Sanibel-Captiva Art League Overview
Our Story
The Sanibel-Captiva Art League (SCAL) was founded in 1964 by a group of 25 artists who elected a board and officers with the mission of advancing the visual arts in the community. Through the years the League’s focus has been to foster cooperation and exchange of ideas among artists, provide exhibits for the public, and coordinate with many of the organizations that form the cornerstone of our community.
SCAL’s first juried show was held in 1975. Today the League consistently offers large exhibits and juried shows in public venues such as BIG ARTS, the Sanibel Public Library, the Captiva Civic Association, the Sanibel Community House, the Bailey Homestead, and the Sanibel Historical Museum & Village, as well as some private venues such as local banks, churches and clubs. We sponsor a popular biennial show, Art in Bloom, featuring flower arrangements coordinated with paintings, with the Shell Islands Garden Club, and were the initiators of Art Poems with local writers.
Residents and visitors are welcome at all events, including League member meetings, art demonstrations and plein air painting. Programs are free or at minimal cost.
SCAL artists also traditionally support F.I.S.H., SCCF, and the Sanibel Community House with proceeds of art programs specifically devoted to these organizations. Strong ties to our community have enabled the League to continue to enhance the visual enjoyment and artistic education of residents and visitors alike.
The Sanibel-Captiva Art League is a 501(c)(3) organization and a member of the Art Council of Southwest Florida.
“Swiss Garden and Monastery”
by SCAL Artist Vreni Scheu
Oil
Activities
Our monthly meetings feature demonstrations of artistic techniques, styles, and methods by artists both from our League, as well as from outside studios and organizations. Unless otherwise noted, monthly meetings take place on the third Thursday of each month from October through May at 11 a.m. at the Sanibel Community House. Presentations at the meetings offer a variety of programs of interest to member artists and the public, and update members on upcoming activities.
Membership
Meetings and events provide members and guests with valuable opportunities for networking and learning. Active members with varied backgrounds and interests continually reinforce the organization’s collective creativity, continuity, and stability. Strong ties to the community enable the League to enhance the visual enjoyment and artistic education of both residents and visitors.
Exhibitions
Our current line up for 2025...For details, click on the Activities & Events tab (above)
We will be exhibiting this season at BIG ARTS, The Sanibel Public Library, Bailey Homestead Preserve, and the Captiva Civic Association.
Mission
The purposes and objectives of the Sanibel-Captiva Art League are:
- To promote public interest in and appreciation of the fine visual arts.
- To encourage cooperation and an exchange of ideas among artists, instructors, art students, and others engaged in artistic endeavors in the visual arts.
- To provide a registry for artists.
- To hold seminars, classes, workshops, competitions, and public and private exhibitions, and to provide the opportunity for members to increase their skill, knowledge, and enjoyment of the arts.
- To broaden the knowledge and awareness of both artists and viewers in the appreciation of the traditional artistic experience, and to generally promote the study and improvement of visual arts.
- To accomplish the foregoing, to do any other act or thing incidental to or connected with the foregoing purposes and objectives, or in the advancement thereof, but not for the pecuniary profit or financial gain of any of its members, directors, or officers.
"Morrow's Honeysuckle Berries"
by SCAL Artist Donna Esher
Watercolor
"Paradise"
by SCAL Artist Maureen Ginipro
Pen & Ink
Current Leadership
2025-2027 Sanibel-Captiva Art League Leadership
Officers and Board:
Donna Esher and Maureen Ginipro, Co-Presidents
Peter Zell, Vice President
Joleen Raho, Secretary
Vreni Scheu, Treasurer
Amejo Amyot, Board Member
Patrick Conolly, Board Member
Gloria Krekel, Board Member
Sherry Fonseth-Lais, Board Member
Antonia Crook, Board Member
Frank Nero, Board Member
Brooke Simon, Past President Ex-Officio
“Pink Hibiscus” Acrylic
by SCAL Artist Jane Hudson
Committee Chairs:
Delegate to Art Council of Southwest Florida: Open position, to be determined
Exhibitions:
- SCAL Library Juried Shows – Peter Zell, Jane Hudson, & Suzette Heeres
- SCAL Council Show at BIG ARTS – Michele Buelow and Marcy Calkins
Art in Bloom: Jayne Boswell
Auditing: John Raho
Membership: Suzette Heeres
Historian: Mary Klunk
Hospitality: Amejo Amyot and Paula Hult
In-house Graphic Designer: Dave Tompkins
Nominating Committee: Amejo Amyot and Patrick Connelly
Plein Air: Peter Zell and Amejo Amyot
Publicity: Sherry Fonseth-Lais
Programs: Gloria Krekel
SCAL/Community House Art Collaboration: Joleen Raho
Social Media: Antonia Crook and Frank Nero
Website Administrator: Donna Esher
Webmaster: Guerrilla Marketing
Past Presidents
Artful Appreciation to Our Past Presidents
- 1964 Leon Levy
- 1969 Dorothy Robinson
- 1974 Mary Stolz
- 1975 Winifred Lurks
- 1979 Kay Cooper
- 1980 Ruth Searing
- 1982 Jean Gibson
- 1984 Billie Elder
- 1986 Harriet Ringel
- 1988 Carol Hagerman
- 1990 Nancy Huff
- 1992 Naomi Campbell
- 1994 Ann Bischoff
- 1996 Dick Smith
- 1998 Nancy Jones & Dick Smith
- 2000 Carolyn Johns
- 2003 Betty Weise
- 2005 Neil Glaser
- 2007 Randon Eddy
- 2009 Peter Zell
- 2011 Pat Smart
- 2013 Kathy Taylor
- 2015 Marcy Calkins
- 2017 Jim Storer
- 2019 Anita Force Marshall
- 2021 Nancy Sperte
- 2023 Brooke Simon
