CHARLES RUNNELLS|CRUNNELLS@NEWS-PRESS.COM
The line stretched around the art-gallery corner and into the lobby at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, and it didn't let up for more than 90 minutes Saturday night.
Hundreds, it seems, wanted to visit Davis Art Center and wish a hearty happy birthday to the woman whose name emblazons the front of the downtown Fort Myers building.
At end of the line, Berne Davis, herself, smiled graciously in her pearl earrings and freshly styled hair as people congratulated her, gave her presents or simply shook her hand.
This wasn't just any birthday celebration for Berne Davis, the benefactor who has donated so much time and money to arts and civic causes in Lee County.
"You're only 100 once," said the art center's founder and director, Jim Griffith. "We're calling it the party of the century."
Longevity runs in Davis' family: Her mother lived to be 99, she said. But that didn't stop her from marveling at her upcoming milestone, which happens Wednesday.
"I just feel like it's unreal that I could live to be 100," Davis said. "I don't feel my age — except mentally (laughs)!"
Her early birthday party took place at the arts center Davis helped create by donating more than $2 million over the years. The former post office and federal courthouse now hosts art exhibits, concerts, fundraisers and plays.
For Saturday's celebration, the center opened its upper floors to Davis's friends, family and guests. The building is being renovated, and only the completed first floor is usually open to the public.
Guests listened to music by various local acts, including local flautist Kat Epple and berimbau player Aiyb Dieng. The musical duo serenaded Davis for a minute in the gallery, and Davis beamed in delight, clapped and exclaimed "Beautiful!"
Then the party moved outside, where part of First Street was blocked off and lined with white-tablecloth-draped tables for dinner. The dinner presentation included the unveiling of a bronze sculpture of Davis. The menu featured coffee-roasted filet mignon, red-skin potatoes, swamp cabbage and roasted asparagus. Local chocolatier Norman Love provided the birthday cake — not chocolate, but Davis's favorite: Lemon.
"We've got art, music and good food," said Davis' niece, Alexandra Bremner. "All the things that Berne loves!"
In all, about 250-300 people came to Davis Art Center to celebrate the woman former Fort Myers Mayor Jim Humphrey called "the first lady of Fort Myers."
"Berne's been such a part of the fabric of Fort Myers," said friend Tracey Galloway, 42, of Fort Myers. "And not just the arts… Everything that's good about Fort Myers, Berne has touched somehow."
History
Davis and her family moved to Slater (now North Fort Myers) in 1928 when when she was 14. After marrying banker and clothing-shop owner Sidney in 1939, the same year she was named the second Queen of Edisonia in the annual Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade (then called the Pageant of Light Parade), she and her new husband devoted themselves to beautifying Fort Myers and helping support the arts and Davis' love of gardening.
It's a mission she continued even after Sidney's death in 1989. Davis' accomplishments include funding a scholarship program with the Uncommon Friends Foundation, a garden restoration project at Edison & Ford Winter Estates and a meditation garden at Lee Cancer Center.
Davis' love of gardening was something she shared with her friend, Mina Edison, wife of Thomas Edison.
Davis used to visit Mina and sing hymns with her and other women.
At nearly 100, Davis stays active in the local arts scene, and she's a common sight at fundraisers, art exhibits and plays.
"She's still with it," said family friend Kay Holloway, 66, of Fort Myers. "And she goes all the time. I can't keep up with her!"
Davis said she's flattered by the attention. "It's so exciting," she said. "I'm soaking it up!"
Other celebrations for Berne Davis
• What: Hymn sing in honor of Berne Davis
• When:
4 p.m., March 23
• Where:
First United Methodist Church, 2466 First St., Fort Myers
• Admission:
Free
• Info:
332-1155 or fumcftmyers.org
• What:
An Uncommon Evening, featuring a celebration of Berne Davis' 100th birthday
• When:
Reception 6 p.m., March 26; dinner, 7 p.m.
• Where:
Harborside Event Center, 1375 Monroe St., Fort Myers
• Tickets:
$100
• Info:
337-9503 or uncommonfriends.org
Berne Davis
• Born:
March 19, 1914, in Hamilton County, Fla.
• Home:
Fort Myers
• Education:
Graduated from Fort Myers High School in 1933
• Career:
She worked for the Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce after high school. She went on to become a philanthropist and volunteered for community organizations.
• Hobbies:
Art, music and gardening.
Berne Davis got a one-of-a-kind gift Saturday: A bronze bust in her likeness.
The statue was a secret project that had been in the works since October. Friends raised the money and organized the creative team.
Local artist David Meo used photos of Davis to carve a clay bust that was later cast in bronze at a Sarasota foundry.
"We had a couple of photo shoots with Berne," said artist and FGCU professor Mary Voytek, one of four project collaborators. "But she didn't know why we were taking pictures of her."
Meo combined those photos with photos from all periods of Davis' life. The idea was to show Davis at all times in her life, Meo said. From one angle, the sculpture might look like a 20-year-old Davis. From another angle, a 99-year-old Davis.
Meo talked to Davis's friends – including collaborators Voytek, Sherry Rohl and Aida Bukovica – to capture the woman's personality, generosity and love of art. He even talked to her hair stylist to get her hair right.
"Everyone mentioned her smile," Meo said. "I imagined she was looking at art or watching a concert. That smile on her face is a smile of appreciation."
