A modest audience of artists and community members came together on a recent Friday to celebrate the opening of the first Art in Public Buildings (AiPB) exhibit in three Village of Islamorada-owned locations at Founders Park.
Also on hand were Mayor Don Horton, council members Anna Richards and Steve Friedman, and Village Manager Ron Sanders.
Guests gathered for the reception in the community room to see works by Monica Bankowski and Lisa Lee, while refreshments were enjoyed, comments were provided and artists were introduced.
Bankowski’s “Amelia Snorkeling” is an acrylic on canvas and Lee’s giclee print “Sailfish” is in the Gyotaku form, an ancient Japanese technique used to make prints of fish.
The Islamorada AiPB program is a new initiative of the village, organized by cultural arts coordinator Emily Rother. This showcase features the work of 14 Islamorada-based artists and is on display through March 5, 2026.
In the lobby of the Ron Levy Aquatic Center, the five works featured include “No Fishing” oil on canvas by Paula Friedman, “HAMMERtime” painted wood by Araña Glass, “Nurse Shark in Shallows” giclee print by Chadley Mominee, “The Two of Us” acrylic on canvas by Pasta Pantaleo, and “Dreamland” photograph by EmmaNorthMich.
In the village hall, five works of art can be found in the lobbies of the three floors. These include “Bathing Beauties Walk the Shore” acrylic on canvas by Jill Zima Borski, “Lady” stoneware clay by Beth Kaminstein, “Fancy Pelican” acrylic on canvas, “Crusin’” collage of materials, “Tarpon Bust” acrylic on canvas by Tim Borski, and “Golden Everglades” photograph by Kelly Walkotten. The Islamorada family of the late artist Ramon Luis Núñez provide the final piece, an oil on canvas of Alligator Reef Lighthouse.
Many of the works are for sale. For more information, connect with Rother at emily.rother@islamorada.fl.us.
