Charlotte Arts and Members Events
— March 13 to 27, 2020 —
The Charlotte Arts website lists all arts and humanities events in its cultural calendar . Learn about Charlotte Arts news , member news and opportunities for artists .
Each event title below is linked to the website where you can learn more about that event.
All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Some events listed may be changed because of the Coronavirus COVID-19.
If you wish to confirm the status of any event, please contact the event host.
The next email will be released Friday, March 27. By Noon on Wednesday, March 25, please follow "Submit Events, News and Opportunities" link above to provide information for both this e-newsletter (member events only) and the online cultural calendar (all arts and humanities events), member news, and opportunities for artists.
Charlotte Arts will receive a $1 donation for every $2.50 Community Bag purchased during the month of April at the Winn-Dixie stores at  3280 Tamiami Trail  and  2000 Kings Highway .
Please support
Charlotte Arts!
Ongoing Events and Performances
Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
| Sunday Noon to 6 p.m.
Port Charlotte Town Center Mall
| 1441 Tamiami Trail between J.C. Penney and Dillards

Alligator by Robert Broyles.

Artists whose work will be on display from Feb. 13 to Mar. 22 are Betty Beasley, Karen Bell, Shelley Bell, Robert Broyles, Christine Brunette, Donna Dinneen, Carolyn Dlouhy
Walega, Adrienne Lasky, Lionel Lewis, Larry Palmer, Laura Pommier, Rita Schwab, Samantha Stone, Betty Teramo, and Gloria Urban. See a sample of the artists' work .
Artists whose work will be on display from Mar. 26 to May 3 will be listed on the website by Mar. 25. Reception : March 29, 2 to 4 p.m.
Free art exhibits by local visual artists at locations throughout the county. Art changes as often as six times a year. See a sample of their work and learn about the locations .

Snowy Egret by Christine Brunette.


March and April 2020
Receptions will be added to the website as details are confirmed.
  • Karen Bell at Mid-County Library (2050 Forrest Nelson, Port Charlotte)
  • Robert Broyle at Cayo Costa Dental (316 Helen Avenue, Punta Gorda) Reception: Tuesday, March 17
  • Larry Palmer and Jill Lindsay at Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center (75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda)
  • Chris Brunette at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home (9400 Indian Springs Cemetery Road, Punta Gorda) Reception: Wednesday, March 25, 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Lee Jones at Kays-Ponger Uselton Funeral Home (635 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda) Reception: Thursday, April 2, 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Shelley Bell at Charlotte County Administration (18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte)
  • Larry Palmer, Tina Weida and Mary Lundeberg at Punta Gorda Airport (28000 Airport Road, Punta Gorda)
  • Sharon Stchur at Port Charlotte Library (2280 Aaron Street, Port Charlotte)


Floral Paintings by Charlotte Arts member Rita Schwab
Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Orchid Envy | 339 West Venice Ave., Venice
Art is on display through the season.
Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Third Thursday open to 8 p.m. for Wine Walk
113 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda
March 5 to April 2: James Beech, watercolor and acrylic artist, and Nancy Giffin, Nantucket basket and Shaker box artist

Apple Crisp by Kathy Ericson.
March Guest Artists: Eileen Amster, oil and acrylic artist, and Kathryn Erickson, pine needle artist

Spring Madness Courtyard Sale: March 13 and 14
See one-time events below for details.
210 Maud Street, Punta Gorda
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 1, 8, and 15
Third Thursday open to 8 p.m. for Wine Walk

Feb. 7 to March 25: The Biennial National Art Exhibition
This is one of the nation’s most prestigious juried exhibitions of two-dimensional media. Learn who was selected as exhibition winners.

New Growth by Staacy Jo Dermott.

Visual Arts Center Off-Site Exhibits
  • The Wyvern Hotel (101 East Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda)
  • Nix & Associates Real Estate (2421 Shreve St, Unit 111, Punta Gorda)


Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
5950 Sam Shapos Way, North Port
Wednesday to Sunday, March 4 to 29
Thursday to Saturday, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. | Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m.
Lemon Bay Playhouse | ​96 West Dearborn St., Englewood
Saunders, the general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is primed to welcome world-famous Tito Morelli, known as Il Stupendo, the greatest tenor of his generation, to appear for one night only as Otello. The star arrives late and, through a hilarious series of mishaps, is given a double dose of tranquilizers and passes out. His pulse is so low that Saunders and his assistant, Max, believe he’s dead. In a frantic attempt to salvage the evening, Saunders persuades Max to get into Morelli’s Otello costume and fool the audience into thinking he’s Il Stupendo. Max succeeds admirably, but Morelli comes to and gets into his other costume, ready to perform. Now two Otellos are running around in costume and two women are running around in lingerie, each thinking she is with Il Stupendo. A sensation on Broadway and in London’s West End, this madcap, screwball comedy is guaranteed to leave audiences teary-eyed with laughter. Cost: $23, $14 students.
Wednesday to Sunday, March 12 to March 29, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. except 2 p.m. on Sunday
This Neil Simon classic delightfully recalls the last time the Hines family gathered in the summer of 1953 in the Poconos. Cost $22.

See one-time events below for more events by
Charlotte Players and Lemon Bay Playhouse
Check out the art on sale as part of the Sea Grape Gallery Sale. Art above by Eileen Amster.
Check out the great events that'll be held in the next two weeks!
One-Time Events
in chronological order. Events at Fishermen's Village are weather permitting.

Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
113 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda
The artists invite the public to come and take advantage of the greatly reduced prices on art that the artists themselves love but must part with, in order to make room for new art coming into the Gallery. Come meet the artists and find great values on all types of unique original art including paintings, jewelry, pottery, basketry, photography, glass, and so much more.
Gallery hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Third Thursday open to 8 p.m. for Wine Walk

Friday, March 13, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
You will be mesmerized by the sweet sounds of the Tsimbaly instrument from Belarus, so superbly executed by this astonishing musician.

210 Maud Street, Punta Gorda
Friday, March 13, 1 p.m.
Gallery hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Peace River Wildlife Center's Sunset Celebration
Friday, March 13, 5 to 7 p.m.
Peace River Wildlife Center | 3400 Ponce de Leon Parkway, Punta Gorda
Sandra's artwork will be on sale with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Center. Some pieces will also be included in a silent auction. Bidding closes at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, March 13, 5 to 9 p.m.
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Performs acoustic and classic rock and originals, including Charlotte Harbor Moon.

Saturday, March 14, Noon to 4 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Enjoy Reggae, Calypso, Buffett and Marley performed on the Steel Pan.

Saturday, March 14, 5 to 9 p.m.
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Enjoy the music of the 50s, 60s and country.

Sunday, March 15, 1 to 5 p.m.
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
National Slide Guitar Champion mesmerizes with his Contemporary folk, acoustic blues, roots rock, and American fingerstyle performance.

Sunday, March 15, 4 p.m.
Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 701 Carmalita St, Punta Gorda
Experience the brilliance of composers Franz Joseph Haydn and Marvin Hamlisch with the award winning Charlotte Chorale, who will once again showcase both classical and modern composers accompanied by symphonic musicians. The performance will feature compositions by Haydn and composers he influenced and works by Marvin Hamlisch, one of the most prolific and influential composers of the twentieth century for both Broadway and Hollywood. A professional-level, seventy-voice chorus of local singers dedicated to the enrichment of music of all genres, the Charlotte Chorale is under the outstanding direction of Dr. William Dederer. Cost: $25, $10 students.

Monday, March 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
You will be mesmerized by the sweet sounds of the Tsimbaly instrument from Belarus, so superbly executed by this astonishing musician.

Tuesday, March 17, Noon to 9 p.m.
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Celebrate all day with music of:
• Singer/Guitarist Paul Cottrell, Noon to 4 p.m. in the Village Courtyard
• Island Sounds of Jimmy G 1 to 5 p.m. near Good ‘Ole Days Coffee
• Vladimir Gordokin performing on Tsimbaly Noon to 4 p.m., third section of Village
• Kellyn Celtic Arts Irish Step Dance 2 to 2:30 p.m., Center Court
• Lee County Pipes and Drums, parade through Village at 5:30 p.m. followed by performance in Village Courtyard
• Traditional Irish Music by Mark Fitzpatrick and Eddie Dillon, 5 to 9 p.m. in the Village Courtyard

Cayo Costa Dental | 316 West Helen Avenue, Punta Gorda
Thursday, March 17, 5 to 7 p.m.
Refreshments will be served. Hosted by Cayo Costa Dental. RSVP to cayocostadentalpg@gmail.com.

Wednesday, March 18, Noon to 3 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Enjoy diverse and unique blend of Standards, Pop, Country, Folk, Swing, R&B, Blues and Rock.

March 19, Noon to 3 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Enjoy country, rock and standards from the last 30 years with Paul's own songs that tell stories in his own way and time.

Thursday, March 19, 4 to 7 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Enjoy Reggae, Calypso, Buffett and Marley performed on the Steel Pan.

Reception: Thursday, March 19, 4 to 6 p.m.
Art will be judged by an artist with first, second and third prizes awarded in each of six categories. A Best in Show award and a People’s Choice award will be judged by attendees of the event. Art will be displayed in the carpeted hallway to the left of the main entrance on Gertrude Street.

Thursday, March 19, 7:30 p.m.
Charlotte Performing Arts Center | 701 Carmalita St, Punta Gorda
Late Nite Catechism returns with Denise Fennell in Sister’s Easter Catechism. Celebrate the Easter season as Sister answers time worn questions like “Why isn’t Easter the same day every year?” and “Will my bunny go to heaven?” Part pageant and wHOLY hysterical, this latest Late Nite Catechism show unearths the origins of Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, Easter bonnets, Easter baskets, and of course those yummy Easter Peeps. Sister answers questions about pet heaven and those adorable baby chicks! Classroom participation is a must, so don’t forget to wear your Easter bonnet and join Sister for this seasonal treat! Cost: $19 to $49.

Friday, March 20, 5 to 9 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Enjoy uplifting, lively tunes.

Friday, March 20, 7 p.m.
2001 Shreve St. Punta Gorda
Love folk music? The local trio of John Welsh, Marsha Carpenter and Dave Heveron will fill your heart with their familiar repertoire and down-home charm! Cost: $15.

Friday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.
The Charlotte Performing Arts Center (CPAC) | 701 Carmalita Street, Punta Gorda
Cost: $15

Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Laishley Park, Punta Gorda
Visual Arts Center will host artists will display and sell their fine art, sculptures, jewelry, fiber ware and much more. Food, beer and wine are available. Kid friendly. Art glass, fiber arts, jewelry, leather goods, metalwork, oil paintings, photography, pottery, sculpture, abstracts and watercolor will be represented by 60 artists. Free admission. Food, wine and beer for sale. Kid friendly. Artists Lori Potts and Kathy Wood are this year’s featured artists. Lori uses her art to express her passion for nature, beauty, and color. Her mediums range from oil paint, acrylic paint, alcohol ink, resin epoxy, and gold leaf. Kathy Wood is a mixed media artist producing functional art. Cost: $3.

Visit Charlotte Arts member Gloria Urban who’ll display her art at both festivals.

Saturday, March 21, Noon to 4 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Enjoy tropical variety music with the relaxing sounds of this duo.

Saturday, March 21, 5 to 9 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Enjoy songs of James Taylor, trop rock, country by this entertaining and engaging performer.

Sunday, March 22, Noon to 4 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Enjoy diverse and unique blend of Standards, Pop, Country, Folk, Swing, R&B, Blues and Rock.

Monday, March 23, Noon to 3 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Music that crosses the entire spectrum.

Monday, March 23, 5 to 8 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Enjoy variety music with a Caribbean flare.

Tuesday, March 24, Noon to 3 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Enjoy Reggae, Calypso, Buffett and Marley performed on the Steel Pan.

Tuesday, March 24, 5 to 8 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Acoustic singer and musician well-known songs of many genres from the 60s to Pop, Rock and Country of today.

Wednesday, March 25, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Enjoy uplifting, lively tunes.

Wednesday, March 25, 5 to 7 p.m.
9400 Indian Springs Cemetery Road, Punta Gorda
Featuring Chris Brunette's art and music of Counter Parts Band. Refreshments and open bar. Hosted by Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home.

Thursday, March 26, Noon to 3 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Acoustic singer and musician well-known songs of many genres from the 60s to Pop, Rock and Country of today.

Thursday, March 26, 4 to 7 p.m. 
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Enjoy Reggae, Calypso, Buffett and Marley performed on the Steel Pan.

Friday, March 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
You will be mesmerized by the sweet sounds of the Tsimbaly instrument from Belarus, so superbly executed by this astonishing musician.


Select Future Events

Englewood Fine Art Festival
Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dearborn Street Plaza
This is the 39th year of the Rotary Club of Englewood’s juried art show and presents art available for sale in all mediums, including sculpture (metal, wood and glass), paintings (watercolor, acrylic, oil and pastel), jewelry (gold, silver and gemstones), photography, pottery and ceramics, and mixed media. The festival is held along pedestrian-only West Dearborn Street where there are unique shops and restaurants. Cost: $2 donation. 

Sunday, March 29, 3 p.m.
Maestro Roy W. Engler will speak about the music you will hear at 2:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Punta Gorda, 25250 Airport Road
Even casual music listeners probably know that this year is important as the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven. Forget the scowling, wild haired, deaf old man. Hear an Italian comic song about a lovesick hunter by a very young composer, as sung by Bion Cantorum. Also on our program will be Eric Whitacre’s Five Hebrew Love Songs , accompanied by violinist Karen Gettel-Bell, and works by Gabriel Faure, Randall Thompson, Daniel Elder, Johann Michael Haydn and John Rutter, as well as Patti Drennan’s arrangement of the Irish folk song, Wild Mountain Thyme . Robert Burns’ Auld Lang Syne gets the Beethoven choral treatment too. Cost: $15 adults, $10 15 and under. Purchase at brownpapertickets.com or call 941-206-2071.

Sunday, March 29, 2 to 4 p.m.
Visit the website on March 26 to see who'll be displaying their art. 
Gallery Hours: Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Sunday Noon to 6 p.m.

Sunday, April 1, 1 to 4 p.m. 
Port Charlotte Golf Club | Gleneagles Terrace off Conway Blvd., Port Charlotte
These are held the first Sunday of each month October through April. Cost: Free for members, $5 non-members.
3rd annual Arts in April at Fishermen’s Village 
Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Artists with the Visual Arts Center will line the promenade displaying their creations with live demonstrations in pottery and more.

Thursday, April 2, 5 to 7 p.m.
Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home | 635 E. Marion Ave, Punta Gorda
Wine and cheese reception featuring the art of Lee Jones. Hosted by Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home.
Events Held Each Week

Seven informal, philosophical discussion groups are held each week.
  • Café Philo: Every Friday, 10 to Noon, Mid-County Regional Library (2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd., Port Charlotte)
  • Café Philo, Every Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Punta Gorda Public Library (401 Shreve St.)
  • Café Socrates, Every Friday, 2 to 4 p.m., Mid-County Regional Library (2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd, Port Charlotte)
  • Café Philo, Every Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to Noon, South Port Square, Gables East Building (23023 Westchester Blvd, 4th Floor, Charlotte Harbor)
  • Café Theo. Every Saturday, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Mid-County Regional Library (2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd, Port Charlotte)
  • Café Philo. Every Tuesday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Florida Community Bank (125 Nesbit Street, Punta Gorda)
  • Café Philo, Every Wednesday, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Englewood/Tringali Library (3450 N. Access Road, Englewood)

Every Saturday, 10 a.m. to Noon, 210 Maud Street, Punta Gorda
Join an eclectic group of painters, jewelry makers, and other crafty artisans who come together to create and share constructive advice. Cost: $2 donation.

Every Monday, 8:30 a.m. to Noon
Anyone with a desire to paint outside may join us any Monday October to May. There are no fees and no instruction. For those who wish, at 11 a.m. paintings are shared and discussed. This group meets at a different location each week.

These programs will resume in the Fall of 2020.

Every Tuesday, 2 to 3 p.m.
Listen to Dave Bise and Catherine Lucas talk about art from around the world.

Every Tuesday, 6 to 8 p.m., 210 Maud Street, Punta Gorda
Join other artists in Goff Gallery and work on your portrait skills in any medium with live portrait models. Cost $5.

Every Thursday, 9 a.m. to Noon, 210 Maud Street, Punta Gorda
Join other artists in Goff Gallery and work on your portrait skills in any medium with live portrait models. Cost: $5.
Classes and Workshops
Visit the online calendar for more classes.


Visit the VAC website for additional classes.

Wine and Painting Parties
March 25: Etched Wine Glasses with Belinda Duclos

Pine Needle Baskets Workshop
with Kathryn Erickson
Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you can sew, you can learn how to form pine needles into a piece of art. Learn to coil pine needles and finish basket on your own. Cost: $90 members, $100 others.

Alcohol Ink Workshop with Jill Lindsay

Watercolor Workshop with Ted Head
Wednesday to Saturday, April 1 to 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Watercolor techniques taught by award winning watercolor artist with a focus on landscapes, people-scapes and themed artwork. 
Cost: $450 members, $500.

Palette Knife Workshop with Jan Ellen Atkielski 
Tuesday and Wednesday, April 7 and 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Learn the most effective methods for painting strong, vibrant oils using painting knives and a limited palette, with individual critique and instruction. Cost: $270 members, $300.

Mixed Media Workshop with Jill Krasner 
Tuesday to Friday, April 7 to 10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Work with a variety of materials/mediums to advance your skills in contemporary expressionism and whimsical interpretations. Cost: $450 members, $500.

Plein Air: Color Workshop with Joe Palmerio
Friday, April 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location is not yet determined.
 Explore complementary, split complementary, and analogous palettes with demonstrations before each change of palette. Working with limited palettes will help artists to understand color mixing combinations and how to create harmonious paintings. Cost: $125. Contact: peaceriverpainters@gmail.com.
2280 Aaron Street, Port Charlotte, 941-625-4175 x223.
Visit the online calendar for additional classes.

Staghorn Ferns with Kate Preston
Wednesday, March 11, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Join us for a hands-on demonstration of how to divide and propagate Staghorn ferns. During this class, you will learn what Staghorns are, how to grow them and many creative ways that they can be displayed. Starter Staghorn ferns will be available for purchase for $17. These make great gifts for the holidays for friends and loved ones. Kate will demonstrate how to add an orchid, rhipsalis or Hoya to your work of Art. Kate is a Botanist and former curator of Ferns, cycads and economic Plant collections at the U.S. Botanic Garden in D.C. Kate also started the staghorn collection at the Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens in Punta Gorda. Cost for class #WS-0320: $15 Cultural Center members, $18 non-members.

Intro to Alcohol Ink Art with Rosana Halprine
Wednesday, March 25, 9 a.m. to Noon
Learn about the materials and supplies used in alcohol ink art. The instructor will demonstrate various techniques and the students will practice on scrap, photograph or yupo paper. The students will produce three alcohol ink masterpieces: one on yupo paper, one on photograph paper and the last piece on tile. Cost for class #WS-0365: $30 Cultural Center members, $33 non-members; $22 cash to Instructor for supplies.

Needle Felted Florida Tropical Scene with Nancy Walden
Friday, April 3, 1 to 4 p.m. 
Have fun making a Florida tropic scene using the needle felting technique which will be mounted in class on a prepared and painted board. This is a fun workshop to take with a friend. Cost for class #WS-0410: $30 Cultural Center members, $33, $35 for materials.

Open Studio All Levels with Donna Birchfield
Every Tuesday, April 7 to April 28, 9 a.m. to Noon
All Media, oil, acrylics, soft & oil pastels, watercolor, pen and ink, colored pencils, drawing. All levels of instruction provided. Beginners or students interested in getting back to painting would enjoy this class. Cost for class #335-1: $56 Cultural Center members, $64 non-members

Lapidary Cutting Stones with Tony Poliseno
Every Tuesday, April 7 to April 28, 5 to 8 p.m.
This class teaches the cutting of natural stones, including preparation of faceting stones into angles and shapes and into sparkling, polished gems for jewelry. Cost for class #702-1: $56 Cultural Center members, $64, $5 maintenance fee.

Mixed Media All Levels with David Petrelle
Every Tuesday, April 7 to April 28, 1 to 4 p.m.
This class is designed to help people create their own artwork with acrylic, oil, pen and ink, pencils or watercolor media. Each student will bring in the desired reference photos and endeavor to create a unique piece of artwork using their chosen medium. Since this is not a step-by-step instruction class, the student should be familiar with their chosen medium. The student is responsible for their own materials and supplies. If the student has questions, they may contact the instructor prior to the class. In the first class, we will discuss the additional supplies you may wish to buy so bring what you have. If new to mixed media, the instructor will be experimenting with relief painting with fast mache’ and Liquitex Super Heavy Gel. Students are free to bring any project they are working on or work in any type of subject they wish. Cost for class #302: $56 Cultural Center members, $64 non-members

Drawing All Beginner Levels with Pam Cox
Every Wednesday, April 8 to May 27, 10 a.m. to Noon
This course will be an introduction to some basic drawing techniques using charcoal and pencils. Half the battle to drawing is seeing. In this class we will do many exercises to push our eyes to see, to see shape, how light falls across the surface to create values and how to capture that on paper. The class focuses mostly on drawing with charcoal and pencil, with one excursion into using pen and ink. Lessons that will be included: intro to your drawing tools, how to use your tools to make values, how to capture curves and make a symmetrical form, lesson in scaling up, and intro to perspective. Cost for class #330: $68 Cultural Center Members, $76 non-members

Acrylic All Levels with David Petrelle
Structure: How to pick what to paint, Composition, Subject matter, including landscapes, Still life, People, Seascapes, Decorative, Non-objective art, Realism, and other forms of expressional art. Technical: How to achieve your objectives by learning the technical ability in each media. Using Art as Expression: Learn how to apply your personal expression into your work. In the first class, we will discuss the additional supplies you may wish to buy so bring what you have of the list. Cost for class #314-1: $77 Cultural Center members, $85.

Stained Glass All Levels with Jill Beach
Every Wednesday, April 8 to May 13, 1 to 4 p.m.
This course covers beginning techniques through advanced 3-D projects – small to large, copper foil technique and basic lead design. Cost for class #707: $77 Cultural Center members, $85, additional cost for supplies.

Pottery-Handbuilding with Pam Cox
Every Wednesday, April 8 to May 27, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
This 8-week course will serve as an introduction to clay hand building techniques. The course will cover pinch pots, solid build up, coiling, and slab construction. Cost for class #715: $102 Cultural Center members, $110, $10 supplies.

Watercolor All levels with Skip Mattie
Every Thursday, April 9 to April 30, 9 a.m. to Noon
Learn the basics of watercolor painting, the equipment needed such as paper, paints, brushes, etc., how to prepare and get the image on paper, and how to do washes and detail work. We will complete some paintings and the student can paint a favorite subject with assistance. Cost for class #337: $56 Cultural Center Members, $64 non-members.
Florida Southwestern State College, 26300 Airport Road, Punta Gorda

Three Novels About Art
Wednesday, March 18, 10 a.m. to Noon
Noted educator Joan Mountford will be presenting novels about art in four sessions. (March 18 is the last session.) Ms. Mountford brings a rich knowledge base to the subject developed over a career of teaching English. When we view a painting, most of us admire the skill of the painter or connect its subject to our own life experiences. But paintings have their own stories that are well worth the telling. In the first class, Ms. Mountford will discuss Tracy Chevalier's Girl With a Pearl Earring, the award winning novel about the girl who inspired Vermeer's famous painting. Subsequent classes will cover Lydia Cassat Reading the Morning Paper by Harriet Scott Chessman and My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok. Participants should read the novels before the classes. Cost: $15 LLI members, $25 others.

Marbled Paper: Taming a Riot of Color with Steve Pittelkow
Tuesday, March 17, 10 a.m.
Mr. Pittelkow, a master in his field, has demonstrated marbling at the Museum of Art in NYC among many other venues here and abroad. Marbling was invented by the Turks in the 1500's it was called ebru, or cloud art. Mr. Pittelkow will discuss the history and uses of marbled paper, and will demonstrate the process of producing these beautiful works of art. Cost.


Three-hour art classes for four or more students. Students provide their own materials, although I do help out beginners until they learn what materials they need.
Cost: $15.


Charlotte Arts Member Rita Schwab
Art classes are offered by abstract artist Rita Schwab. Contact Rita at earthelements01@gmail.com or message 845-667-0166.


5950 Sam Shapos Way, North Port
Classes offered range from Photoshop to pottery to painting and more.




Support Charlotte Arts

  • Become a member of Charlotte Arts. Your membership helps ensure the success and vibrancy of the entire cultural community. Memberships for artists, individuals and families are $50, nonprofit, government and university-based organizations are $75 and businesses are $100. If you already are a member, thank you. Please encourage others to support Charlotte Arts by becoming a member.
  • Are you shopping on Amazon? Amazon will donate 0.5% to Charlotte Arts of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases.
  • Purchase the "State of the Arts" license plate tags. A portion comes back to Charlotte County to support quality arts and humanities programs, including Arts in Education classroom grants.