A New Public Space

Big changes are coming!

We’re reimagining the western edge of our 10-acre campus. So much more than a place to play, we see a community hub for discovery and creativity, connections and reunion, education and adventure; a place where people, art and imagination meet. That’s why we’re linking the natural environment with the creative spirit of art. This project connects neighbors with a new sidewalk, regenerates the land with a beautiful thriving pocket of Florida flowers and at the center of it all, stands a towering piece of art, the Caloosahatchee Water Wall, by internationally acclaimed artist Michael Singer.

Caloosahatchee Water Wall

Spend time connecting to each other and to Florida’s unique history while sharing the sunshine of southwest Florida at the gateway to the City of Fort Myers. Located less than a ¼ mile away from the Caloosahatchee River, the focal point of the Alliance ArtsPark is the Caloosahatchee Water Wall, a shimmering blue, anodized panel depicting the Caloosahatchee River and surrounding area.

In addition to being an aesthetic and educational piece, the Caloosahatchee Water Wall is designed to be a storm water run-off filter, using aeration and aquatic vegetation at its base to filter water in the retention basin. Water is pumped up from the retention basin; the water trickles down the trellis and into the regeneration zone. The filtered water re-enters the basin and eventually makes it’s way out to the Caloosahatchee.

About the Artist: Since the 1970s Michael Singer’s work has opened new possibilities for outdoor and indoor sculpture and contributed to the definition of site specific art and the reimagining of public places. Singer’s more recent work has been instrumental in transforming public art and landscape projects into successful models for urban and ecological regeneration. Singer has received numerous awards, including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation.

Concept Pack  More on Michael Singer Studio

Sidewalk and Lighting

There is a place where the sidewalk ends, And before the street begins, And there the grass grows soft and white, And there the sun burns crimson bright, And there the moon-bird rests from his flight To cool in the peppermint wind. – Shel Silverstein

Catch a nice breeze riding down McGregor on your bike. Uncover a fresh backyard experience with a locally rooted vibe at our weekly GreenMarket. Feel the beat of the street with local artists. Come inside and cool down with an art class. We’re ready to give you a warm welcome.

In partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation, we’re installing an 8 foot sidewalk, new crosswalks and lighting along the McGregor Boulevard edge of our campus.

Our address is a McGregor address, so it’s time we overhaul our front porch by connecting our property to the rest of the community and beautifying our yard with native plants and gardens.

One step at a time, these updates will help make our community more walkable, livable and accessible. Sidewalks drive progress by creating connection and improving the social well-being of the places we call home. Just like the arts.

FDOT Notice

Project Supported By

Special Thanks to our incredible community of donors and members:

Marne Adler • Herbert Anderson • Babydoll Houses • Jan & Vicki Baker • Ellen Ballard • Melissa Barry • Mary Bennett • Terri Bergmann • Bonnie Bohn • Brittney Brady • Susan Briody • James Brock • Lyn Brown • Cadence Music • Tom & Donna Chase • Clarity in Marketing Inc. • Jim & Joyce Clark • Jillian Clark • J.J. Cochrane • CopyLady, Inc. • Michael Corso • Joanne Couse • Kit & Tracy Cullimore • Gary Day • Sal & Ginny Dickinson • Mark Dinsmore • Jeanne Dozier-Bartlett • Jerry Edelman • Mary Eller • Wallace Faber • Family Thrift Center • Amy Fox • Lia Galletti • Phil & Donna Gaylor • Andrew Getch • Ronald Gilcher • Patricia Good • Robert Goodwin • Carolyn Gora • Nancy Green • William & Shreen Groce • Jim & Connie Gustafson • Danny & Katie Haas • Janet Hathaway • Lora Beth Hayes • Leigh Frizzell Hayes • Doug & Katherine Hendricks • Larry & Debra Hobbs • Bill & Andi Horowitz • Arlene Horvath • Jane Hudson • Betsy Hughes • Rosalie Hurwitz • John E. and Aliese Price Founation, Inc. • Sarah Joslyn • Donna Kjonaas • Craig Martin • Carolyn McGahey • Deborah Meisenberg • Mary Meyer • Mary Jane Mulholland • Kate O’Connell • Richard Olitsk • Jan Palmer • Beatrice Pappas • Clif & Tina Parker • Susan Pauly • Richard Prescott • Noreen Raney• Renee Rey Daskin• Paul Riederer • Mike & Ava Roeder • Dana Roes • Ali Sadikogli • Helen Sadler • Robert & Lynn Salem • Trudy Sampson • Robert Sanford • Scott Saxon • Jeffery M. Schmidt • Diana Schultz • Scott & Susan Siler • Carolyn Simpson • Shirley Snyder McLaren • Dorothy Steele • Toni Sutton • Carolyn Swift • Kristine Mosher Tarrow • Lee Anne Tauck • Pamela Templeton • The George and Mary Jo Sanders Foundation, Inc. • Bill & Isabel Thomas • Susan Tuttle • Glen Upton • David Urich • Lora Vatalaro • William Waites • Maureen Watson • Joy Williams • Mary Lou Williams • Elizabeth Woods

In memory of Lucille Remler • In memory of Deborah Meisenberg

Campus Enrichment Committee:

Jon Romine, EnSite, Inc • Jeffrey Mudgett, Parker Mudgett Smith Architects
Barbara Hill, Barbara Hill Fine Art Consulting • Michael Singer, Michael Singer Studio • Mike Sohn, Business Executive

About the Alliance

The Alliance for the Arts is a vibrant nonprofit visual and performing arts center located in the heart of Fort Myers. Since the 1970s, we’ve been transforming lives and improving community through the arts. Our year-round schedule of events have become a staple for the community through engaging gallery exhibitions, inspiring art classes from fine art life drawing to the art of beer-making and stimulating theatre productions that range from the classics to the cutting edge. We are a creative community hub that spurs and supports self-expression, imagination and individuality by connecting each other through the arts.

Your support of the arts matters.