Couple helps bring the arts to life

COURTESY PHOTO Andrea and Phil Gainer

Sanibel residents Andrea and Phil Gainer have recently made a major planned gift to BIG ARTS that will be suitably recognized by naming the verandah outside of Schein Hall for them. They also support BIG ARTS as angels and have been members for six years.

Seasonal participants in island life since 1989, the Gainers are now Florida residents with a home in the Dunes. They both attended West Virginia University, with Andrea starting her career in the public school system of West Virginia and retiring from the faculty of West Virginia University, while Phil went into business as a real estate broker. He was mayor of Lewisburg for 13 of the 48 years they have been married.

BIG ARTS is a major part of their island life. They have a special interest in fostering classical music appreciation, especially Chamber Music, on both Sanibel and in West Virginia.

"Many of the problems of our society, lack of civility and lack of responsibility, for example, are caused by lack of education and minimal exposure to the arts," said Phil Gainer.

For information about upcoming events and workshops at BIG ARTS, to purchase tickets, or to sign up for workshops, stop by BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road Sanibel, call (239) 395-0900, e-mail info@BIGARTS.org, or visit www.BIGARTS.org.