Artists Preparing For Upcoming Show At Historical Village

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

Preparations continue for the the Sanibel Historical Museum & Village and the Sanibel-Captiva Art League plein air exhibit in February. Members of the Art League over the past months have been painting plein air (in the outdoors) on the Historical Village property. Paintings displayed will showcase the various historical structures. Works are done in watercolor, acrylic, gouache (opaque watercolor), and oil.

Artist Marcy Calkins said, “As I’m painting in the museum, I find myself imagining the early islanders strolling the grounds, living and working. It reinforces my belief that they were hearty souls to live with mosquitoes and without modern conveniences or a bridge!”

Paintings will be on sale at the exhibit. “The exhibit offers a great opportunity to own original artwork of the Village,” said Historical Village Executive Director Emilie Alfino. “We enjoy hosting the painters coming often to the village and watching them painting our unique and wonderful buildings. It’s a delight to have them exhibit their work at the Village.”

The exhibit runs February 5 through 24 in the Shore Haven building at the historical village. The art show is open to the public at no charge. Admission to the historical village is available for the regular $10 fee per adult. The exhibit and historical village are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Art League plein air painters meet weekly on Thursday mornings on both Sanibel and Captiva as well as Fort Myers from October to May. The group gathers to paint the local landscape scenery and architecture.

The Sanibel Historical Museum & Village opened in 1984 and consists of nine authentic historical buildings representing various aspects of life in the pioneer days of Sanibel, including a one-room schoolhouse, a fishing house, a Cracker-style farm house, a tearoom, and more. The mission of the historical village is to preserve, share, and celebrate Sanibel history. In accordance with the city of Sanibel’s regulations, masks are required inside the buildings at this time. Guided tours of the village take place at 10:30 and 1:30, and advance reservations are not required. There is no additional fee for these tours. The historical village is located at 950 Dunlop Road (next to BIG ARTS). Admission is $10 for adults over 18; members and children are free. The village has handicap access to all but one building, the tiny Post Office. For more information, call (239) 472-4648 during museum hours or visit www.sanibelmuseum.org.