Artis-Naples in April: Spring comes alive with art, music and more!

James Ehnes. Photo: Ben Ealovega

Artis—Naples welcomes Spring with a rich variety of visual and performing arts programming. From a stunning exhibition of works by internationally acclaimed artist Marcus Jansen, to a number of Naples Philharmonic classical and pops performances, to Lifelong Learning programs – this reimagined season continues with something for every artistic interest.

All activities will continue to incorporate safety protocols, including face masks, social distancing and the use of enhanced cleaning across the cultural campus to combat the spread ofCOVID-19.

“Thanks to careful and innovative planning, thoughtful protocols and critical capital investments, Artis—Naples has been able to safely present a diverse slate of visual and performing arts programming during this reimagined season,” said Kathleen vanBergen, CEO and President. “Over the past few months, we have welcomed thousands of patrons to our Kimberly K. Querrey and Louis A. Simpson Cultural Campus and have seen first-hand how excited this community is to experience the arts again, safely. With that in mind, we are thrilled to be sharing a variety of additional performances and lectures through Spring, with April highlights including Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly returning for the third time this season in a program of Jack’s Broadway Favorites with the Naples Philharmonic on April 2 and 3, and James Ehnes playing and leading the Naples Philharmonic in a performance of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto on April 9 and 10.”

Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly

Popular music reigns this Spring, with Naples favorites The Hit Men returning in a new show of favorite classic hits from the 1970s through the 1980s on April 5 and 6, and Jodie DeSalvo playing favorites of the 1950s and 1960s as part of her Piano Talks series, with guest vocalists Carolann Sanita, Bennie DeSalvo and Frank DeSalvo on April 14.

In Lifelong Learning, Rick Harris shines the spotlight on glamorous leading ladies in two lectures on Bombshells, as part of his popular Hooray for Hollywood series on April 16 and 19.

For families, LinkUp: The Orchestra Moves, explores the way music moves us through time, space and emotions. This special performance for families and elementary school students is a partnership between the Naples Philharmonic and Carnegie Hall on April 28, led by Associate Conductor Radu Paponiu.

Marcus Jansen: Two Decades of Relevance. Organized by Artis—Naples, The Baker Museum. Marcus Jansen, The Colonialist, 2021. Oil enamels, spray paint and oil stick on canvas. 50 x 74 inches. Courtesy of Richard Beavers Gallery.

Visual arts take centerstage on April 24, when Marcus Jansen: Two Decades of Relevance opens at The Baker Museum. For Jansen (b. 1968), an internationally exhibited artist based in Fort Myers and New York, painting is an act of intense engagement with the world. His art offers critical commentary on global sociological, political and economic issues and visceral responses to the world events that have shaped his life.

Visitors are invited to discover Jansen’s creative output, which has garnered numerous national and international accolades, in his first solo museum exhibition in Southwest Florida. Marcus Jansen: Two Decades of Relevance will be on view through July 25.

Visit artisnaples.org for tickets to these and other programs, and for details on Artis—Naples safety protocols including face masks, social distancing and forehead temperature scans.