SanCap Chamber, CCA Celebrate Latest Neighborhood Mural

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

SanCap Chamber, in partnership with the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB), cut the ribbon Jan. 6 on a new mural on the side of the Captiva Civic Association (CCA)/Memorial Library shared building at 11550 Chapin Lane. The mural is the ninth of 10 the VCB has been debuting in communities throughout the county in past years.

“The murals identify places throughout our destination and what’s special about them,” said Nancy MacPhee, manager of VCB product development. “We wanted to touch every one of our 10 communities. Each mural is interactive, and people can have their pictures taken with it.”

World-renown artist Ben Keller’s “Captivating Captiva” mural honors the island’s heritage and natural beauty, drawing from historical photographs. It invites viewers to step back to a time when early settlers arrived to a lush, wild landscape uncluttered by man’s footprint.

“The mural reminds us that Captiva exists at the intersection of past and present, and that stewardship of the island is a shared responsibility for future generations,” says Lauren McCraney, CCA director. “As the Captiva Civic Association celebrates its 90th anniversary, the mural stands as a symbol of stewardship and continuity. It is both a visual invitation and a testament to CCA’s enduring commitment to nurture community life and preserve Captiva’s land and heritage.”

The VCB selected the CCA building for its long-standing role, visibility, and accessibility as a community anchor on Captiva. The selection highlights CCA as an ideal setting for meaningful, place-based public art.

“We are so proud to have another of the VCB’s neighborhood murals in our island community,” said John Lai, SanCap Chamber president and chief executive officer. “In 2023, we cut the ribbon on the fifth mural right here at the chamber visitor center on Sanibel. It’s a wonderful program that unites us and gives visitors a very real, very beautiful way to emotionally connect with our communities.”

“The SanCap Chamber supported the project and participated in the ribbon-cutting celebration,” said McCraney. “As a chamber member, the CCA values the chamber’s continued role in fostering community connection and collaboration across Captiva and Sanibel.”

ABOUT SANCAP CHAMBER
The SanCap Chamber is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of its members and preserving the quality of life of our community. The Chamber plays a key role in facilitating communication and cooperation between business, residents, and government to enhance the economic health of the islands. Its website, sanibel-captiva.org, receives over 1.3 million visits per year. For more information about the chamber, visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact John Lai, president and CEO, at 239-472-2348 or John@sanibel-captiva.org.