Third annual Island Art Days

Islanders will have an opportunity to meet the artists and buy their wares at the Third Annual Island Art Days, scheduled to be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6, next door to Gasparilla Outfitters and Special Effects for Women. So far, 13 artists are scheduled to be present at the show.

Local artist Julie Salvetti, who makes fine pearl and gemstone jewelry, is one of the organizers of the event and explained how it all came into being.

“Necessity is the mother of invention - we’ve all heard that, but ain’t it the truth!” she said. “Myself, Mel Landon and John Harris (John is a wood carver who has since moved to the frozen North) were talking together one day after an art show. As friends and fellow art colleagues, we had many things in common. A uniting thread was that we all had clients on Boca Grande, and we all had difficulty showcasing our new work to our Boca Grande clients.”

Salvetti said after they realized it didn’t make sense to try bringing clients who live on the island away from the downtown district of Boca Grande to shop, Salvetti said, “Let’s hold an art show … let’s just do it.”

With the help of Salvetti’s friends Mel Landon, Robin Melvin of Special Effects for Women and Robin’s mom, Judy Davis, that’s exactly what she did.

“Mel came up with the motto ‘Opening doors to the arts,’ because that is our intent and our goal,” Salvetti said. “We want to open the door, welcome people in, and share our skill and knowledge with others who are interested. All are welcome, we all have something to share and learn from each other.”

Salvetti said that artists for the show are selected for their originality, creativity and longevity of each piece.

“This speaks to quality of the craftsmanship and, most important, what our work can teach other artists,” she said. “This criteria circles back to ‘opening doors’ - we want to help, share and join. Art transcends our differences and brings us together. We do not ‘jury’ an artist in, we ask them to join us.”

Exhibitors will include Heather Kendall and Meredith Haws Balasco; Sal Massulli; Bob and Ruth Wessel; Jim Sears; Anne Marie Solomon; Gerri Raley; Stuart Hoeckel and Carroll Swayze.

Proceeds from this two-day event will benefit Puffy Paws Kitty Haven in Englewood. It is sponsored by Special Effects and Gasparilla Outfitters.

The show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 5 and 6.