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These elongated forms, representing the jobs of yesteryear, are created and displayed by Tyler Voorhees from Michigan. -CASEY BRADLEY GENT \/ FLORIDA WEEKLY<\/p>\n
For art enthusiasts eager to view the work of creators from in and around Florida and beyond, the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary provided an ideal venue at the Community House on Sanibel Island over the weekend. The 43rd Annual Rotary Arts and Crafts Festival was held Feb. 14 and 15, where nearly 80 vendors set up booths showcasing original artwork for sale. While a number of artists said they attend the show annually and will continue to, others shared that while shoppers seemed eager to browse, this year, very few were buying. Still, the wide array of art and style had Rotary members cheering.\n<\/p>\n
Debbie Small, a member of the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary for less than a year, said she was impressed by the event. \u201cThis is a wonderful turnout, particularly since it is the only annual fund-raising event we do,\u201d Small explained. A $10 donation for admission was accepted at the gate, and vendors paid $500 to participate in the two-day event. Savannah Kelly, a resident of Fort Myers, said she joined the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary three years ago because she loves their mission of service. \u201cThis yearly event helps us to provide Rotary scholarships,\u201d Kelly explained. \u201cWe provide scholarships for technical schools and conventional universities. Students who live on the islands do receive priority when it comes to allocating our scholarships.\u201d Scholarship applicants are not required, though, to live on Sanibel or Captiva.\n<\/p>\n
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Creator Joyce Curvin holds one of her Art-Official Pets, a Blue Jay, crafted with Papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 and placed in a banjo. -CASEY BRADLEY GENT \/ FLORIDA WEEKLY<\/p>\n
Along the perimeter of Sanibel\u2019s Community House, a gathering place located on Periwinkle Way where lectures, holiday events, celebrations and art shows like this one keep the community buzzing, tents lined the building on three sides during President\u2019s Day weekend. Joyce Curvin, an artist from Palm Harbor, FL, creates paper m\u00e2ch\u00e9 pets and creatures painted with vivid color. \u201cThese pets are very well behaved,\u201d Curvin teased, commenting on the fact that her creations are \u2013 well \u2013 motionless sculptures. Curvin also said that she has been attending the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Arts and Crafts Fair as a vendor for three years. \u201cThis show has a great vibe. From the guests, to just being set up on an island. I love doing this event,\u201d Curvin stated. She added that she plans to return next year, on Valentine\u2019s Day weekend, for the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary event.\n<\/p>\n
Artist Tyler Voorhees traveled to Sanibel from his home in Michigan. Voorhees creates elongated forms; gritty historic surrealism representing \u201cthe jobs of yesteryear,\u201d he explained. Voorhees said he began experimenting in elementary school with long, lean figures as doodles. \u201cI\u2019m also really into history,\u201d he added. Among Voorhees\u2019 collection is a lineman and a major league pitcher. He said he had not had many sales on Saturday, but hoped buyers would be coming back to the Rotary Arts and Crafts Festival on Sunday to make purchases. Fellow vendor, Andee Axe, agreed. \u201cIt isn\u2019t the show\u2019s fault, but people aren\u2019t buying,\u201d she said. Axe creates brilliantly colored paintings of blooms, books and even fashion. Her home base is Naples, Florida.\n<\/p>\n
Art vendors weren\u2019t the only businesses set up outside of the Community House. Food trucks with big colorful lemonades, kettle corn and hot dogs were scattered between artists. Camy\u2019s Kettle Corn operator, Macy Robinson, said her truck had been busy. \u201cWe have had a small line most of the day,\u201d she added. \u201cPeople always love our lemonade.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Inside the Community House, tables were laden with silent auction items like a Sanibel-themed gift basket and locally crafted jewelry. Every part of the event was designed to raise money in the spirit of serving others. Savannah Kelly was confident this year\u2019s Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Arts and Crafts Festival had done just that. Bids on the silent auction items grew throughout the weekend, and winners were announced Sunday evening. At 4 p.m. Sunday, an announcer thanked the weekend\u2019s attendees for visiting and stated the show will return bigger and better in 2027.\n<\/p>\n
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