By Aimee Schlehr
Welcome to an ART-filled 2020. Naples Art is thrilled to be kicking off the new year with so many new opportunities.
Naples Art is offering a new membership program, featuring wonderful opportunities, from private invitations and guest lectures to free event tickets and VIP programs. Visit naplesart.org/membership to learn more.
The keystone however, of this year’s offerings from Naples Art, is the Artist Business Entrepreneurship Program: the ABE Program.
For over 66 years, Naples Art has understood that artists are essential members of society, contributing to the creative economy, revitalizing neighborhoods, and are crucial to social, civic, and business innovation. As the visual arts leader, we want to ensure every artist has the opportunity and skill sets needed to support themselves through the creation of their art. Naples Art, clear in their understanding of the obligation to their artists, developed this one-year program that provides professional-development workshops and lectures allowing artists of all disciplines to develop and refine business skills that sustain their place in an evolving arts industry. The added marketing opportunity that is available allows artists to expand their reach and showcase their work. To learn more, visit our website.
The exhibition and show calendar offers a diversity of riches from one of the best outdoor art shows in the nation to a passion-filled artistic dining experience at Dinner with Artists. Learn more about these and other Naples Art events online.
The annual Naples New Year’s Art Show will be held Jan. 4 and 5. Naples Art’s nationally ranked multi-award winning, juried outdoor art show on 5th Avenue South will run from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days. The monthly Art in the Park will be part of the New Year’s Art Show on Saturday.
Art Focus with John Loscuito will take place Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. John Loscuito is the Florida Gulf Coast University Art Gallery director. During his six years at FGCU, he has curated over 18 exhibitions featuring nationally recognized artists that explore a broad range of themes and materials. Cost is $10 at the door. Coffee and danish will be served.
Little Things – An Exhibition Celebrating Small Works will be on display Jan. 14 through Feb. 16. The annual small works show is a celebration of the amazing yet little works of art. A reception for Little Things and The Human Spirit will be held Jan. 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Naples Art. The exhibit is viewable Monday – Sunday 10 am – 4 pm at Naples Art, 585 Park Street, Naples.
Dinner with Artists will be held Jan. 15 at Venue Naples featuring local celebrity chef Brian Roland and extraordinary paper artist Denise Cummings. Her collections have sold at Barneys and the Museum of Natural History and she is Artist in Residence at the W Hotel in NYC. Tickets are available online.
The Human Spirit in African and African American Art exhibit will open Jan. 17 and run through Feb. 23. This exhibition celebrates people in African and African American art with paintings, drawings, carved wood and additive sculpture. The exhibit can be seen Monday – Sunday at Naples Art.
In partnership with the Collier County Supervisor of Elections, Naples Art proudly features the winners of the Art for Democracy contest Jan. 17 – Feb. 27. The contest runs within the Collier County School System including all elementary, middle and high schools. There are three categories to participate: The History of Democracy, the Voting Process and Important Figures in Democracy. Twelve winners with be selected and featured at Naples Art. The reception for the Art for Democracy exhibition is Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., a free event with light refreshments.
For more information about any of the shows, events, lectures, classes, workshops or exhibitions that Naples Art offers, visit www.NaplesArt.org
Aimee Schlehr is executive director of Naples Art.
