Gulf Coast Life Arts Edition

The Wasmer Art Gallery at FGCU is hosting an exhibition of works by multidisciplinary artist Onajide Shabaka titled “Becoming Tomorrow’s Dream.” Shabaka’s work is deeply rooted in historical, cultural, and ecological narratives often exploring themes related to the African diaspora, collective memory, history, anthropology, and ethnobotany. We will talk with Shabaka about the exhibit and his broader artistic practice.

Multi-award-winning Blues musician, songwriter, painter, and craftsman James “Super Chikan” Johnson visited Florida Gulf Coast University this past spring to speak to students and make a couple of performances at Artis-Naples. During his visit he stopped by the WGCU studios for conversation about his life’s journey through music, his handcrafted instruments made from recycled parts, and how he got his stage name.

The Wasmer Art Gallery at FGCU is hosting an exhibition of works by multidisciplinary artist Onajide Shabaka titled “Becoming Tomorrow’s Dream.” Shabaka’s work is deeply rooted in historical, cultural, and ecological narratives often exploring themes related to the African diaspora, collective memory, history, anthropology, and ethnobotany. We will talk with Shabaka about the exhibit and his broader artistic practice ahead of his artist talk, Jan. 22, at the exhibit’s opening reception.

We talk with painter, veterinarian, and life-long outdoor enthusiast Dr. Jackson Trescott about his exhibition at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center titled “Neon Coast: Southwest Florida Under UV.” Works in the show depict Southwest Florida landscapes, seascapes and wildlife offering a unique dual experience, as they appear completely different under blacklight.

Players Circle Theater is mounting a production of “Little Women: The Musical,” which is a stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel about the lives of the March sisters as they navigate love, loss, and self-discovery during the Civil War Era.We take a deeper dive into the show in a conversation with the director Ted Wioncek III, and actors Kimberly Suskind and Paulette Oliva who play the roles of Jo March and Marmee.

In collaboration with the National New Play Network’s Rolling World Premiere program, Florida Repertory Theatre is mounting a production of playwright Brent Askari’s new comedy “ADVICE.” We’ll learn more about the play and the NNPN’s efforts to showcase contemporary playwrights and new plays in a conversation with Askari, the director of the Florida Rep’s production Brendon Fox, and NNPN Executive Director Nan Barnett.

The Foulds Theatre Gallery at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers is showcasing an exhibition of works by Southwest Florida-based artist and painting instructor Terry Lynn Spry. We talk with the artist about works in the exhibition, her creative process, and approach to arts education.

In collaboration with the National New Play Network’s Rolling World Premiere program, Florida Repertory Theatre is mounting a production of playwright Brent Askari’s new comedy “ADVICE.” We’ll learn more about the play and the NNPN’s efforts to showcase contemporary playwrights and new plays in a conversation with Askari, the director of the Florida Rep’s production Brendon Fox, and NNPN Executive Director Nan Barnett.

A Southwest Florida tradition has returned with Players Circle Theater’s currently running production of the company’s original musical revue titled “Ho! Ho! Ho! The Christmas Show.” We take a deeper dive into the show with co-writers Robert Cacioppo and Ted Wioncek.

The Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation and Players Circle Theater are once again teaming up to bring Southwest Florida into a world-wide festival of short plays called Climate Change Theatre Action. The festival, which coincides with the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference, aims to use theater as a tool to translate the climate crisis into personal, emotional and collective stories. We take deeper dive into the initiative in a conversation with Players Circle Theater’s Carrie Lund Cacioppo and Jenny Evans and Matt DePaolis with the SCCF.