Our artist, Skip Dyrda, is busy painting our 30th mural at the Punta Gorda Charlotte Library on Shreve Street. Stop by and say Hi!
He is also creating small videos along the way. Here’s his latest – take a look: https://youtu.be/jNrtQY7mqG0
“PAINTING THE TOWN” Mural Book
Our 25th Anniversary Mural Book
Available at Copperfish Books
103 W. Marion Avenue
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Buy it ONLINE
Perry McAdow arrived in Punta Gorda during the winter of 1896 as a guest of the luxurious Hotel Punta Gorda. Resident Kelly Harvey overheard McAdow exclaim while on the veranda of the hotel, “I’ve found the place to spend the rest of my days!.” And so he did, bringing his vast fortune to our little frontier town. Learn more about the man who had a major impact on Punta Gorda.
THIS WEDNESDAY
Join Us for the 5th Lecture in Our 1-Hour Local History Series “Perry McAdow: One of Punta Gorda’s Most Beloved Citizens” Free 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Wednesday, March 11th
Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association
2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda
ONLY 5 Tours Left this Season! Don’t Miss out.
The Historic Punta Gorda Army Airfield Mural is Coming Back
In 2002, the Mural Society painted our 17th mural capturing the Historic Punta Gorda Army Airfield (PGAAF) at the Punta Gorda Airport. The mural was lost in 2004 with Hurricane Charley.
Here are 2 photos of the original mural.
A Little History: The Army Airfield was constructed in 1943 and was used as a training facility for Army Air Corp pilots receiving instruction in flying mostly P-40 and later P-51 fighter aircraft. Pilots would train for 15 weeks as part of the 490th fighter or 502nd fighter-bomber squadrons. The Army closed the base when the war ended and the PGAAF was officially deactivated on September 1, 1945. An estimated 750 US pilots were trained during the 1 year, 8 months and 22 days the military facility was active.
We are happy to announce that after 16 years, we hope to finally recreate this important mural. It will be located at Veterans Park on the newly constructed wall on Nesbit Street.
A Call to Artists was issued in December and artist Skip Dyrda responded with the amazing mural design below.
Mark your calendars for our BIG Mural Fundraiser – The Giving Challenge
April 28-29 Noon – Noon
During the Challenge ALL individual online donations (up to $100)
will be DOUBLED by
The Patterson Foundation
Watch for more information in the April Newsletter!
Other History Related Happenings This Week Punta Gorda Charlotte Library – Adventures in Time – Tuesday, March 10th, 2-3pm, Free Event
Punta Gorda History Center – The Women Who Helped Make Punta Gorda – Wednesday, March 11th, 1:30-3pm, Free Event
Support Provided by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County & the Shively Charitable Foundation