, plays and musical entertainment. Something for everyone.”
The Arts for ACT Gallery is an ongoing project and fundraiser of Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc., which opened in June of 1999. The fine art gallery, studio, boutique and gift shop promotes cultural education of the visual arts and offers multicultural inclusion to a diverse spectrum of art from over one hundred artists.
Currently, the gallery is undergoing a mini-makeover, just in time, for the one year Art Walk Anniversary. On October 2, ACT will feature the folk-blues work of artist Lennie Jones, Allen Tiller’s photography and the mixed media pieces of FGCU student and emerging artist, Philip Heubeck.
Space 39 Modern & Contemporary Art Gallery will be celebrating Art Walk’s first year in style!
Owner, Terry Tincher’s vision of a gallery that would showcase art that spoke to him as an avid collector has been going strong for four years. He admits art has always been his “vice”. And because of this strong love, looking for work that encompasses a “convergence of technique, talent, and vision” has made Space 39 a success.
“Art Walk has been one of the best things to happen to Downtown,” Tincher says. “The impact on the galleries, the restaurants and bars, and the retail stores has been significant. But the greatest
Terry Tincher
SPACE 39
thing has been the response the community has had to innovative ideas like those of artists such as Pavol Roskovensky, Joy Williams and Hal Buckner.”
For a year now, patrons have been visiting the artistic hub the River District has become, and for the anniversary they are pulling out all the stops!
The idea is festive— streets will be lined with more performers, live musicians, and art will be in every corner. The liveliness in the environment will be contagious and give people the opportunity to enjoy all Downtown has to offer. Galleries will have food and beverages as usual and the Hotel Indigo will be hosting the largest After-Party to date.
- Join the celebration on October 2 from 6 – 10 pm for Art Walk’s One Year Anniversary! For more information about the event or galleries, visit www.fortmyersartwalk.com!
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