Inaugural event aims to unite LBK community through art appreciation

A new source of artistic inspiration is coming to Longboat Key for the first time this year under a new umbrella. This celebration, titled "Arts in April," features four main events throughout the month.

Some may be familiar with the Town of Longboat Key's artist exhibition, which it has held previously for many years. But this year will be an even bigger affair, featuring a variety of talents.

Susan Phillips, assistant to the town manager and public information officer, explained this event aims to bring people together and support local artists.

It all begins on April 3, when members of the public can stroll through the outdoor gardens at Longboat Island Chapel to view the works of 11 professional artists.

Entry is free, and visitors can patronize on-site food trucks while enjoying live music and taking in the art. The Longboat Key Garden Club joins the chapel in sponsoring the event.

Photo by Petra Rivera

Phillips said organizers drew inspiration from the chapel's popular "Christmas in the Garden." Artists may even have some live demonstrations, she said.

"We've had ideas of expanding the art program to something else for a while," she said. "Between the art exhibit, the Savor the Sounds concert, and the other events, the 'Arts in April' concept just materialized."

She said Town Manager Howard Tipton helped pull organizations together to make it a month-long celebration.

The artists who will be displaying their works include Marie Therese Lacroix, Angela Thierman, Barbara Jendrysik, Pat Lundy, Lynn Armstrong-Coffin, June Morse, Reid Gerletti, Erika Ferguson, Igor Levchenko, Collins Rowland and Mary Dice.

Phillips noted 30% of art sales will go toward supporting the garden club.

Town Hall exhibition

Several of those artists and some other local creators will then participate in a special art exhibit and reception at Town Hall from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on April 10.

"Town Hall has regularly had an art exhibit here since 2003, when we built this building," Phillips said. "There have been 82 Town Hall art exhibits."

Lacroix, Theirman, Jendrysik, Lundy, Armstrong-Coffin and Morse will be joined by Ena Carroll, Cheryl Taub, Lynn Wellings and Madeline Wikler at the reception.

Visitors will get the chance to chat with artists about their work while partaking in complimentary appetizers and beverages.

Phillips said the reception "celebrates and brings recognition to the artists we have here."

Attention then turns to the performing arts with a comedy night on April 17 at the Town Center Green. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with a social hour and music by Tim Michael McCaig, and the show starts at 5:30 p.m.

Three comedians will perform, with Chicago-based laugh-inducer Don Tersigni headlining. Longboater Cliff Hornsby opens.

"I've known him for years, and he's always been funny," Phillips said. "But he honed his craft at McCurdy’s Humor Institute, and he is very funny now."

Rounding out the evening is Al Ernst, a fellow McCurdy trainee and top performer with Carnival Cruise Lines.

"We have what we think is a very good line-up, and everyone we've mentioned it loves it," she said. 

Finally, the celebration of creatives concludes with the final of the Chamber of Commerce's "Savor the Sounds" concert performances on April 19. McGaig opens for Easy Street Band, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Phillips hopes attendance will be as high at all four events as they anticipate, and if the new "Arts in April" proves successful, she said the town plans to make it an annual event.