
TAKE A LOOK AT THE 2020 INSTALLATION

Donald Gialanella, our 2019 artist from St. Petersburg, Florida, returned with Globus.
His earth-shaped body slowly filling with trash symbolizes how our planet is being inundated with materials that could otherwise be recycled. It’s an interactive community participation sculpture that focuses attention on the importance of recycling using a humorous visual analogy.
Jessica Moon Bernstein from Colorado created a sea turtle, sitting on a sand sculpture nest surrounded by caution tape to convey the issue of endangered turtles.
The creation of an inflatable creature created with discarded plastic bags. So many bags -- do you really need one every time you go shopping?


Aleksandr Razin from New York created the thought-provoking Sneaker.
The environmental sculpture "Sneaker” is from found objects and recycled materials such as plastic auto parts. Sneaker acts as a transformer, representing interaction between environment and individuals. However, it is clear that the environment has an impact on individuals who are surrounded by it.
Steven Gutierrez from Ohio challenged us to think about the global impact of waste.
Each day recycleables and trash that USA used to sell around the world more and more is no longer being accepted by other countries. Imagine a package being sent back to us, and making us realize we cannot make our waste someone else’s problem.

International Festival & Events Association
2019 Gold Award Winner for
Best Program to Benefit a Cause

Florida Festival & Events Association
2019 Gold Award Winner for
Best Green Program

WHAT? A high-impact sculpture — made from re-purposed, discarded and cast-off materials — that sends an important message: “As a country we are overflowing with trash and recyclables.”
WHY? You'll be inspired to re-think what you throw away. Is it really "trash"? Or could it be recycled, or maybe even repurposed? (Art can inspire creative solutions!)
WHO? Lee County Solid Waste had a vision: To use the power of art to show how important it is to conserve our limited natural resources ... and to inspire re-use and upcycling. ArtFest Fort Myers is honored to have been asked to create and install We Are Overflowing for the inspiration of our community. (Learn about the artist below.)
WHERE? ArtFest Fort Myers, Edwards Dr. in downtown Fort Myers, Florida. (Here's a handy map.)
WHEN? "We Are Overflowing" will be on display throughout the ArtFest Fort Myers 2021 art festival weekend. Admission is free.
- Opening Night is Friday, February 5, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.
- The festival continues Saturday, February 6, 10:00AM to 5:00PM and Sunday, February 7, 10:00AM to 4:00PM.
SPECIAL EXHIBIT: RECYCLED-ART SCULPTURES BY STUDENT ARTISTS FROM LEE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Students from eight Lee County middle schools, coordinated by their art teachers, were invited to be a part of We Are Overflowing.
Students will create a sculpture from repurposed, discarded and cast-off materials for display at ArtFest Fort Myers – February 5-7, 2021. Participating art teachers will also receive classroom materials on the importance of recycling.
Awards will be given to all participating schools, with funds going to the classroom that created the sculptures.
- Best of Show - $250
- Best Art to Convey the Message of RETHINK WASTE - $150
- Best Creative Use of Materials - $150
- People’s Choice - $150
- Participation Award - $50 to other schools to recognize their involvement
The middle school exhibit is presented by a special Environmental Grant from LCEC.
