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Every once in a while, when you are in a certain position, you can take advantage of that position by being a bit creative! This happens to be one of those times.

As the Executive Director for the Art League, Marco Island’s Center for the Arts, I must tell you of a great opportunity to experience a celebration of art by our member artists.

Living up north for the majority of my life thus far, I associate November with the brisk cool weather and approaching holiday season. I remember the days getting shorter and shorter and the lines that got longer and longer to shop for special gifts. There may have been a few indoor art shows that would be hosted, but, for the most part, we shopped gallery to gallery, and boutique to boutique searching for those creative gifts that would make a great memory.

Here in Collier County, November is designated Celebrate the Arts Month. Here in the warmth of the sun and blue sky along with our green foliage, art festivals are a perfect fit. What better way to celebrate the arts than to celebrate the artists who make up the Art League. So on Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., that is exactly what they will do as the Art League hosts the Fall Art & Crafts Festival.

Of course there is some creativity at work here as the parking lot is transformed into an extension of the art center. This intimate show is a special opportunity to purchase art by local artist members of the Art League.

The Fall Art & Craft Festival provides a cultural event for the entire community encompassing many of the visual art forms. Twenty-four members will be showcased and sell their work in fine arts and crafts. Works featured will be in acrylic, oil, watercolor, and mixed-media painting, including a muralist; as well as jewelry, glass, pottery, sculpture and photography. All work featured is the original design of the talented artist or artisan; resulting in creative, innovative, decorative and functional art pieces.

Taking part in this great celebration of sun, fun, and amazing artworks will also allow an opportunity for you to stop and have some lunch, or how about some fresh popped popcorn! The facility will be open where you can visit the Gift Shop and Lauritzen/Rush Galleries. It’s the last day to catch the “It’s All About the Media” Fine Art Exhibit; a show you won’t want to miss.

In addition to the exhibiting artists, some instructors from the Center for the Arts will be out under the tents as well, offering demonstrations on the great many classes that are being offered. You’ll even have the opportunity to view the new music program being introduced this year, “Harp Playing Made Easy.”

Instead of reading about how the arts impact your life you can see it, experience it, smell it and touch it. You can even buy it as all the work is for sale. What a great creative way to help the economy! I know I won’t miss it I hope to see you there too!

Christine Neal is the executive director of Marco Island’s Center of the Arts. She holds an Associate of Arts Degree in the Liberal Arts with emphasis in the Fine Arts and various certifications and designations in business and the arts. An award winning artist, with 20-plus years in management and sales. Marco Island’s Center for the Arts is located at 1010 Winterberry Drive 239-394-4221 mail@marcoislandart.com.