🎨🌿 Art Comes Alive in the Wild This Weekend!

Doug MacGregor & Dozens More to Headline May 10 Arts & Crafts Fair at Calusa Nature Center

FORT MYERS, FL — On Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium invites the community to a one-of-a-kind celebration of art, nature, and imagination at its highly anticipated Arts & Crafts Fair.

Headlining the event is Southwest Florida icon Doug MacGregor — renowned cartoonist, children's book author, illustrator, and arts-in-healthcare advocate. With his playful and uplifting style, Doug will lead live art sessions, share insights from his storied career, and debut a new original piece donated to Calusa’s permanent collection.

“Doug has an incredible way of using art to bring people together,” said Eric Raddatz, Executive Director of CNCP. “This fair will be a celebration of creativity, connection, and the natural beauty of our community.”

Joining Doug is a lineup of local favorites, including:

🎨 Mathew Halstead, known for his engaging Paint & Sip events at Calusa, will perform live Bob Ross-style painting demos, bringing peaceful landscapes and happy little trees to life.🎨 Whitney Hackett, celebrated painter and founder of Quartz and Clover and Curio, will showcase her nostalgic and dreamlike works inspired by nature and daily life.

More than 20 local artists and artisans will be featured throughout the event, offering handmade jewelry, sculpture, pottery, textiles, paintings, and other nature-themed creations, including:

• Debbie Kessler – Sew Deb Creations, a local artisan brand by Debbie Kessler-Woodward, features one-of-a-kind embroidered gifts including hooded character towels, reading pillows, tooth fairy pillows, mini purses, and more. Debbie's passion for sewing shines through in every piece she crafts.  Each creation is a testament to her dedication to quality and her love for the art of sewing.

• Leslie Dicken – Featured in the Calusa Nature Center gift shop

• Carolyn Hacker

• Sharon E. Tinnin

• Eric Blythe

• David Hennessy

• Nicole Gonzalez

• McKenna Rosas

• Annelise Navant-Meck

• Rachel Senitz

• Jeanette Igoe

• Nallely De la Garza

• Edie Carter

• Yvonne Schmitz

• Robert Bozek

• Brooke Trupiano

• Linda Saha

• Ed Donlin

• Mary Asaro

Families can enjoy a full day of art-making, music, planetarium shows, and exploring Calusa’s 105-acre nature preserve, including butterfly gardens, wildlife exhibits, and scenic trails — making it an event that’s as inspiring as it is unforgettable.

🗓 Event Details

• Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025

• Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• Location: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers, FL

🎟️ Tickets: calusanature.org

• Adults: $13

• Children (ages 3–12): $7

• Members: FREE

🌐 More info and tickets: www.calusanature.org

📞 Media Contact:

Eric Raddatz – Executive Director📧 eraddatz@calusanature.org 

📞 Event Coordinator:

Laina Kessler📧 lkessler@calusanature.org

🌀 Also Coming Up at CNCP

🎥 Mesmerica: A Visual Music Journey

Experience this 3D immersive planetarium show featuring music by James Hood.🗓 Every weekend | 🎟 Get your tickets now!

🌿 Nurture Nature Campaign

Help preserve our sanctuary, improve facilities, and expand outreach.💚 Support the campaign calusanature.org

🎉 Host Your Next Event with Us

Weddings, meetings, birthdays, and more — indoors or in nature!📅 Book your venue calusanature.org

🌟 Become a Member

Free admission, discounts, and reciprocal access to 180+ nature centers nationwide.🐢 Join today calusanature.org

📣 Sponsor a CNCP Event

Gain community exposure and support local environmental education.📧 Contact: eraddatz@calusanature.org | 📞 (239) 275-3435

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Sponsorship opportunities are available for all upcoming CNCP events! Your support helps us continue offering these educational programs and ensures that our preserve remains a place for future generations to explore and enjoy. As a sponsor, you’ll receive recognition at our events and visibility among an engaged, community-minded audience.

For more information, contact Eric Raddatz at eraddatz@calusanature.org or call 239-275-3435.

Nurture Nature Campaign: Help Us Preserve Our Sanctuary

We’re excited with the success of our "Nurture Nature" Campaign in 2025, dedicated to improving CNCP’s facilities and educational programs. Your support will help us maintain essential infrastructure, repair boardwalks, preserve local wildlife, and expand our outreach efforts. This campaign is especially important as we work to create a deeper connection between local youth and the natural world—something that’s more vital than ever in an age where technology often pulls us away from nature.

Become a nature nurturer today!

Host Your Event at CNCP

Did you know CNCP offers a unique venue for events? Whether you’re planning a wedding, meeting, or party, our indoor and outdoor spaces offer a beautiful natural setting for any occasion. Contact us to learn more about holding your event at CNCP.

Learn more about rentals and book today!

Become a Member Today

When you become a CNCP member, you enjoy a host of exclusive benefits, including:

• Free admission to trails, planetarium shows, and live animal talks

• Discounts on camps, workshops, and select events

• 10% off at the gift shop

• Free or discounted admission to over 180 nature centers nationwide

Join today and connect with nature all year long

About Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium:

Founded in 1969, the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium has served as Southwest Florida's premier environmental education destination for over 50 years. CNCP is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are also available for those interested in making a significant impact together with us. The 105-acre sanctuary houses butterfly gardens, bird aviaries, nature trails, and the only public planetarium in the region. CNCP provides educational experiences that promote environmental awareness, scientific discovery, and a lifelong love of nature, inspiring future generations of environmental stewards and advocates.

• A Special Thank You: We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ace Hardware, the place with the helpful hardware folks, as well as continuing supporters, including Vulcan Materials, R4 Roofing, Aux Delicies, Famous Dave’s, The City of Fort Myers, HERC, SWFL PRODUCE,  Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, The Fred and Jean Allegretti Foundation, Heitman House, Babcock Ranch and the Fort Myers Film Festival.

• Stay Connected Cozy at home? Experience the Calusa Nature Center virtually. Visit our YouTube channel for fun videos! ! Enjoy our FREE T360 tour from your couch: #HomeBoundAdventures #NatureAtHome. Immerse yourself in our fresh interactive education videos here. Make your event unforgettable with one of Florida's unique venues! From weddings and showers to meetings and parties, we offer stunning indoor and outdoor spaces. Reach out now to reserve your date! 

BECOME A NATURE NURTURER: DONATE HERE

Summer Camp

Camp registration will remain open until camps fill or until the Friday before the camp week begins. Don’t miss out – sign up early to secure a spot for your child!

For more information or to register, please visit https://www.calusanature.org/calusa-summer-camps and buy your tickets now!

Make this summer one to remember with unforgettable experiences, lifelong friendships, and the wonders of nature!