Marco Island Arts Advisory Committee: Walk with the Masters creates multi-dimensional living art

Alan Sandlin, left, Kathleen Rinaldo and Rob Eder, new principal of Marco Island Academy, join in discussing artwork to be depicted at Arts Afire! Walk with the Masters planned for Sunday, March 18, at Mackle Park. Cheryl Ferrara / Eagle Correspondent

Members of community art and service groups meet Tuesday in the training room at Marco Island's Fire Department to discuss choices for living artwork to be viewed at Arts Afire! Walk with the Masters. Cheryl Ferrara / Eagle Correspondent

MARCO ISLAND — From “Alice in Wonderland” to “American Gothic,” planners for Arts Afire! Walk with the Masters put some meat on its bones at Tuesday’s Arts Advisory Committee workshop.

Eleven groups came forward to participate in the March 18, event agreeing to sponsor living art tableaus. Works varied from the comedic to the sublime with some organizations still in the process of selecting their depictions. Tableaus of living art will be viewable from 1 to 4 p.m. on the day of the event.

Art groups were asked to choose locations around Mackle Park’s lake for their presentations. Each of the 11 stations will include life-sized depictions of artwork and most will be accompanied by live acoustic music.

Participants who visit the walk will follow the sidewalk around the lake, viewing tableaus and selecting their favorite for the People’s Choice Award to be given at the end of the viewing period. Art groups will provide individual information about their selections and also will share information about their organizations. Each visitor will receive a brochure to aid in their enjoyment of artwork as they stroll around the lake.

“We want people to have fun with this, Enjoy it,” said Craig Gruesel, a member of the arts committee and representative of Marco Lutheran Church for the Walk.

The City of Marco Island’s Parks and Recreation will sponsor a Big Band concert to anchor the event. The band will perform from 2 to 2:45 p.m. and 3:15 to 4 p.m. Refreshments including hot dogs and smoothies will be available for purchase.

Masterworks included Artist Colony at the Esplanade’s “Luncheon of the Boat Party” by Pierre-Auguste Renoir; The Marco Players’ “American Gothic” by Grant Wood, Marco Island Academy’s “The Dance” by Henri Matisse, Marco Lutheran Church’s “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci and Marco Island Foundation for the Arts’ “Three Musicians” by Pablo Picasso.

On the lighter side The Island Players is considering “A Mad Tea-Party” by illustrator John Tenniel from the storybook “Alice in Wonderland,” and Marco Island Yacht Club will turn to pop-art and depict Popeye the Sailor. The Marco Island Historical Society will capture its own mural depicted on the exterior of its museum based on an original artwork of Paul Arsenault.

The Jewish Congregation of Marco Island will go modern with a living creation of Dale Chihuly glass. Calusa Garden Club is considering a choice from local artist Jo-Ann Sanborn, and Backstage Dance Academy will be selecting a Degas.

“Flame” awards will be given out following the Walk. The awards, supported annually by the City of Marco Island, recognize excellence in art by Marco Island residents and those who support them. Categories take into account special achievement during the past calendar year.

Public nominations for Flame awards were accepted through Feb. 14. Final selections will be made Friday by the Arts Advisory Committee. Awards will be given for cultural leadership, individual artist achievement, public/private art in business and arts in education. There were no nominations for the emerging artist award this year.

The committee planned another workshop for participating groups of Arts Afire! Walk with the Masters at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6. The meeting will be held at Mackle Park and will include a site visit to the lake and sidewalk areas.