Experience artistic spirit of Pine Island Jan. 11-12 at Calusa Heritage Trail

January 7, 2008

PINE ISLAND, Fla. — Learn about the culture and history of the Calusa Indians at the Calusa Heritage Trail and experience the artistic spirit of Pine Island during the “Art, Authors and Archaeology, Florida’s Creative Coast Weekend” Jan. 11-12. The Florida Museum’s Randell Center site will host a portion of the weekend events.

On Jan. 11 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m, visitors can enjoy a variety of arts at more than 10 galleries and studios located in Matlacha and Greater Pine Island. Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Calusa Indian Heritage Trial visitors of all ages can enjoy guided walking, boat and ghost tours, screening of archaeological artifacts and learn to make cast nets, fans, braided rope and clay pots the way the Calusa did thousands of years ago. Guests also have the opportunity to learn about the unique technique of paper casting while children can paint their own Calusa masks, learn to toss the atlatl, make small pinch pots and participate in educational archaeological activities, for example carbon-14 dating with chocolate chip cookies and M&Ms.

Beginning at 5 p.m. on Jan. 12, visitors can enjoy a bonfire and flute music by eight-time Emmy Award-winning composer and flutist Kat Epple, accompanied by the drums of Nathan Dyke. The Pondwater Experiment band, which plays a fusion of reggae, blues, jazz, bluegrass, folk and world music, will continue the program. Visitors are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets and enjoy a peaceful evening under the stars on Pine Island. Food and beverages will be sold all day.

More than 20 artists who work with watercolor, acrylic, pottery and other media will demonstrate their techniques along vistas on the old trail and a jury from the Pine Island galleries will select the best art pieces of the represented types of media.

“Art, Authors and Archaeology” features lectures and book signings by a number of distinguished authors, including D.L. Havlin, the Promoting Outstanding Writers 2008 Author of the Year, who will talk about the history of Old Florida; Douglas MacGregor, a winner of several state and national cartooning awards, will share his knowledge about drawing cartoons in southwest Florida, and other well-known authors like Wendy Howell-Mills, Chuck Blanchard, Sally Walling and Roothee Gabay.

For a complete list of activities, visit www.floridascreativecoast.com or contact Lisa Benton, (239) 283-4842, or info@pineislandchamber.org.