Gulfport Artists Create Geckos for Charity Auction

Gulfport, FL – For residents of Gulfport and the surrounding areas, gecko season is only weeks away. And for the second straight year, the Gecko Artists’ Show will kick off the month of gecko-related events leading up to GeckoFest.

Seven larger-than-life-size geckos will be revealed to the public during the Second Annual Gecko Artists’ Show on Friday, Aug. 5 at the Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S. from 6 to 8 p.m. The geckos will then be auction off during the Artists’ Gecko Auction at the Eighth Annual Gecko Ball on Saturday, Aug 27 during the Gulfport Casino Ballroom.

The free reception will include complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

The geckos were all conceptualized and created by each artist’s individual style and method. The seven local artists who were chosen to participate in the charity event from applicants who submitted a concept during an open call earlier in the year are:

• Patsi Aguerro, who combines tropical hot and cool colors on canvas
• Michael Chapman, who works in watercolor, acrylics, ink, sculpture and mixed media
• Suzanne Harding, who works in mixed media
• Jeanne Heywood, who works in industrial objects
• Angela Lagan, who uses vintage marine hardware
• Lenne Nicklaus-Ball, who works with abstract collages and ostrich egg assemblages
• Mary Stenov, who works in glass, wood, stone, linoleum, plaster, clay and fabric

The Gecko Artists’ Show will also feature selections from the participating artists’ regular body of work in a variety of media. These selections of work will continue to be displayed through August. Following the reception, the geckos will be moved to preview locations in venues throughout Gulfport’s Waterfront Village.

The geckos can be seen at the following locations in the three weeks after the Gecko Artists’ Show:

• Boca Bay Grille, 3824 Beach Blvd. S.
• Gulfport Beach Bazaar, 3115 Beach Blvd. S.
• Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S.
• Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.
• Gulfport Welcome Center, 3101 Beach Blvd. S.
• Historic Peninsula Inn, 2937 Beach Blvd. S.
• Salty’s Gulfport Bar, 5413 Shore Blvd. S.

A portion of the proceeds from the auction will support the Gulfport Historical Society and First Florida Frontiers.

For more information, visit www.geckofest.com or www.facebook.com/geckoball, or e-mail John Haugen at jhaugen@hudsonmkt.com.

Image via City of Gulfport website

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