by John Fry
Special to the Gazette
On Tuesday April 24, the Arts of the Inlands held its Second Annual Membership Drive at the FireHouse Theater at 2401 North Bridge, LaBelle. Arts of the Inlands is an art association for the residents of Lee, Hendry, and Collier County who live in the Inlands (non-coastal areas).
Joel Hawkins of the FireHouse Theater began the drive by thanking Jeanie Horlander, who provided the evening’s food, Sally Gillespy, the pianist who provided the evening’s music, and Linda Reiser, the FireHouse Theater’s music director who provided the piano music prior to Gillespy’s arrival.
Then Hawkins introduced Lavon Koenig, the Arts of the Inlands president. Koenig spoke about the progress the Arts of Inlands had made since last year’s membership.
Among people attending the meeting were A.E.Pritchard, author of the St.Martin’s Mystery series, Venture Capitalist Tom Dugan, Oil Painter Diane Carmen, artist Kimberly Arnette, Suzzie Hector of Lady in Pink Photography, June Devincent, art teacher at Veteran’s Park Recreation Center , Richard Alexis Georgian, author and former President of the Gulf Coast Writers Association, Dr. Carol Kennedy, also author and former President of the Gulf coast Writers Association, and Tom Nelson, author and current President of the Gulf Coast writers association.
Elwood B. Dowd invited the public to the 2012-2013 season of the FireHouse Theater. After meeting the artists, authors, and members of the public mingled. The next Arts of the Inlands meeting is set May 15, 2012.