MIFA Grants Wishes to MIA Arts Department – Clubs & Organizations| Clubs & Organizations

The students of Marco Island Academy (MIA), who rushed into the lobby of the school on August 16th 2023 were shocked to see a huge cardboard box waiting for them at the front door. The box, which was the size of a table, contained one of the biggest printers that students had ever seen.

When Marco Island Academy’s renowned art teacher Robert Eder was presented with a $5,000 grant from the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts (MIFA) at the end of this past school year, after careful consideration, he made the decision to use the money provided to purchase an Epson P9000 – a printer specifically designed for use on canvas material.

While this particular purchase may have seemed like a no-brainer given the productivity and dedication found within his students, Eder explained that the purchase of the printer wasn’t truly his first intention.

Melissa Scott, the principal at Marco Island Academy, received an email from the Marco Island Foundation of the Arts just weeks before summer break, simply stating that they were offering grants for “anything artistic that would benefit the community.”

Eder’s initial idea was to purchase software for students interested in game development. After reflecting on recent conversations he had with students, he chose to go a different direction, ultimately leading him to choose Epson. Eder explained that earlier this year, students came to him praising his courses but stated that they wished his art classes would apply more to “real life.”

“Well, money is a connection to the world outside of school,” Eder thought. “And if somehow I can focus my art classes on selling artwork as well as making artwork, I thought that could really be something.”

Marcos’ crowds were very interested in art, and especially photography printed onto canvas. He was then inspired to investigate which Epson products could do such a task, ultimately leading him to the P9000.

When the proposition was then brought back to Melissa Scott, she simply replied, “If you’re gonna go, go big.”

The grant was submitted by June 14th, and included additional plans for students to display and sell their artwork produced by a printer. These plans were inspired by past students’ accomplishments and work. Makayla Hendrick, a senior at MIA, entered one of the original photographs she made in class into a competition sponsored by the Island Center of the Arts last spring and won second place. Hendrick received $750 in cash.

“It’s a really great incentive and demonstrates that our students are capable of generating wonderful pieces from raw talent,” says Eder. “I thought, what can I give to you guys that will make you happy when you look back on your high school years?’”

Within the next few months, a selection of students plan to collaborate with Eder’s classes and practice marketing artwork to be sold at a variety of events throughout the school year. MIA’s art department has been invited to participate in several events, such as the 14th Annual Goodland Holiday Bazaar in November, as well as the 12th Annual Goodland Harbor Arts and Music Festival in March of next year.

“Right now, I’d like to do some sort of combination between The Voice and Shark Tank with students who are good at marketing rather than the artists themselves.” Eder plans to audition students who are interested in selling the artwork and highlights that each position promises its own revenue alongside the experience. He explained that each artist will receive 50% of their sale and each seller will get 5%. The remaining percentage will go to the MIA Arts Department for more supplies. “It’s almost like a business,” Eder states.

Eder and his students promise to bring a unique twist to the beauty of Marco Island and Florida.

“There’s a million pictures of sunsets,” Eder elaborates. “Anyone with a cellphone is capable of taking a photo of a sunset. So, students will be taking sunset photos, but incorporating them into an abstract design that’s somewhat of a cross between Andy Warhol and Keith Harring, while still keeping things Florida style.”

The Marco Island Academy Fine Arts Department, with the Epson P9000 and Robert Eder’s long-standing commitment to his students, will display creativity and innovation in a way that has never been seen before.

As Eder anticipates, “It’s going to be aesthetically awesome.”