Programs

Join The Joe and Benita North Creative Community Program: Where Art Comes to Life!

Are you ready to unlock your creative potential? Whether you’re a child or adult, the Creative Community Program offers an exciting 8-week journey in the world of Performing Arts and Visual Arts — tailored for individuals of color.

What You'll Learn

Performing Arts

Stage movement, characterization, voice techniques, and more!

Visual Arts

Painting, drawing, composition, color theory, and perspective.

Why You Should Sign Up

Build New Skills

Gain confidence in both the performing and visual arts.

Express Yourself

Discover and expand your creative voice.

Real-World Application

Showcase your talent in a live performance and art exhibit.

Whether you’re exploring the arts for the first time or looking to hone your skills, this program offers a supportive and enriching environment for children and adults alike.
Artist-Painting-image

Creative Community Youth Acting Program

Our community came together for the children’s play “Getting Rid of JaySkunk” by Nikia Cavanaugh, a lighthearted performance with a powerful message about bullying and belonging. The young actors—kids ages 5 to 13—brought so much energy, joy, and teamwork to the stage.

We are incredibly proud of every child who participated. They had fun, supported one another, and showed wonderful growth in both their acting skills and their confidence. Watching them light up the stage was a beautiful reminder of why creative opportunities for kids matter.

A heartfelt thank you to Joe and Benita North, whose generous sponsorship makes this Creative Community Program possible. Your support gives our young people the chance to learn, grow, and shine through the arts. And a big thank you to all the parents and families for trusting us with your children, getting them to rehearsals, and cheering them on every step of the way. Your encouragement helped make this day a true success.

This session of the program has officially wrapped, but we’re not done yet!
Stay tuned for our next round of youth acting classes and the return of “Getting Rid of JaySkunk” and other fun productions.

Please check back here for future registration dates and updates—or visit our homepage to join our email list so you’ll be the first to know when the next program opens. A fun, positive afternoon for everyone involved… and more to come!

Creative Community Adult Acting Program

Creative Community Program Culmination & Performance Highlight

The Facing Our Truth & Inaugural Arts Celebration was the proud culmination of our community acting program at Imaginarium Theater.

Our graduates took the stage with a moving performance of Facing Our Truth, featuring the work of acclaimed playwright Dominique Morisseau, after weeks of training through the Joe and Benita North Creative Community Program.

Their growth in confidence, ensemble work, and dedication to telling meaningful stories shined in every moment.

Program Complete — Stay Tuned!
This session has officially wrapped! We witnessed:
  • Stronger Confidence
  • Sharper Acting Skills
  • New Friendships
  • Storytelling with Courage

Registration is currently closed, but the next round is already in the works!

Check back here soon for new enrollment dates and updates.

To be the first to know when registration opens again, visit our homepage and join our newsletter list.

Creative Community Visual Arts Program

Supply List
All Supplies provided
Adult Visual Arts Program
  • Age Restrictions: 16+
  • Dates: 8 Saturdays, 9/6/25 – 11/15/25
  • Time: 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
  • Art Exhibit: 11/21/25 at 6:00 pm
Youth Visual Arts Program
  • Age Restrictions: 11 – 15 yrs
  • Dates: 8 Saturdays, 9/6/25 – 11/15/25
  • Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • Art Exhibit: 11/22/25 at 2:30 pm
8-week Course Fee Adult: $25
8-week Course Fee Youth: $15
Register

Event Details

If you’ve ever wanted to try painting but didn’t know where to start, this 8-week beginner course is for you! No experience? No problem. We’ll walk you through the basics—like mixing colors, using different brushes, and having fun with your own creative style.

Each week, we’ll build on what you’ve learned, giving you the tools (and confidence!) to create something you’re proud of.

And to top it all off, we’ll celebrate with a fun art exhibit at the end, where you can show off your work and see what everyone else has created too. Just bring your curiosity—we’ll handle the rest!

Instructor

CHEYANNE LEWIS

Cheyanne B Lewis is originally from Broward County but came to Lee County to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Art History at Florida Gulf Coast University. Cheyanne developed a love for art at a young age that was continuously nurtured by her siblings, Mama, Pops and paternal grandparents. She had taken art classes from her middle to college years. During high school, Lewis volunteered as an Art Handler for the local community college next to her high school from 2018-2020. During her time in college, she developed a love for making triangular metal sculptures that showcase the positive side of being black despite the negatives. This new love for sculpture made her transition from paper to metal. She continued to pursue different fields in the art world; while taking classes, trying to find a job, and maintaining her social life. She also volunteered for her university sculpture studio and art gallery. Due to her determination, positive attitude, and skills, Lewis was able to get one of her first jobs as the Sculpture Studio Assistant and the Art Program Student Manager Assistant at her college. After graduating college in May 2025 with her degree, she immediately got a paid internship with Lee County Black History Society as the Museums Intern Art Coordinator and works for the Bridging the Gap Center of the Arts. Her current goals are to work her way up to an Art Gallery Assistant/Manager and go to graduate school and pursue an MFA in Sculpture or Museum Studies to become an Art Curator.

Cheyanne-Lewis-image

CHEYANNE LEWIS

Cheyanne B Lewis is originally from Broward County but came to Lee County to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Art History at Florida Gulf Coast University. Cheyanne developed a love for art at a young age that was continuously nurtured by her siblings, Mama, Pops and paternal grandparents. She had taken art classes from her middle to college years. During high school, Lewis volunteered as an Art Handler for the local community college next to her high school from 2018-2020. During her time in college, she developed a love for making triangular metal sculptures that showcase the positive side of being black despite the negatives. This new love for sculpture made her transition from paper to metal. She continued to pursue different fields in the art world; while taking classes, trying to find a job, and maintaining her social life. She also volunteered for her university sculpture studio and art gallery. Due to her determination, positive attitude, and skills, Lewis was able to get one of her first jobs as the Sculpture Studio Assistant and the Art Program Student Manager Assistant at her college. After graduating college in May 2025 with her degree, she immediately got a paid internship with Lee County Black History Society as the Museums Intern Art Coordinator and works for the Bridging the Gap Center of the Arts. Her current goals are to work her way up to an Art Gallery Assistant/Manager and go to graduate school and pursue an MFA in Sculpture or Museum Studies to become an Art Curator.

Cheyanne Lewis

Sign Up Now to receive more information and secure your spot!

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to grow as an artist and become part of a vibrant, creative community.

Let your creativity shine!

Register Now

We sincerely thank Joe and Benita North of North Law Firm for their dedication to promoting arts education and accessibility for underserved communities.

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MCCARTER, SONYA

Founder/Executive Director

In 2015, very few theaters in Southwest Florida produced plays featuring the stories and experiences of people of color. When Theatre Conspiracy decided to stage The Bluest Eye, she was tasked with finding an African American director with community connections to direct and cast the play. Finding no one, The Bluest Eye became her directorial debut. Additional credits include: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Seven Guitars, A Raisin in the Sun and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, King Hedley II, Race, The Color Purple Musical, The Colored Museum, and Sistas: The Musical. And most recently, Pass Over by Antoinette Nwandu and her 7th August Wilson American Century Cycle play, Jitney.

Sonya holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communications, a Master of Arts Degree in Oral Interpretation of Speech, and a Master of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts. Her deepest commitment lies in creating a space that empowers marginalized voices to express their creativity, honor their cultural heritage, and discover the shared connections that bring us together.

BERNARD, LEMEC

Director/Treasurer

Lemec Bernard was born and raised in SWFL and attended college at the University of Central Florida. He is the Owner/Broker of Bernard Realty Group where he helps residents in SWFL buy and sell residential and commercial properties. Bernard is also the Owner and Lead photographer of Snapshot Listing where he specializes in digital content for realtors and interior designers.

CLEMONS, TIJUANNA

Director/Secretary

Tijuanna Clemons is the Senior Contract Manager with over 10 years of experience in Project Management. Having spent the previous 13 years on the implementation and review side of things, she was ready for a change. She obtained her master’s in public health degree from Florida A&M University and was fully prepared to take on the challenge. Her initial focus was on grant writing, an area quickly established as necessary to ‘close the funding gap’ for services to low-income children & families. A few years later, grant writing shifted to management where she found a niche to more inclusively apply her skills and passion for supporting underserved populations as a project manager within the Early Childhood Education industry.

Tijuanna played lead and supportive roles in numerous plays and a musical at the Alliance for the Arts Theatre Conspiracy and The Laboratory Theater in SWFL. A few of her favorite roles were “Bertha” in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars; “Doris, the Church Lady” in The Color Purple Musical, and “Mama” in Zora Howard’s Stew. Her hope is that you’ll join her in advancing theater and the arts, particularly for underserved children and families in SWFL through Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts.

HOOD, COTRENIA

Director

Cotrenia Hood is the CEO of Steel Bleu, a business coaching firm specializing in offering companies’ innovative ways to improve organizational productivity.

Cotrenia has over 20 years of proven business development experience. Her wealth of knowledge ranges from working with small businesses to major corporations and nonprofits.

Cotrenia serves on several boards and leadership councils as well as being honored as one of the 2013 Gulfshore Business Magazine’s “40 under 40”, Florida Weekly’s Annual List of Power Women and is a graduate of Leadership Collier. She lives in Naples, Florida where she and her husband, Richard, enjoy raising their two wonderful children.

LINDSEY, ANTWON

Director

Antwon is the Founder of A38 Films and is dedicated to changing lives through compassionate storytelling as a means for ending human suffering. Born and raised in Liberty City, Miami, Antwon Lindsey has always loved literature and film. A firm believer in the saying, "Don't allow your upbringing to dictate your future," Antwon truly believes that "The only person that can stop you from turning your dreams into a reality - is yourself." His mother encouraged him to write and read, with whom he'd often spend time writing stories and remixing the lyrics to their favorite songs. Many people sometimes refer to Antwon as an author, filmmaker, visionary, and even an inspiration. Still, Antwon sees his life as just someone seeking to experience the limitless expression of our collective conscious existence.

GALARZA, IVETTE

Director

Ivette is the Owner/Chief Executive Officer of Ferrer’s Custom Carpentry Services & Remodeling LLC. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY to parents of Puerto Rican descent. She moved to Florida at the age of 16 and eventually attained her Master of Social Work from FGCU. She dedicated 27 years of her life to advancing the interests of vulnerable populations across SW Florida. Her most rewarding work was serving at an agency where she was responsible for the oversight and programmatic planning of contracts in excess of $60 million, serving 7000 children across Florida. During this tenure Ivette’s work gained national recognition and she was nominated and elected as Board Chair of the National Head Start Association—one of the largest early education advocacy associations in the Nation.

In 2018 Ivette decided it was time to tap into her entrepreneurial spirit and set out to change the trajectory of how her family saw the concept of generational wealth! She got licensed as a General Contractor and joined her cousins in strengthening a family-owned and operated construction business that today has grown into a Multi-million dollar business.

DEL ROSARIO, WANER

Director

A highly motivated and multi-faceted professional with experience spanning the arts, technology, and aviation sectors, Waner Del Rosario brings a unique blend of creative vision, technical expertise, and a passion for community engagement. He has demonstrated an ability to excel in diverse environments, from captivating audiences on stage in theatrical productions such as "Clyde's" and “Noises Off” to leading and managing IT solutions as the founder of Dreniam Technology Solutions, and Technology Education Leader at Lee Health. His commitment to education and community is further evidenced by his role as a Public Speaking instructor at “Camp HSR!”, a homeschool day camp. Being a part of BTG, Waner hopes to leverage his diverse skill set to increase representation and access within the arts community, creating platforms for underrepresented voices and fostering a more inclusive artistic landscape.