By Aimee Schlehr
Naples Art is having an extraordinary season featuring so many new and expanded opportunities for art enthusiasts, art students and our community. Also featured are several beloved award-winning favorites, from exhibitions and outdoor shows to speakers, classes and workshops.
Naples Art programs serve 70,000 people annually, including professional artists, art supporters, youth and a culturally curious public in the City of Naples and the county at large. The art center is a laboratory for creativity, innovation and self-expression. We offer programs to develop artists, art leaders and art lovers and ensure creative expression is accessible to everyone and inclusive of everyone.
The monthly Art in the Park will be Saturday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Cambier Park.
A wonderful example of our commitment coming full circle is our series of nationally ranked outdoor art shows.
Naples Art’s outdoor shows are a highlight of season and the second of three, The Naples National, is ranked the fifth Best Show in the Nation. Join us Feb. 22 and 23 for the Naples National Outdoor Show sponsored by The Boathouse on Naples Bay. This multi-award winning juried art show in Cambier Park and 8th Street South from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., is one of Naples Art’s most popular outdoor shows.
Extend your Saturday with us, stay for a fun evening with our Naples National Evening Concert sponsored by The Boathouse on Naples Bay. Bring your lawn chair for Naples Art’s own Naples National evening concert, Feb. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cambier Park Band Shell. Concert features the very popular music of the Blu-Tones. Savor small bites and select from a variety of drinks offered from Artichoke & Company while listening to Blu-Tones rock out some of the greatest hits of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.
Get your tickets now! Coming next month is For the Love of Art: Studio 585, Naples Art’s annual fundraiser on March 28. Tickets are limited for this fabulous Studio 54 themed event, 5:30-10 pm at Naples Art. Tickets are available at www.Naplesart.org. Event is underwritten by Naples Illustrated and Florida Weekly.
EXHIBITIONS
Exhibitions offer wonderful opportunities for artists as well collectors to see and be scene among the extraordinary works.
Now – Feb. 16, Little Things – An Exhibition Celebrating Small Works. The annual small works show is a celebration of the amazing yet little works of art. Mon-Sun 10am – 4pm at Naples Art.
Now – Feb. 23, The Human Spirit in African and African American Art
This exhibition celebrates people in African and African American art with paintings, drawings, carved wood and additive sculpture. Mon-Sun 10am – 4pm at Naples Art.
Now – Feb. 27, Art For Democracy. In partnership with the Collier County Supervisor of Elections, Naples Art proudly features the winners of the Art for Democracy Contest. Twelve winners with be selected and featured at Naples Art. Mon-Sun 10am – 4pm at Naples Art. Reception for the Art for Democracy exhibition is Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., a free event with light refreshments.
SPEAKERS
Feb. 4, 10 to 11 a.m., ART Focus with Alan Brown, Art Collector.
Alan Brown is the founder and director of the Alan Brown Gallery. One of the foremost sources for modern and contemporary works of art, Alan Brown Gallery advises corporate and private clients, as well as estates, on the sale, purchase, appraisal, and care of important works of art. Alan will discuss his extensive experience in the art world as well as his many years of involvement with Naples Art as a consultant and lender to exhibitions.
WORKSHOPS
Naples Art has dramatically expanded its workshop offerings to compliment the extensive more traditional options like watercolor and oil painting. These are just a few of the dozens of options in February and they are selling out quickly, so register soon at www.Naplesart.org
Feb. 10, Encaustic encounter workshop with Madeline Sugerman.
Feb. 10, Resin workshop with Michael Solomon
Feb. 12, Contemporary batiks on rice paper workshop with Anna Hanley.
Feb. 13-14, Botanical printing workshop with Kathy Metaxas
Feb. 17-19, Metal clay jewelry workshop with Lorelle Bacon
Feb. 21, Felted silk shawl workshop with Leeann Kroetsch.
LIVE ART
A wonderful live art experience in downtown Naples is the annual Third on Canvas.
Feb 23 – 24, Third on Canvas has shoppers and diners strolling Third Street South watching more than 40 fine artists create their latest paintings, inspired by Old Naples. The completed works will be exhibited and auctioned at Naples Art the evening of Feb. 29.
Naples Art has been at the forefront of the arts and cultural landscape of Naples since 1954. We believe art can change lives and improve communities. We are committed to developing tomorrow’s artists and arts leaders, ensuring artistic expression is accessible to everyone and inclusive of everyone. We enrich Southwest Florida through the visual arts.
We couldn’t do it without the generous support of our annual sponsors Florida Weekly, Dragon Horse Ad Agency, Happenings Magazine, Spotlight Magazine, Naples, 90.1 WGCU, Sunny 106, WAVV 101, 96.9 WINKFM, FOX92.5.
For more information about any of the shows, events, lectures, classes, workshops or exhibitions that Naples Art offers, visit www.NaplesArt.org or stop by between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 585 Park St., Naples.
Aimee Schlehr is CEO and executive director of Naples Art.
