Heart and Soul: Paul Firmin Public Art Project Outside the north end of the Arts Complex October 2024 – October 2025 FGCU Art Program Alumni Paul Firmin (‘23, Art) was selected for the second annual Public Art Project. In the creation of this two-part mural, the artist sought to craft a visual testament to the essence of the Arts Complex at FGCU, perceived as its very heart and soul. Utilizing acrylic paint, the mural brings to life figures imbued with the colors of the heart and third-eye chakras, symbols that resonate deeply with the artist. The heart, linked with breath and nature, and the soul, represented through the elemental imagery of water and the vastness of the ocean, merge to form a holistic vision. This artwork was envisioned to act as a conduit of healing energy for all who pass through the Arts Complex, enriching their journey with its restorative essence.  This project is supported by a grant from The Community Foundation. Image credit: Paul Firmin, Heart & Soul, 2024, Acrylic on four panels

The FGCU Music Therapy Program is celebrating its 10 year anniversary! On Saturday November 1, music therapy faculty, students, and alums will gather to remember, reflect, and celebrate this milestone through a series of workshops, panel discussions, and a reception. This event will be free and open to the public.

Join the FGCU Men’s soccer team for their match against Jacksonville University at Pickering Field at the FGCU Soccer Complex. Parking will be available in the Alico Arena parking lot, and you can purchase your ticket HERE!  For information on FGCU men’s soccer, follow the team on X and Instagram (@FGCU_MSoccer) and stay tuned here https://fgcuathletics.com/sports/mens-soccer

Works from the permanent collection will be displayed on the third floor of the Wilson G. Bradshaw Library, behind University Archives & Special Collections. This selection features a variety of works with a focus on Claire Van Vliet, born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1933. Claire Van Vliet is a MacArthur Fellow, master printmaker, graphic artist, bookmaker, papermaker, and the founder of Janus Press (1955). Known for experimenting with innovative formats and unique binding structures, Van Vliet is widely recognized for her innovations in hand papermaking and her imaginative artist’s books. This exhibition space rotates each semester to feature different aspects of FGCU Art Galleries’ Permanent Collection, which houses over 2,100 works of art in a variety of mediums and styles. Sponsored by Gene and Lee Seidler and the Wasmer Endowment. This exhibition is free and open to the public during regular library hours. Image credit: Claire Van Vliet, Castle Rock NZ - Winter, 1996, Vitreograph print, ed. 2/20, 24 x 30 in., Gift of Carol L. Shay, Collection of FGCU Art Galleries, 2022.0004.0168

Location: Arts Complex Lobby Windows Crumbs is a window installation that offers a glimpse into Girl Feast (Wasmer Art Gallery, October 17 – November 20, 2025), serving as both a preview of the exhibition and as part of the Window Strike Prevention Project. Inspired by the idea of leaving small crumbs of something larger, Chloe Lewis ('18, Art) and Isabella Baquerizo (’19, Art) honor native bird species while taking a vital step in protecting them from window collisions. Through vinyl prints applied to the glass, this installation not only prevents birds from flying into the windows but also transforms the windows into a visual extension of the exhibition’s themes—abundance, connection, and care. A testament to the power of collaboration, Crumbs reflects the beauty of shared efforts in creating a safer, more mindful environment for both the campus community and the birds that inhabit it. Crumbs is part of an ongoing exploration of creative solutions for bird-safe windows on FGCU’s campus. Sponsored by the FGCU Alumni Association, Gene and Lee Seidler, the Wasmer Endowment, WGCU Public Media, and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. This public art is free and open to public viewing. Image credit: Izzy Baquerizo and Chloe Lewis, Crumbs, 2025, Digital design and print installation for exterior of Arts Complex, 24 panels varying dimensions ranging from 33 x 33 in. to 21 x 33 in., Courtesy of the artists.

Chloe Lewis ('18, Art) and Isabella Baquerizo (’19, Art) present Girl Feast as a celebration of friendship, joy, and the experience of girlhood. Through an abundance mindset, sharing, and play this exhibition creates a space where connection and belonging are central to everyday life. The works explore inner worlds and shared experiences, reflecting on how communal moments—especially around food and play—bring people together. The artists encourage us to romanticize the ordinary, and to see the world with an open heart.  Through immersive installations and vibrant artworks, Girl Feast offers a lens into a worldview where joy and togetherness create a sense of wholeness. Girl Feast invites visitors to take a seat at the table, reflect on connection, and engage with the idea that community is built through the smallest, most meaningful exchanges. This exhibition is part of the FGCU Art Galleries’ Alumni Series. Sponsored by the FGCU Alumni Association, Gene and Lee Seidler, the Wasmer Endowment, WGCU Public Media, and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Wasmer Art Gallery is open Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The gallery is closed during university holidays and breaks and during the summer. Image credit: Izzy Baquerizo and Chloe Lewis, Girl Feast, 2025, Digital illustration, variable sizes, Courtesy of the artists.