Grand Opening of the Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial
The Alliance for the Arts and Southwest Florida resident Gabrielle Bolen invite the community to the grand opening of the Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 10:30 a.m. This event takes place at the Alliance for the Arts during their Morning Market and Family Fun Day, featuring an artisan market and family-friendly activities. The grand opening ceremony is open to the public, welcoming all to honor beloved pets who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
A Space for Reflection
Inspired by the touching Rainbow Bridge poem, this memorial provides a serene space for pet lovers to remember and celebrate their animals. Visitors are invited to leave collars in tribute to pets they’ve lost, contributing to a living memorial filled with stories of love and companionship.
Gabrielle Bolen, a lifelong dog lover, spent over a year planning and fundraising for this project. Her vision became a reality through the support of local businesses and the community.
Bolen expressed her gratitude, stating, “What started as a simple idea grew into something much larger than I ever imagined… Seeing it completed is incredibly emotional.”
Design and Purpose
The memorial features a symbolic structure that visitors can walk around, surrounded by landscaping and a peaceful seating area, emphasizing reflection and remembrance. Community members are encouraged to bring collars or tags to honor their pets, creating lasting tributes that deepen the connection between people and their animals.
Bolen hopes the space brings comfort to visitors, saying, “The love we have for our pets is real, and that love deserves a place to be remembered.”
Community Collaboration
The project has been realized through a collaborative effort involving local businesses, which provided funding, construction, labor, and materials. Every donor will be recognized with a commemorative plaque near the memorial.
Key contributors to the Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial include:
- Shoreline Lumber
- The Structure Pros, Inc.
- APEX Companies, LLC
- Shoreline Property Company
- Mike Stewart, P.E.
- Driftwood Gardens
- FASTSIGNS Naples
- iBuild Design & Remodel
- TriCircle Landscape Supply
Neil Volz, executive director of the Alliance for the Arts, shared, “The Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial is creating a place where residents and visitors can experience the arts alongside nature as a source of healing.”
Ongoing Community Engagement
The memorial is part of the ArtsPark initiative at the Alliance, which aims to create immersive arts, nature, and community experiences. Future plans include accessible walkways, art installations, and interactive gardens.
For those interested in supporting ArtsPark and future improvements, donations can be made at ArtInLee.org/donate. For more information about the Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial, visit ArtInLee.org or follow them on Instagram and Facebook at RainbowBridgeSWFL.
About Alliance for the Arts
The Alliance for the Arts is a nonprofit visual and performing arts center located in Fort Myers, Florida. Since 1975, it has been committed to transforming lives through the arts. The campus is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call 239-939-2787 or visit www.ArtInLee.org.
— Source: Alliance for the Arts
