Naples Art sets sights on new year

Courtesy of Naples Art
We’ll long remember 2020 as a year of challenges – personally, locally, nationally and internationally. For Naples Art, beset, like every Naples arts organization by the demands of adapting to the realities of COVID-19, the year brought another challenge. Their air conditioning system gave up and had to be replaced.
Taking full advantage of these months of enforced “down time,” they have regrouped, re-envisioned, rethought, and are about to re-emerge as The New Naples Art. And they’re just getting started.
Naples Art classrooms will be cool and ready when classes and workshops for adults and youth begin in January with a fantastic array of subjects. For curious beginners, weekend painters, and accomplished artists, Naples Art has something for you. Some of the offerings: 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 start in January as well with subjects like Watercolor Out Loud, Beginning Seascapes, Encaustic Encounter, Cold Wax, Abstracting Landscapes, and even Painting Mangroves.
A sampling of youth offerings: Art for Kids, Art for Teens, Clay for Kids, Elementary Art Adventure, Junior Art Adventure
Reduced class size will allow for social distancing. Naples Art has initiated enhanced cleaning protocols, mandatory mask wearing, extensive signage and sanitizers, and has created comprehensive protocols for keeping students, teachers, and staff safe.
Registration for the January session as well as the rest of the season is open: www.naplesart.org/classes/
Enrollment is online through the NA website. The details page for adult classes & workshops show the student level; youth classes indicate the age range. Class sessions are 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 Naples tradition will look a bit different this year because of the need to keep artists and visitors safe. Each season, Naples Art welcomes 40 juried, local artists to Art in the Park along with to the almost 200 juried artists in national shows – all in streets and beautiful parks of downtown Naples. This season, there will be 6 feet between every artist; masks will be required of artists, and visitors will be encouraged to wear masks. Walking past booths will be one way.
Art in the Park is held on the first Saturday of each month from November through April, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with painting, jewelry, ceramics, photography and more.
Naples Art’s national outdoor shows starts January 2021. These shows consistently win the most prestigious awards in the country, including the Sunshine Artist’s 200 Best for 2020.
Kick off the new year with the 25th Annual Naples New Year’s Art Show Jan. 2 – 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.
An exciting, socially distanced series of outdoor art shows, to be sure. Visit www.naplesart.org for complete schedules and details.
But wait – There’s more …
New this year, Naples Art Presents “Driven by Karen Barrow” with Karen Shapiro, also featuring Jennifer Greyluck & 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, raffles for original automotive art, and a snazzy Ferrari parked on the plaza at the entrance to Naples Art.
Once again, the ultra-chic Scene To Be Seen will take its place among Naples favorite social events. Set for Feb. 5 at Naples Art, features 15 artists showcasing 33 fabulous wearable-art ensembles. In-person attendance are limited, and tickets for virtual attendance at the live-streamed event are available at www.naplesart.org/scenetobeseen/
Also new this year will be the ability to vote for your favorite look live online and in person. All funds raised will benefit NA community programs. They hope to see you there or online.