Sanibel Tower Gallery Displays Work Of 23 Local Artists

Tower Gallery is perhaps the oldest of the islands' art galleries and, most certainly, is housed in the oldest building, a 1926 former beach cottage. The gallery dates back 30 years, starting off in Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers in 1981 and landing on Sanibel 25 years ago.
It is a cooperative representing 23 local artists, among them painters, sculptors, potters, fabric artists, glass artists and even one – Charlie Brown – who practices the Japanese art of gyotaku, using local fish species to make imprints on paper. The inside of this charming gallery is just as colorful and exuberant as the multicolored exterior. It's a veritable rabbit warren of interconnecting small rooms whose white walls show off all kinds of art to great advantage. There's even a fireplace and an upstairs. There are too many artists to mention them all (go to www.towergallery-sanibel. com).
You will find plenty of great work here of almost every genre. Each artist takes a turn running the store so you may be fortunate to find the creator of your purchase on hand to make it more personal.
However, Tower Gallery is a treasure trove for gift ideas, many of them affordable and unique, so drop in regularly – there's always something new. Here are some impressions from my recent visit: I almost screamed with delight at Steve Bufter's Baseboard Mice ($11) – little rodent portraits on wood to place strategically against your wall; and Katie Gardenia's Pickle Finger Forks, made from old forks artfully forged and bead-embellished, and her Cake Testers, for checking the done-ness of your gateaux with style (includes one of her cake recipes), $20 each. Connie and Ron Sebring, she a glass artist, he a painter and sculptor, collaborate on their Blarney Stones. He prepares smooth river pebbles with indentations for her fused glass rods to fit into – great gifts and conversation pieces ($48). Joyce Krivenko's silver bracelets and amulets are a wonder of swirls and twirls, featuring ceramic, glass and stones. For a hand-made, one-of-a-kind jewelry item, they are well priced at $105 to $115. Eyecatching too are JoAnne Bedient's raku creations including cats, clocks, vases, bottles and funky ceramic shoes that look as though they came straight from Lady Gaga's closet.
Tower Gallery is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., at 751 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, phone 472-4557.