ON THE FLIP SIDE: BLACK
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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017
YOUROBSERVER.COM
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Holiday spirit
Are you ready for the holidays? These performances and activities might help. PAGE 4
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DIFFERENT
STROKES Easter Seals Southwest Florida found the perfect place to break free of physical limitations: a blank canvas.
In Focus
Two photographers work to establish a school to bring more exposure to the art form. PAGE 6
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HEIDI KURPIELA CONTRIBUTOR
T
here’s pop music thumping from the cafeteria at Easter Seals Southwest Florida. Katy Perry and Lady Gaga anthems are floating through a crack in the door, along with the smell of breakfast. Overzealous preschoolers from the organization’s Lily School for Child Development are scattering back to class having just completed a tree craft, the remnants of which are strewn across three tables. Art instructor Viktoria Bridgeford bends to gather construction paper leaves and uncapped glue sticks, a black smock tied around her waist. SEE PAGE 2
Photos by Heidi Kurpiela
Top: Jeff is deaf with Down syndrome and dabbles in superhero portraiture. Above: The Easter Seals generated more than $5,000 in art sales at its October State of the Arts Gallery show in downtown Sarasota.
‘Once’
FST’s production of this Tony award-winning musical will warm your heart. YOUROBSERVER.COM