Season canceled: Hurricane Ian spared Sanibel theater but not homes of staff members

Dave Osborn, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read

Hurricane Ian may have spared the BIG ARTS on Sanibel Island but not staffers' homes.

The arts venue has canceled its 2023 performing arts season because more than half of their homes were destroyed as the Category 4 hurricane pummeled the island as it began making landfall in Lee County on Sept. 28.

"Our hearts go out to our friends and neighbors who have suffered devastating loss," Executive Director Lee Ellen Harder said in a Wednesday email.

"While BIG ARTS building sustained no structural damage, more than half of BIG ARTS staff lost their homes or had their homes significantly damaged. Most of us have relocated to temporary housing and are working remotely to take care of BIG ARTS business.

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"In that regard, we regret to announce that we have canceled the full 2023 Performing Arts Series and have suspended all on-site activities that were scheduled through January 30, 2023. All tickets and workshop registration fees are refundable — including Platinum Club catering fees. You also have the option of donating your ticket costs. All donations are 100% deductible and deeply appreciated.

"If we don’t hear from you by November 30, 2022, we will assume you wish to donate your tickets and/or registration fees."

This is the second time BIG ARTS has had to cancel its performing arts season since 2020.

The BIG Arts on Sanibel took part in the nation wide Red Alert for the We Make Events campaign on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. The campaign was created to put a spotlight on the hard hit entertainment industry by lighting up arenas, theaters, businesses and more in red. The industry has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign wants congress to pass the proposed RESTART Act to provide help to the entertainment industry. It was one of several venues throughout Lee County that participated in the nationwide event.

BIG ARTS more than two years ago opened a new $14 million building at 900 Dunlop Road, just off Periwinkle Way, that includes at 410-seat performing-arts hall. Then the theater in a few weeks had to cancel the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The arts hub has operated for more than 40 years and its theater shows regularly sell out. It attracts about 40,000 people every year for its concerts, plays, art exhibits, classes and other events.

Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram @lacrossewriter and on Twitter @NDN_dosborn.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Sanibel theater cancels performing arts season after Hurricane Ian