Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall is supporting local artists by giving them an opportunity to display their artwork in her Fort Myers office on the first floor of the Old County Courthouse, 2120 Main Street in downtown Fort Myers.
Allen Tiller will show his work in the District 4 Office until June 14. The public is welcome to stop by and view the 10 framed pieces and learn more about the artist. Call (239) 533-2226 to confirm office hours for viewing the artwork.
“The arts are an important part of the cultural and development of our community” Commissioner Hall said. “I believe that government can play an important role in public awareness, developing the use of public spaces for display and interaction of art, and for the encouragement and commitment of continued financial support both public and private of all the arts.”
Commissioner Hall is the recipient of the Angel of the Arts Award – Business Sponsor 2009. She was elected to the Board of Lee County Commissioners in 2004 and re-elected in 2006. Her district includes North Fort Myers and the central and northern portions of Cape Coral. For more information on this program, contact Patty Pirog, Executive Assistant, at (239) 533-2226.
A Statement from the artist:
“It is my desire to share with the viewer the beauty that I see in the world, and to take them to details that might otherwise be overlooked.”
From the age of 10, Allen knew he would be an artist, and in 1978 graduated from the Art Institute of Philadelphia.
He launched a career doing magazine illustration in the Philadelphia area, winning several awards for excellence. In 1981 the Art Institute asked him to return, to create and teach a new course, airbrush. For two years he then joined the faculty of his alma mater. An exhibition in 1983 showcased his love of nature and portraits, both of which continue today.
In 1984 he was attacked by a series of unexplained pains, weakness and numbness affecting all his limbs. After a year of total debilitation, ultimately the problems remained in his hands and arms. The outcome of this medical mystery was a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Although personally devastated, the creative spirit always found expression. Unable to paint or draw as before, Allen spend the remainder of the eighties photographing the Delaware Valley and Chesapeaked Bay areas. He also explored texture and pattern, evolving into a series of large acrylic abstracts.
A move in 1990 allowed an interest in flowers to grow into a passion for gardening, creating an opportunity to bring together the photographic skills and the abstract eye.
His physical abilities continuing to degenerate, in 2003 a longstanding desire to relocate to Lee County was realized. Since then the beauty of Southwest Florida has added to the sources of inspiration that keep this creative spirit alive. Currently when the MS allows, Allen enjoys adding to his photos or the occasional drawing; when it does not, he uses the computer to create something fresh from all experiences of life.