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New mall partners with groups to promote art

By LIANE SMITH (Contact)

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Coconut Point offers new opportunities for Bonita Springs and Estero art leagues to forge partnerships with local businesses.

The Greater Estero Cultural Arts Council (Arts Estero) recently teamed with the Coconut Point shopping complex to present "An Evening on Fashion Drive," which showcased 22 pieces of art from emerging Southwest Florida artists.

Photo by LIANE SMITH / Banner

Design Within Reach, a new store at Coconut Point, gave a percentage of its week's profit earlier this month, in partnership with the Art League of Bonita Springs, to award a college-bound area high school student interested in pursuing a career in art, architecture or design a scholarship. The Art League of Bonita Springs awarded more than $12,000 in college tuition scholarships in 2006. Pictured are MaryBess Foster, proprietor of the Coconut Point Design Within Reach, and Nanette Dorbeck and Jordan Smith, both of Design Within Reach.

Arts Estero, a newly spun off organization of the Estero Council of Community Leaders, says partnerships with local businesses helps to promote art throughout the area. Coconut Point has given Arts Estero gallery space at its main office.

"It's part of 'Art in Public Places,'" said Sandy Morse, Arts Estero board member and spokesperson.

She added: "Our mission is to promote the arts in the greater Estero area. By doing that you want to get support from community leaders and community businesses.

According to Morse, Coconut Point lends itself nicely to the growing art scene in Estero because of Simon Malls brand of outdoor centers that provide a place to stroll, hear music and see art.

"That worked very well with us. We're a brand new organization. Our vision is to be connected with all the business entities," Morse said.

"With outdoor centers like Coconut Point, the amenity package is so important, and part of that is clearly furthering the local arts scene. It gives it a great local feel and enhances the project, because we really want people to spend time at the property," said Les Morris, Coconut Point and Simon Malls spokesperson.

Currently, the Arts Estero organization is also trying to form partnerships with Florida Gulf Coast University's art department, in hopes to promote emerging young artists in their gallery. They have also spoken to the Estero Art League in hopes of working with them.

"We're not in competition. We're here to enhance these groups," Morse said.

The Art League of Bonita Springs has used Coconut Point as a new source of local support, too. As a longtime Bonita Springs staple, numerous local businesses in the area have continually supported the group.

"We've worked with a number of the local banks," said Joni Loehnis, Art League spokesperson.

More recently, newly opened Design Within Reach, an accessible store of designer pieces of furniture in Coconut Point, worked with the Art League to provide money for a scholarship given out each May to a local high school senior planning to pursue a higher education in art, design, or architecture.

"We rely heavily on our local business people," Loehnis said.

According to Morris, Coconut Point isn't the only property of the company's grasping onto the local art scene. "I can think of other projects that we've done in Texas, two in particular," Morris said.

The Domain, a soon-to-open property similar to Coconut Point, of Simon Malls, will sponsor an arts competition.

"Austin has a vibrant art scene, so we've really tapped into that," Morris said.

In Georgetown, Tex., north of Austin, another property of Simon Malls is working with local schools to create artistic tiles made by students to decorate roof topped entryways.

"It's something that makes the development of these outdoor centers really fun, because there's a great creativity that goes into it," Morris said.

The Art League works with local schools sending volunteers to share art projects and art history lessons with students. The group also relies on monetary support from businesses to provide art lessons and programs to children for other local organizations, such as the Literacy Council of Bonita Springs and Manna Christian Park.

"There are a lot of ways for the community to get involved with things that really do help," Loehnis said.