Exciting Artis—Naples 2024-25 Season Continues into Summer

The final chapter of the 2024-25 Artis—Naples season unfolds this summer with a vibrant lineup of performances, exhibitions and community events— promising exciting artistic encounters for patrons of all ages.

The Naples Philharmonic opens May with a thrilling Masterworks program that tests the virtuosity of Naples Philharmonic Concertmaster Zachary DePue. Under the baton of guest conductor Hans Graf, DePue and the orchestra perform Barber’s demanding Violin Concerto and two late-career masterpieces by Bartók on May 8-9. Later that month, Associate Conductor Manuel López-Gómez conducts his first Patriotic Pops program, a star-spangled spectacular featuring some of the most treasured works by American composers, on May 22-23.

Beyond its own concert series, the Naples Philharmonic collaborates with several esteemed arts organizations in May. Gulfshore Opera returns to Hayes Hall on May 2 with Donizetti’s bel canto masterpiece Lucia di Lammermoor, and the orchestra accompanies two ballet programs that month: the cutting-edge Complexions Contemporary Ballet on May 4 and Naples Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty on May 15.

The Baker Museum remains open all summer, offering visitors a final chance to experience Rafael Lozano-Hemmer: Obra Sonora, a groundbreaking sound based exhibition that concludes 2024-25 Season June 15, as well as the annual Florida Contemporary, spotlighting three notable Florida artists, on view through June 29. Meanwhile, Entangled in the Mangroves remains on view, raising awareness of the impacts of climate change, pollution and overdevelopment on the fragile Everglades ecosystem. Art After Hours continues on the last Wednesday of each month, offering live music, refreshments at Heidi’s Place and free museum admission from 6-9 p.m.

Other highlights in the warmer months include the season’s final All That Jazz program on May 14, highlighting the lesser known collaborations between Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn; the percussive spectacle STOMP with its electrifying rhythms on June 3-4 and the annual Festival of Great Organ Music on June 15, featuring some of Southwest Florida’s finest organists.

Community programming abounds in May and June, beginning with the bi-annual Community Day on May 10, which welcomes SW Florida residents and visitors for a free and fun day filled with art and music. Artis—Naples becomes a hub for young artists in June with ArtSmart summer camps for students entering grades 2-5 (June 2-6) and grades 4-8 (June 9-20). Budding musicians can flourish this summer with Music Makers camps, including Youth Symphonia, June 2-6; Youth Chorus, June 9-13; Youth Chamber, June 16-20; and Youth Jazz, June 23-27. Each camp culminates in a free public performance.