Rachel Pierce

Sanibel artist and former NBC-2 news anchor, Rachel paints modern, fantastical original art in oil and acrylic reflecting the natural beauty and abundant wildlife found only in tropical Southwest Florida. A lifelong artist, she grew up in Wisconsin, and it was her 19-year career in TV journalism that first brought her to Fort Myers.

In 2020, Rachel decided to step away from the anchor desk to pursue her first dream – becoming a full-time artist. She quickly established a following with her live-streamed painting sessions and online store and had various pop-up shops around Southwest Florida. In 2021, she was named the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Artist in Residence, and soon after, Rachel, her husband, and their four children moved to Sanibel.

The Rachel Pierce Art Gallery opened in January of 2022, and just several months later, Hurricane Ian swept through Southwest Florida. Rachel’s home, gallery, and off-island storage were all flooded, destroying much of her family’s belongings, original paintings, and merchandise inventory. In the wake of the hurricane, Rachel found hope and inspiration in the iconic Sanibel Lighthouse and opened the outdoor space surrounding her gallery to host various island businesses and organizations in an “Outdoor Gallery & Island Market.”

Rachel enjoys giving back to a community that she says has given her so much. She’s a volunteer in the children’s area at her Fort Myers church, Riverside, has served on numerous nonprofit boards, and currently sits on the Charitable Foundation of the Islands board. Rachel is also a member of the Sanibel Kiwanis Club, the PTA, and the Sanibel Captiva Business Women’s Association. In partnership with SCCF, Rachel recently designed the S.E.A Water Cans.