Dale Rogers

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - There is a new piece of art on display along Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs.

Massachusetts sculptor Dale Rogers became the first artist to loan one of his works to the City of Bonita Springs for Art In the Sun Along Old 41 program.

The piece features two stainless steel arms stretching skyward. Between the arms is a large red ball and along one of the arms are a series of black birds.

The piece, called "Away," was installed Thursday morning in advance of the Bonita Springs National Art Festival which kicks off at 10 a.m., Saturday at The Promenade.

Rogers will be one of the 100-plus artists showcasing and selling works at the festival.

Using WD-40 to shine the piece, Rogers said he loves the spot where his sculpture is positioned - just to the south of the Liles Hotel at Riverside Park.

Arleen Sheehan, the city's special events coordinator, said Rogers work caught the eye of volunteers involved with the city's program and asked if he wanted to loan it to the city for one year.

Rogers was happy to oblige.

"I go to a lot of these art festivals and I can say that Bonita's is one of the best because it's so tight," he said. "It has a nice mix of artists and the people who attend it really know art. I can't say enough good things about it."

The volunteer committee will use the weekend's art festival to seek out other artists who may want to fill up the remaining four concrete slabs along Old 41, Sheehan said.

The other four slabs are behind the Lee County Sheriff's Office substation, near Riverside Park's butterfly gardens, in Depot Park and at the north side of the Old 41 fire station.