Celebrating the visual arts in Bonita Springs

For the first meeting of the New Year on January 14, 2017, members of Delta Pi Delta Alumnae Chapter met at the Center for Visual Arts of Bonita Springs. In addition to extensive offerings of art classes for adults and children, the Center has ongoing exhibitions throughout the year. The current exhibit in the Center is, “A Peace of My Mind.” Photographer John Nolter traveled across the United States and asked people the simple question, “What does peace mean to you?” The exhibit, which can be seen in the background, all around the room, consists of portraits and personal stories of people from all walks of life, who reveal their own insights into how we can work toward a common good and create a world that is more just for all.

Our speaker for the day was Kim Phillips, Advancement Officer of the Alpha  Chi Omega Foundation. The Foundation acknowledges and appreciates our chapter’s contributions and uses chapter and individual donations to support the educational and philanthropic purposes of Alpha Chi Omega, including scholarships and domestic violence initiatives. Marcia Fink, VP Programs, reminded members that our next meeting on February 11 would be our annual fashion show/fundraiser at Longshore Lake Country Club in North Naples. Guests are more than welcome.

After our meeting and a box lunch,  Donna Delseni, Adult Education Director of the Center, took us on a tour of the facilities. We visited the artist’s studio, where we saw the work of art teacher, Richard Kirk; the glass and mosaic studio with machines, tools and kilns; the pottery studio and more kilns; and lastly, the stone sculpting studio. We also observed some whimsical pieces of art in the courtyard of the Center. 

Entrance to the Center for Visual Arts of Bonita Springs

Nancy is about to enter the Exhibit Hall, where our meeting will be held

New member Jennee from Alpha Chapter, DePauw University, and Phyllis

Pat, Ann, Julie and Julie’s daughter & guest, Whitney

Fran and Darlene

Nancy and Becky

Teddy, Phyllis and Donna

Valary

Margi and Mary

Mary Lou, Susan, Debbie, Kim and Jennee

Sally and Linda

Fran and Rosemary

Shirley

Phyllis, Jean and Phyllis

Carolyn

Sue and Mary

Brenda, Shirley and Sue

Margi conducting our meeting

Kim making her presentation

The exhibit, A Peace of My Mind

Richard Kirk and his oil painting

Ceramics display

Children’s mosaic tiles in the glass and mosaics studio

Shelves with students’ work in the pottery studio

Sculptures in the pottery studio

Pottery kilns (the room was hot, too)

Student pottery on shelves

Clay busts lining a high shelf

A clay chimp

A clay bust of a woman

Stone sculpture studio

Courtyard of the Center

Pen on a chain

Pillar of bricks

Whirl-a-gig palm tree