Average Life cartoonist Charles Kerby has 3 pieces of art in the new exhibit Unlimited: the Art of People with Special Abilities at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center in Ft. Myers. His pieces include one painting, one colored pencil drawing, and a part of a multimedia piece made by students of DeLaSalle Academy for their prom. The free exhibit is open weekdays from July 4 – 25. The art center is located at 2301 First Street in downtown Ft. Myers.
The exhibit came about when the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center suggested Doug MacGregor provide an exhibit during July. MacGregor is an award winning cartoonist and the Coordinator of the Arts in Healthcare program at Lee Memorial Health System. MacGregor worked with schools and organizations to find the artists that provided 115 pieces for the exhibit. The art on display includes paintings, drawings, sculpture, and quilts, many of which are available for sale.
Kerby submited artwork at MacGregor’s request. Kerby met MacGregor while taking a cartooning class in 2011. He also participated in the Arts in Healthcare Program by painting a ceiling tile for use at Healthpark Hospital. Many of the other artists have also participated in the hospital program.
Arts in Health Care is a national program that believes everyone has artistic ability, and creating art can help patients heal. Lee Memorial has many components to the program, including Art On the Walls, The Studio for patients to create art, live music in the lobby, a Disabled Gallery, Arts in Residence, and Storytime for children. The program started in 1997 and is funded by donors and grants.