Arts Bonita

In the aftermath of Matthew Shepard’s murder in 1998, people in Laramie, Wyoming rallied together to deal with the tragedy. That, says Director Kody C. Jones, raises a crucial question: “Why does it take tragedy to bring a community together?”

This week, one show opens, two close, eight continue their runs and limited engagements include 'Monsters Inc. JR' and "The Laramie Project," at Southwest Florida equity and community theaters.

In June, there are 28 shows at art centers throughout Southwest Florida, including “This Is Not a Pizza Box” at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center.

Since Alyona Ushe assumed the presidency of Arts Bonita in 2023, the arts organization has made tremendous strides in meeting the demands of its members and the community.

From Sarasota to Marco Island and Venice and Sanibel to Arcadia and LaBelle, Southwest Florida is home to more than a dozen art centers. Most host visual art exhibitions showcasing member, regional and nationally renowned artists that change every month. In May, there are 31 shows at these venues, underscoring the importance of the arts in our part of the country.

This week, "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" and "Emma" open, six shows close, 12 others continue their runs and there is one limited engagement at Southwest Florida equity and community theaters.

In his Emmy Award-winning musical, Maury Yeston focuses on the real-life passengers of the ill-fated luxury liner, whose dreams of a new life in the land of the free weren’t scuttled by an iceberg, but by the blind ambition of the men who built and piloted the Titanic on its maiden voyage.

This week, five shows open, six close and 12 continue their runs at Southwest Florida equity and community theaters, including "Titanic the Musical" at Arts Bonita.

The 2026 International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Exhibition at the Davis Art Center headlines 29 visual art exhibitions on view in April at Southwest Florida art centers.

For “Titanic the Musical,” Arts Bonita Director Kody C. Jones has assembled a cast of 55 youth and adult actors. This is not an adaptation of the Leonardo DiCaprio-Kate Winslet tragic romance. The characters in this show are based on real passengers from the voyage. The musical examines the rigid social structure in the U.K. and U.S. in 1912 and the disparate treatment of passengers based on class. Winner of five Tony Awards, “Titanic the Musical” tells a grand story about people's bravery, cowardice and the indomitable human spirit.