Shelling artist thanks her fellow artists for recovery after Hurricane Ian

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

At Gerri Zoppa's home in Fort Myers, her dining room table doubles as her easel, covered in art supplies.

"You can never have enough brushes," said Gerri.

"These are beautiful shells that came from Sanibel," said Gerri. "I start with the sky."

Gerri started selling her art years ago, supplementing her income after retiring, until one day, when she was forced to stop.

"When you have 6 feet of water in the house, the damage is incredible," said Gerri. "I lost my car, my home, and all of my art supplies. To see everything destroyed, including the art I had just hung on the walls. It just breaks your heart."

Although Gerri was suffering, her community, including her friends at the Fort Myers Beach Art Association, refused to let her do it alone.

"My friends came to my rescue. They not only gave me supplies, but they gave me gift cards that I could buy from art studios and art stores," said Gerri. "I just couldn't thank them enough. They were... they were there for me."

Gerri's able to keep creating as she's surrounded by like-minded artists, and sell the shells she hopes inspire others to love our Gulf Coast.

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