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Venice Flamingos
Mote Sharks
Mote Marine is a terrific aquarium where you can see everything from frisky otters to a mysterious octopus to the ever-popular manatees. But did you know that Mote is also a world-class research facility whose original mission related to the study of sharks? In fact, Eugenie Clark, Mote’s founding director, is known in the industry as the “Shark Lady” for her groundbreaking research. Clark discovered that some shark species do not have to swim continuously in order to breathe. Her study of “sleeping sharks” was a breakthrough in the understanding of shark biology and behavior.
In addition, Mote has the only Center for Shark Research that has received an official designation from Congress. The Center’s research includes investigations into why sharks (and stingrays and skates, to which they are related) rarely get cancer and whether that knowledge can be applied to humans that do. It’s just one more reason why Mote is such a special place.
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Artist
Anita Wexler
Anita Wexler is a dynamic mixed-media artist whose work bridges personal history, cultural identity, and spiritual exploration. Born and raised in a small rural town in Illinois, she grew up with limited access to traditional art materials, often turning to drawing and doodling as a form of emotional and creative expression. Her Native American heritage—particularly her Cherokee roots—deeply influences her artistic themes and symbolic choices. After graduating high school, Wexler served in the United States Navy, an experience that broadened her perspective and later informed her global artistic vision. She eventually settled in New York City, where she pursued formal art education, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Parsons School of Design and an Art Education certification from Bank Street College. She later obtained a Master of Education from National Louis University.
Wexler’s work is defined by her bold use of color, symbolic layering, and eclectic fusion of materials and styles. Often described as Primitive Pop Art, her art spans painting, illustration, assemblage, and sculpture. Her creative process is intensely personal and often spiritual, with recurring themes of transformation, identity, and inner discovery. World travel plays a key role in her inspiration, with artistic influences drawn from her journeys through India, Southeast Asia, Mexico, and Europe. Among her notable series is the “Totem Series,” a body of work that reinterprets traditional Native American totems through a modern, mixed-media lens.
Beyond her studio practice, Wexler is also an accomplished art educator, having taught high school art in Sarasota, Florida. She believes strongly in the power of art as a tool for personal growth and cultural dialogue. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is included in private collections, including those of notable figures like actress Jane Seymour and artist William Wegman. She has also made appearances on HGTV programs such as Isn’t That Clever and Crafters Coast to Coast. Through her art and teaching, Anita Wexler continues to explore the intersection of memory, culture, and creativity, inviting viewers into a richly layered and emotionally resonant world.
www.anitawexler.com & Instagram: @artbyanitawexler
Written By
Nanette Crist
Nanette Crist is a retired lawyer who began blogging when she moved to Florida. It was an online diary of sorts, a way to keep track of her new life. It was also a good way to share her discoveries with friends and family outside the area. Over time, Nanette realized her writing makes her experience the world differently. She keeps an eye out for interesting things to write about and then delves more deeply into them as she crafts her words. It's all about telling the story. Nanette's blog can be found at http://nanettesnewlife.blogspot.com.