Cape Coral Parkway transforms for national art festival

CAPE CORAL - The Cape Coral Art Festival is just hours away from kicking off, transforming Cape Coral Parkway into a vibrant hub for artists nationwide.

Local artist Susan Oliver shares how leaving the corporate world reignited her passion for photography.

Oliver, who once spent her retirement sipping margaritas by the pool, found new purpose behind the lens. "With the first couple of years I we did nothing but drink margaritas and float in the pool. And, you know, I started to feel like I need to be doing something," said Oliver.

Her journey began at 13 when she won a camera . "I won a camera in a bingo game when I was 13 and I learned a little bit then," she said.

Now, Oliver is showcasing her work at the festival, including favorites like "Pelican Air Show." "Some of these are some of my customer favorites that I've been taking for years. And so I know they like them. This is Pelican Air Show," she said. "He looks like he's angry but he's not. He actually has a fish in its mouth. So a lot of people like that one," she added.

Her art, infused onto metal panels, promises longevity. "The ink is infused down into the metal, and it lasts a lot longer. Lasts longer than I'll be alive," said Oliver.

Joining fellow artists from Cape Coral Harborview Gallery and beyond, Oliver is ready for the thousands of visitors. "There's 1000s of people that are walking by," she said.

Though she thought her working days were over, Oliver's camera had other plans. "I will keep doing this until we're not able to put that tent up anymore," she said.