BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts)

This past weekend, BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) proudly hosted its Fall Film Festival, featuring three acclaimed documentaries by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Andrew Rossi in the Christensen Performance Hall. The event brought two unforgettable days of inspiring films, engaging discussions, and a wonderful sense of community. Saturday night featured a delicious boxed dinner catered by Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant on Sanibel Island, and we were thrilled to share the evening with such a wonderful group. We’re especially grateful to the Little Wing Fund, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, and the Fort Myers/Lee County Tourist Development Council for their generous support in making this festival possible. A heartfelt thanks to Andrew Rossi for sharing his time, insights, and behind-the-scenes stories about his creative process and the hurdles of contemporary documentary filmmaking during the Q&A sessions. The BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) Fall Film Festival was a truly memorable celebration of art, community, and storytelling. A huge shout out to BIG ARTS gallery Director, Wilson McCray for spearheading this wonderful project. Please share. #BIGARTS #FallFilmFestival #DocumentaryFilms #CommunityEvents #SanibelIsland

BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) had an amazing time connecting with our friends and supporters from local businesses at this month's Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce luncheon. This week's speakers were Kathryn Kelly, CEO of the The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center, and John Talmage, director of the Lee County Economic Development Office. They gave us an inside look at the latest on our local workforce and economic growth plus a "sneak peek" on new exciting initiative. It's inspiring to be part of such a wonderful community! John Lai Dolly Farrell Lee Ellen Harder Michelle Schweber Chip Roach Grace Robson #BIGARTS #SanCapChamber #CommunityConnections

BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) is ready to welcome you with open doors and an array of exciting experiences! Explore captivating workshops, music, fine art, and more. #swflstrong #sanibelstrong #resilience #performingarts #finearts #community

Relationships are at the heart of what we do. Sanibel and Captiva nonprofits gathered today for a 1/2 day seminar to reflect on our inter-organizational relationships and the different types of networks we need for improved resiliency and collaboration. Chair and Professor of the Rutgers University School of Communication Dr Marya L. Doerfel led us through an analysis of our social capital and provided each of us with the tools to begin to evaluate how we can improve the way in which we collaborate. Thank you to Dana Souza who provided our opening reflection on what he has learned about relationships and collaboration since Hurricane Ian. Ding Darling Wildlife Society were gracious hosts! The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) Community Housing and Resources CROW - Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc. CAPTIVA CIVIC ASSOCIATION INC Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce Sanibel Community Association @Trailways Camp, FISH OF SANCAP Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) Sanibel school Fund, Children’s Education Center of the Islands, THE SANIBEL HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND VILLAGE INC

BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE OUR FALL FILM FESTIVAL – November 15-16! Join us for an unforgettable weekend with Emmy-nominated filmmaker Andrew Rossi, known for his critically acclaimed documentaries like Page One: Inside the New York Times and The First Monday in May. Over two days, we’ll screen three of his finest works, all in the stunning Christensen Performance Hall. Special thanks to our generous sponsors: Dorothy and Seth Hemming, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, and the Fort Myers Lee County Tourist Development Council for making this event possible. In addition to the films, you’ll have the rare opportunity to enjoy a dinner reception and participate in an exclusive Q&A with Rossi himself. Dive deep into his creative process, the challenges of contemporary documentary filmmaking, and the stories behind his impactful films. The Full Festival Package is available for $80 and includes tickets to all three films, Saturday’s boxed dinner reception, and both Q&A sessions. ?For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/g6Kc-CiX Don’t miss out! #FilmFestival #BIGARTS #AndrewRossi #DocumentaryFilm #Sanibel

BIG ARTS CAUSEWAY PANTHER FINDS A HOME We're thrilled to announce the addition of a new and stunning piece to our permanent collection: the Causeway Panther! Salvaged rebar from the Sanibel Causeway, after the devastation of Hurricane Ian, has been transformed by the talented artist Wendy Klemperer into an 8-foot-long sculpture that embodies grace, movement, and resilience. This beautiful piece, now located in the wooded area in front of BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts), is a testament to the power of art and community. David and Jackie Lurio were inspired by the sculpture's message of resilience and decided to ensure it remains a part of BIG ARTS permanently. David shared, “We realized that so many more people for years to come would be able to see this beautiful expression of the Island’s resilience if we made it possible for the Causeway Panther to have a permanent home at BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts). We didn’t want it to cross the causeway and go off the island.” Our Gallery Director, Wilson McCray, who retrieved the rebar, reflected on the generosity behind this act: “The scope of this act of generosity is so far-reaching. It will sustain the metaphor of resilience, keep the memory of our trials, losses, and survival alive, and evoke the experience for all our community and visitors alike – that it’s true, with vision and skill, we can take the remains of a terrible disaster and create such beauty. We can recover. This is a message for generations to come.” See the Causeway Panther at 900 Dunlop Road and explore our two galleries, sculpture garden, and gift shop. BIG ARTS on Sanibel Island was created by and for the community?and will endure forever as a warm and welcoming cultural center that celebrates the artist in all of us. Visit?BIGARTS.org?for hours, details, and programming information. Stay tuned for our exciting 2024-25 season announcement this summer! #BIGARTS #SanibelIsland #CausewayPanther #ArtResilience #Community #CulturalCenter #ArtMatters https://lnkd.in/eUKF9pYY

BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) is IN THE NEWS! https://lnkd.in/e5imBC8d #arts #sculpture #sanibel #captiva #community

A huge shout out to David Lowden and Bank of the Islands for their generous support of BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) Annual Benefit. We appreciate your time, talent and commitment to helping BIG ARTS mission to provide an array of quality entertainment, arts and education programs that enrich and nurture the lives of Sanibel and Captiva residents and visitors through professionally led arts and enrichment classes and workshops for students of all ages; stimulating and informative lectures and group discussions with renowned national thought leaders and educators; and dynamic visual and performing arts presentations of the highest caliber. THANK YOU for your support!

The GREAT DUBOIS Comes to Sanibel Island on Sunday FREE and open to the public, the BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) Family Day will occur on Sunday, April 14, from 3 to 6 p.m. It will feature an exciting circus show, live performers, children’s workshops, “make and take” art experiences, food, beverages, and more! “Our free gatherings are a wonderful way for BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) to play a meaningful role in the community,” Executive Director Lee Ellen Harder said. “They are a great opportunity for us to introduce residents and guests to the BIG ARTS facility and everything our organization offers.” The afternoon will kick off at 3 p.m. with a performance by the Great Dubois in BIG ARTS Christensen Performance Hall. The Great Dubois is a fast-paced, high-energy circus show for all ages, showcasing incredible feats of juggling, hula hoops, unicycle, aerial, circus stunts, contortion, magic, and audience interaction all wrapped up in a blanket of comedy. It is the most unique 2-person circus show you will ever see! After the performance, more entertainment and hands-on make-and-take activities will be?outside in the Malone Family Sculpture Garden. There will be a stilt walker, juggling, and hula hooping by Citrus Circus members. This free event will have family-friendly food and desserts. A complimentary bar of beer, wine, soda, water, and a specialty kid’s mocktail will also be provided. Both galleries are open and free for guests to experience the two current exhibits: “Uprising” by Wendy Klemperer in the Dunham Family Gallery and “Gatha Poem Paintings” by Beth Schroeder in the Mezzanine Gallery. Family Day is free, but tickets are limited and required to attend The Great Dubois performance. Visit https://lnkd.in/e9HXGWbq or call (239) 395-0900 to reserve tickets. # # #

BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) Annual Benefit: Oh What a Night! More than 300 people gathered on March 22 for the BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) Annual Benefit, one of the most fun, exciting nights on the islands – complete with lavish buffets by Jamie’s Cuisine, open bars, post-show desserts, and champagne. Guests were on their feet when they heard The Doo Wop Project, featuring stars of Broadway smash hits Jersey Boys and Motown: The Musical. The musicians brought unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence to recreate – and in some cases creatively reimagine – some of the greatest music in American pop and rock history. BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) raised more than $270,000 from this year’s benefit. Proceeds will help the organization, now in its 45th year, continue to provide an array of quality entertainment, arts, and educational programs that inspire and enrich the lives of Sanibel and Captiva residents and visitors. Exclusive Producing Sponsors for the Annual Benefit were Gustav and Vibeke Christensen and Jim and Gaye Piggott. The Exclusive Corporate Presenting Sponsor was Bank of the Islands. “My heart is full. After all that everyone has endured, words cannot express the sheer joy of seeing the community coming together to support the arts … oh what a night!” said BIG ARTS Executive Director Lee Ellen Harder. Great communities create great organizations. BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) was created in 1979 by and for the community and owes its rich history to a small band of dedicated artists who drew inspiration from each other and from the breathtaking island beauty that infused their work with grace and authenticity. They set out to create a special gathering place where artistic and educational experiences were accessible to all. Today that vision is alive and well. With the help of loyal donors and supporters, BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) will carry that vision forward – providing joy, inspiration, and a sense of community for generations to come. The BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts) season has much more to offer, including a free Family Fun Day, performances, art exhibits and receptions, films, and workshops. The gift shop featuring unique items by local artists and artisans is open year-round. To learn more, visit bigarts.org, or call 239-395-0900.