Although 2020 will be seen by most individuals and organizations as a difficult year, we’ve hopefully learned and grown from the experience and have emerged stronger and smarter. Like every arts organization, Naples Art has been challenged by the demands of adapting to the realities of COVID-19. And NA faced an additional challenge – their air conditioning system gave up and had to be replaced.
In recent weeks, the entire system has been replaced making Naples Art delightfully cool once again. The lobby received a fresh coat of paint and new lighting and is now more welcoming and brighter. Watch for the reopening of Originals, the Naples Art Gift shop – a destination in itself – featuring the work of a selective group of jewelry, gift, and other artists and artisans from across the country who will sell exclusively at Naples Art.
Taking full advantage of these months of enforced ‘down time’, they have regrouped, re-envisioned, rethought, and will reemerge as the new Naples Art! And they’re just getting started.
Naples Art classrooms are humming with classes for adults and youth learning and working on a fantastic array of subjects. Whether you’re a curious beginner, weekend painter, or accomplished artists, Naples Art has something for you! A sampling: Paint Naples, Paint Like Monet, Abstract Painting, Beginning Drawing, Clay Hand Building, Therapeutic Finger painting, Collage, Watercolor, Pastels, and so much more.
One- and two-day adult workshops have begun as well, with subjects like Watercolor Out Loud, Beginning Seascapes, Encaustic Encounter, Cold Wax, Abstracting Landscapes, and Painting Mangroves.
NA’s youth offerings include Art for Kids, Art for Teens, Clay for Kids, Elementary Art Adventure, and Junior Art Adventure.
Reduced class size allows for generous social distancing. Naples Art has initiated enhanced cleaning protocols, mandatory mask wearing, extensive signage, sanitizers, and comprehensive protocols for keeping students, teachers, and staff safe.
Online registration for the February session and the rest of the season is open. Visit www.naplesart.org/classes/. The details page for adult classes & workshops indicates the level; youth classes indicate the age range. Each session is 4 weeks; classes meet once a week.
For decades, Naples Art has hosted seasons of some of Naples’ – and the nation’s – favorite and best outdoor art shows. This popular Naples tradition looks a bit different this year to ensure that artists and visitors are safe. There will be 6’ between every artist; masks will be required of artists, and visitors will be encouraged to wear masks.
Naples Art welcomes 40 juried, local artists to Art in the Park along with about 200 juried artists in the national shows – all held in the beautiful streets and parks of downtown Naples. Art in the Park takes place on the first Saturday of each month, November through April, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with original painting, jewelry, ceramics, photography and more.
Naples Art’s national outdoor shows begin this month. These shows consistently win the most prestigious awards in the country, including the Sunshine Artist’s 200 Best for 2020.
Naples New Year’s Art Show
Kick off the new year with the 25th Annual Naples New Year’s Art Show Jan. 2 and 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along 5th Avenue South. The show features 170 artists from across the county working in 17 different media.
The 42nd Annual Naples New Year’s Art Show is set for Feb. 20 – 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., along 8th Street South and Cambier Park with 170 artists from across the county working in 17 different media.
An exciting, socially distanced series of outdoor art shows, to be sure. Visit www.naplesart.org for complete schedules and details.
New this year, Naples Art Presents “Driven by Karen Barrow with artists Karen Shapiro, Jennifer Greylock and Shah Hadjebi.” The exhibition of automotive art, in cooperation with HW Gallery and the SW Florida Ferrari Club will be open during Cars on Fifth and will feature an opening reception Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m., raffles for original automotive art, and a snazzy Ferrari parked on the plaza at the entrance to Naples Art. The exhibit runs Jan. 15 – Feb. 7.
Naples Art’s ultra-chic Scene To Be Seen will take its place once again this season. Long one of the community’s favorite social events it’s set for Feb. 5 at Naples Art. “STBS” showcases 15 artists and 33 fabulous wearable-art ensembles that will be presented as a live model show. Tickets for the live event as well as the virtual version are available at: www.naplesart.org/scenetobeseen/
