Tropical Treasures: An island art show coming next week

One of Swayze's works

Tropical Treasures is open to the public, everyone is invited. The show runs for three days: Thursday, March 28, 12 to 10 p.m. with an opening party and refreshments from 5 to10 p.m.; Friday, March 29, 12 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.  A closing party will be held on Saturday, March 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. with refreshments and prizes for the best tropical outfits.  A portion of all sales will go toward island scholarships.

Swayze is well known for her original acrylic paintings and her colorful hand painted etchings. She is represented by over 30 galleries and her work is in public and private collections worldwide.  

Exhibiting with Swayze will be award-winning glass artist Rich Fizer, whose handblown glass waves, shells and fish are collected worldwide.

As a working artist for over 40 years, Swayze has been a part of the island art scene for her entire career and her collectors span three generations of island residents. Swayze was an important member of the Boca Grande Art Alliance in its infancy and her work was represented by Paradise Gallery for years on Park Avenue.  

Swayze often contributes to island fundraising projects, the latest being donations to the Save the Tarpon organization and another to The Island School auction. She currently donates time once a month to share art with the Boca Grande Health Clinic’s dementia group, whom she fondly calls the Forget-Me-Nots.

Swayze has always lived by the beach; sailing, surfing, fishing, diving, snorkeling and watching fish. She was raised to understand that we are all the caretakers of our fragile environment, a concept that she passed on to her three sons.  

For more information call Swayze at (941) 266-6434.