HERALD PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Dancing with the Charlotte Stars contestants garnered support during Gallery Walk with their fancy footwork. From left are Maralyn Belliveau, Donna Barrett, Ralph Yankwitt and Jason Green.

HERALD PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Artist Jane Dickinson stand by her original painting titled “Catch of the Day” outside of Creations Gallery Feb. 16.

HERALD PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Artwork created by the late Ruth Spies, a painter, jewelry maker, photographer and long time columnist for the Punta Gorda Herald, was on sale during Gallery Walk at Creations Gallery. Husband Jack kept smiles as he kept watch over her wares. Owner Nina Sedule-Ross made sure that all proceeds from the sale were donated to Moffitt Cancer Foundation in honor of Spies.

HERALD PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Maestro T. Francis Wada of the Charlotte Symphony could barely walk three steps before his many fans stopped to chat with him. Here he is being greeted by Ed Adriaens, Libby Schaefer, Ludy Tadalan and Francine Adriaens.

HERALD PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Stacy Jones, vying to earn first place in the Dancing with the Charlotte Stars event set for March 2 at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, smiles for the camera with event co-founder Bob Dickinson. The event, now in its fourth year, is the brainchild of Dickinson and Judy Malbuisson, executive director of the Arts & Humanities Council of Charlotte County.

HERALD PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Michelle Valencourt from the Visual Art Center is promoting the 8th biennial National Art Exhibition, which is open to the public with free admission. The exhibit started Feb. 4 and is running until March 11.

HERALD PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Punta Gorda residents Donald and Irene Picard needed a little time out during the Feb. 16 Gallery Walk, so they chose this bench right in the middle of downtown so they wouldn’t miss a thing.

HERALD PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Singer Mike Carignan belted out tunes outside of Bisous. Inside the salon, clients could enjoy the music as they were getting one of the many services offered by owner Rick Bissonette and his staff.