FORT MYERS, FL (February 23, 2023) – The Alliance for the Arts received 120 more submissions than the previous  Annual All Florida Juried Exhibit. Out of over 700 submissions, the juror selected 66 pieces to be included in the 37th installment of the Alliance’s longest running exhibition.

The opening reception will be March 3 from 5 – 7 p.m. The free event will feature pieces created by artists working in a wide variety of media from all over the state of Florida, as well as light refreshments provided by Jayne Baker. The exhibit will be on display from March 3-April 1, 2023 at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Ft. Myers, FL.

The juror, Grace Gdaniec, will be on hand during the gallery opening to present awards including $1,000 cash for Best In Show, a 2nd Place gift certificate, $100 cash for 3rd place and Juror's Choice Award(s) of Alliance for the Arts membership(s).

Categories for entry included sculpture, painting (including oil, acrylic, collage, watercolor and mixed media), photography, prints and drawing. 

“The overwhelming response to this call to artists has been so exciting,” said Gallery Manager, Emily Radomski. We’ve never received so many submissions or such a wide range of work. The caliber of artwork submitted shows how much artistic talent there is in Florida, we’re so excited that we get to display a highlight of this talent in the upcoming exhibition.”

Receptions and talks are open to the public and do not require tickets or reservations. While gallery admission is free, a $5 suggested donation keeps Alliance programming affordable and accessible. For more information, call 239-939-2787 or visitArtInLee.org/AllFlorida2023.

This year's exhibition is generously sponsored by American Art Collector and International Artist Magazine.  Find the featured article in the March Issue of American Art Collector (#209) on page 126, or online by clicking here. 

This Year’s Accepted Artists

Phyllis Abedi, Domenica Acquarulo, Barbara Balzer, Linda Behar, Austin Bell, Stephanie Bishop, Sarah Black-Sadler, Jerilyn Brown, Martha Cantu, Hilda Champion, Taylor Crato, Chandler Culotta, Giampaolo Curreri, Dana Donaty, Kim Eifrid, Kasia Farkas, Anders Fernach, Marine Fonteyne, Karl Ford, Nelson Garcia, Valerie Ghoussaini, Muffy Clark Gill, Elise Gold Sewall, Arlet Gomez, Anna Goraczko, Sue Graef, Lisa-Nichol Herd, Roberto Hernandez, Linda Hugues, Maria-Alejandra Icaza Paredes, Dawn Inglis Montgomery, Dan Jensen, Dirce Kennedy, Kathleen Kinkopf, Wendy Kusmaul Keeling, Mary LaGarde, Isabella Lares, Dorotha Lemeh, Eileen Lyons, Bruce MacKechnie, Cheryl Maeder, Nicole Maynard, Pauline Nguyen, Laura Nisita, Lisette Otero Lewis, Luna Palazzolo, Judy Polstra, Connor Poovey, Joy Purcell, Galal Ramadan, Grace Ramsey Barbara Redondo, Joel Shapses, Carlos Sierra, Don Silvestri, Clint Sleeper, Arlen Smith, Austin Stanbury, Thomas Stollar, Jordan Thompson, Lisa Tracy, Laird Vue, Christopher Weeks, Steven Williams, Eric Wilson, Amanda Zirzow

About the Juror

Grace Gdaniec is a south Florida based artist, curator, and arts programmer. With a highly creative and artistic background, she has made sure that art has been a part of her life in many capacities.

Grace has been curating contemporary art exhibitions, developing arts educational programming, and supporting artist studios since 2015. Grace is currently the Manager of Arts Warehouse in Delray Beach, a project of the Delray Beach CRA.

Statement from the Juror, Grace Gdaniec:

It was an honor to jury the 37th Annual All Florida Exhibition at Art Alliance. The large number of entries this year is a testament to the reputation of the Exhibition, and the number of contemporary artists from around the state that are actively creating in Florida's vivid and vast artistic landscape. 

With over 700 entries, the review process was thorough, with each piece considered thoughtfully as it was narrowed down to just 66. I was struck by the diversity in imagery, medium, and style that was submitted. The final selection includes fresh executions of classic motifs such as still life, portraiture, and landscape. There are also works using materials in unique ways such as painting on fabric or embroidering photography. It was important to me to include a diverse selection of mediums in the show, which happened quite organically in the selection process with many great pieces to choose from. I believe the final selection is a snapshot of the significant work Florida artists are doing around the state in contemporary art. In terms of themes and artist statements, I aimed to create diversity there as well. The work in the exhibition includes themes of political statements, observations on society, intimate moments, reflections on family relationships, nature, and beauty to name a few. I believe the variety of themes and use of media is a testament to the diversity of people and cultures who call Florida their home. I enjoy the nuances of the energy of Florida in the art.  

I am really looking forward to viewing the selected works in the gallery space together and interacting with each other. I believe viewers will appreciate the diversity of the selections and will see work that they have not seen before, creating new audiences for the artists represented. This was a wonderful opportunity to know further the talent of Florida artists. Congratulations to everyone who participated this year. 

Theatre Gallery Artist: Christopher Tuscan

Members Gallery Artist: Fort Myers Beach Art Association

About Alliance for the Arts

The Alliance for the Arts is a nonprofit community visual and performing arts center located in the heart of Fort Myers, Florida. Since 1975, the Alliance has been committed to transforming lives and improving community through the arts. The Alliance campus and galleries are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Located at 10091 McGregor Boulevard just south of Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. For more information, please call 239-939-2787, visit us at www.ArtInLee.org, find us on Facebook,  Instagram or follow us on Twitter.