supporting community & the arts

The Fort Myers Beach Friends of the Arts was founded in November 2011 when a group of Island citizens envisioned an organization that would support and promote all types of art: Fine art, the performing arts and culinary art.

our mission

THE MISSION of Fort Myers Beach Friends of the Arts is to promote and support theater, music, culinary and visual arts on Fort Myers Beach and in the surrounding community.

the vision

THE VISION is to to make the arts of Fort Myers Beach accessible for all to discover and enjoy.

Help us support the arts on Fort Myers Beach! Volunteer your time, resources, or make a donation. Every little bit helps! We appreciate your generosity!

Since our inception we have supported the following organizations:

Friends of the Mound House
Fort Myers Beach Elementary School
Beach Artist Cooperative
Fort Myers Beach Art Association
Fort Myers Beach Film Festival
Fort Myers Friends of the Arts Winter Concert Series
Southwest Florida Sustains: A Regional Seafood Festival
Paint the Beach; a plein air arts festival
Taste of the Beach

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jacki Liszak

Jacki is a proud Ft. Myers Beach resident. She and her husband own and operate The Sea Gypsy Inn, Gift Shop and Sea Gypsy Vacation Rentals. Jacki is the Executive Director of The Ft. Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce and is a FMB Fire Commissioner. She is active in the community; serving on the Board of Keep Lee County Beautiful, Ft. Myers Beach Friends of the Arts and the Chamber of Southwest Florida. Jacki is a member of the FMB Women’s Club, the Junior League of Ft. Myers, a graduate of the Leadership Lee Program, a Realtor and an Accredited Real Estate Staging Professional. Jacki is committed to the FMB community and is proud of her island home.

Karen Woodson

Karen and her husband, Mark bought their home on Fort Myers Beach in 2016 and relocated to the Island after retirement in 2018. Loving island life, Karen is very active in the community. In addition to the Friends of the Arts Board, she serves as Vice President on Friends of Lovers Key Board. She is also an active member on the Board of the Bay oaks Recreation Center, and a member on both the Fort Myers Beach Women’s Club, and the Fort Myers Beach Advisory Committee. The couple also operates Parrot Eyes Vacation rentals on the Island.

Bob Layfield

Just recently retired, Bob is founding Board member of the Friends of the Arts. He was Publisher and Co-Owner of Island Sand Paper Media from 2010 to 2020. Bob is seasoned entrepreneur with 20 years in business ownership in wholesale restaurant and institutional supplies, and 10 years spent as an independent consultant, advising business sales and acquisitions ranging from $1M to $50M size in a wide variety of industries throughout the US. Bob earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Iowa and a BA in Economics from Northwestern University.

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Corky (Cathryn) Condon

Corky grew up in Pearl Harbor, HI and Coronado, CA
Education: San Diego State College
Career: New Misco Oil and Gas Supplies Irving, TX
Government Relations United States Telephone Company, WDC
Program Director Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, WDC
Executive Director SDIT
Consultant Vietnam Veterans Memorial, WDC
Volunteer Experience:
Agent Orange Class Action Program
Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
National Park Service Volunteer
Various community volunteer
Board Experience:
BOD Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Steering Committee National Association Veterans Family Service
Organizations
Incorporated SDIT and BOD Sons and Daughters In Touch (SDIT)
BOD Pine Shore Art Association
BOD FMB Art Association
BOD Friends of the Greater Ft. Myers Beach Art Association

Jessica Titus
“Jessie and her husband, Vince, moved here in 1980 from Middletown, Ohio, shortly after she earned her RN degree from Miami University (Ohio). Following the advice of, and on the heels of a local worm farmer and friend, they made the move. Today, they own Fort Myers Beach Realty, which was born in 2007. Previously, they owned Lahaina Realty & Lahaina Island Accommodations.

Jessie has served as President of the Board of REALTORS; Director South Florida Water Institute; Director FMB Friends of the Arts; Past appointed member of the FMB Land Planning Agency; Member of the FMB Women’s Club; Volunteer for the Lee County Trap/Neuter/Release program and the FMB “Save our Strays” feline program; Member of the community theater group; and member of the Caloosa Clown Alley #97, Clowns of America International and Red Nose Relief (providing emotional support in times of catastrophes). For decades, both have been active in the community in many unique ways. Being a part of this island’s fabric, along with helping to maintain the festive yet laid-back character and friendly, caring reputation, is especially important.”