New Year Possibilities – Naples Art Association

Now is an exciting time to be in Naples. Each New Year brings with it new possibilities. But, this year the possibilities are magnificent. As a
community, we are on top of our game and winning accolades for our healthy job market, our healthy citizens, our beaches, our real estate market and more. Around the country, our vibrant community is receiving recognition for being the fantastic place to live and visit that we all know it to be. The Naples Art Association continues to be at the head of the pack, championing Naples’ reputation around Florida, the nation and the world as a major arts and culture destination.

The membership of The Naples Art Association considers arts and cultural advocacy major responsibilities of their organization and a top priority. As a result, The Naples Art Association works for positive change and yields impact. Recently, The Lighthouse of Collier County drafted a letter thanking NAA for its important role in advocating for arts education in our community. The Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council named NAA their lead organization working with a grant from The National Endowment for the Arts. The NAA occupies a seat on The City of Naples Public Arts Advisory Council. And, a new collection is currently being assembled via NAA and with the help of the community that will tour the state and then the country garnering attention for Naples as an arts and culture leader in Florida. Through the coming together of nearly 1000 members, The Naples Art Association is able to leverage the efforts of many to create impact impossible
by an individual. Become a part of the possibilities by joining or increasing your participation with your community art center.

January is chock full of amazing opportunities to get involved and have a little fun in the process. After all, NAA is deeply committed to opportunities for you and everyone to Imagine! Discover! and Create! On January 3rd, get out and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather while you shop for unique art by local artists at Art in the Park. Stroll down Park Street and enjoy the oldest outdoor art festival in Naples. Bring your family for First Family Fun Activities including music, artist demonstrations, and make and take art projects. Downtown Naples
will be covered with art that weekend, because on Saturday and Sunday January 3rd and 4th Fifth Avenue South will be filled by the 18th annual Downtown Naples New Year’s Art Fair. Start the New Year off in style along 5th Avenue South in downtown Naples at this well established art festival. Shoppers will have the opportunity to mingle with over 240 professional artists from around the country exhibiting work in a vast array of artistic mediums. Attendees can chat with artists and learn about their inspiration and craft. From home décor to jewelry, collectors and festivalgoers will discover thousands of items that they simply cannot find elsewhere.

After the weekend, get back to “work” on January 5th, when the next round of professionally led courses begins, providing an opportunity to
expand your talents for expression through media ranging from Photoshop and digital photography to watercolors and beyond. Recently, many new and exciting classes and workshops have been added to the roster available at the von Liebig Art Center including Intuitive Art and Yoga, Useable Art workshops, and Basic Design for Kids. If you are an experienced attendee of classes through NAA, you will be happy to know that your favorite classes and workshops are still being offered. Whether you want to learn a new skill, hone an established skill or just Imagine! Discover! and Create! in a fun and social atmosphere, you will find the perfect course available from the over 100 classes and workshops offered at the von Liebig Art Center.

If you are searching for inspiration, or are passionate about wildlife, you won’t want to miss the next exhibition at the von Liebig Art Center. John Costin will bring his unique prints of bird life and other subjects from Florida, made by etching copper plates, to exhibition at the von Liebig Art Center beginning January 17th. Costin, a resident of Ybor City in Tampa, creates life size images of birds that explore nuances indigenous to that species. “Through my art I strive to capture and personify birds, enriching the viewer’s perception of this particular form of wildlife which they may rarely have an opportunity to intimately experience.

The birds are presented in such a way that they are aware of the viewer’s presence and react to that confrontation. Their reaction reveals unique traits to the viewer, adding another level of understanding.

Ultimately one’s sensitivity and awareness of these natural wonders could lead to a more profound perception of the world we all share.” Working in the etching medium, he creates complex and colorful images of birds, botanicals and other subjects that enrich the viewers’ perception. Along with Costin’s work, The Naples Art Association will host two other fantastic exhibitions: Wild Florida: An Exhibition by Naples Art Association Member Artists and Members’ Gallery: Mother Nature. Wild Florida invites viewers to gain insight into the wild side of Florida as interpreted by NAA member artists. Members’ Gallery: Mother Nature is subtitled Living the Wildlife which promises a great show due to the dual meaning of what it means to live wild. All are welcome to attend the preview reception for these three fantastic shows on January 16th at 5:30 p.m. Attendance is free for members and $10 for non-members. Preview receptions are a unique social
experience, providing the opportunity to meet and speak to artists about their process and work.

costin – snowy egret sm etching

Another way to gain deeper insight into the artistic process and meet with like-minded artistic individuals is to attend the entertaining and informative ART Connects Series lectures. The ART Connects series was inspired by the idea that art is everywhere and it impacts our lives every single day. Art influences in the most literal ways from coloring the world and filling it with painting, design and sculpture, to much more subtle ways such as the creativity involved in solving life’s challenges. ART Connects is a series designed to ignite your imagination and help you discover the world from new angles. Beginning and established artists will find the series a magnificent way to squeeze in some quality professional development. On January 22nd at 2:00 p.m., well-known and appreciated local framer Roger Gregory will discuss Presenting for Today and Preserving for Tomorrow: Roger Gregory Demonstrates Current Framing Methods. The lecture will include an in-depth review of artwork conservation, frame design and glazing options. Participants will receive supplemental handout materials for further education and reference. Then, on January 29th at 5:30 p.m., The Naples Art Association will host Lisa Scarfuro who will screen her acclaimed documentary film The Vision of Paolo Soleri.

costin – yellowcrowned night heron

While uncovering Soleri’s legacy as an architect, environmentalist, and philosopher, the film will pose critical questions about mankind’s
future, and architecture in a world facing environmental, social, and economic crisis. Architecture is the most public art form, and is
inextricably bound to the social forces, politics, economics, and dreams of our culture. When it is uninspired it drags us down with it. When
architecture succeeds, it elevates our senses to what is possible. The Vision of Paolo Soleri tells the story of one man who sought to shatter the status quo and discover means for a more balanced and connected existence through architecture. The last lecture is in February, so if you’re planning ahead and love birds and/or violin music, you will definitely want to save the date of February 5th at 5:30 p.m. when Dr. Jeff Leigh (of Naples Philharmonic fame) will present The Bird Calls. Dr. Leigh will play violin to accompany visual images from the exhibition of
John Costin. The performance will interpret the bird calls of the birds featured in Costin’s exhibit into violin music. Cost for each of these lectures is $10 for NAA members and $15 for non-members.

Passionate local artists and art supporters will most certainly want to save the date of For the Love of Art, Naples Art Association’s annual gala on Saturday, February 7th at 6:30 p.m. The gala will certainly be a very special evening thanks to an interactive graffiti wall provided by Acoustic Science, live and silent auctions and an awards ceremony featuring the inaugural presentation of three awards celebrating the impact of arts and culture in our community. The Impact Award celebrates a business or business professional who has demonstrated significant leadership in the arts and culture of our community though involvement in, or support of, innovative programs and creative partnerships. The Hirshhorn Award celebrates an individual who has shown visionary leadership and a commitment to advancing and enriching the arts in our community. And, The Gulfshore Life Emerging Art Leader Award celebrates an individual who is either a new
and/or young artist or arts leader who has demonstrated an ability to engage and impact our community. Purchase tickets in advance by visiting NaplesArt.org.

AN INVITATION TO CONNECT

Come see why The Naples Art Association at The von Liebig Art Center has been voted one of the best galleries in Naples with more local art for sale by a wider variety of local artists than anywhere else in Naples. There are many ways to engage art offered by NAA: enjoy the second largest art resource library in Southwest Florida, take a class with a master instructor or find the perfect gift in our one of a kind gift shop. Admission is free and opens the door to a greater participation in community and the arts.

Tour the galleries, shop, take a class or volunteer. The Naples Art Association works to support your creative evolution. Visit Naplesart.org for information on upcoming events and schedule of classes and workshops. The Naples Art Association is built from the resources and passion of our community to serve the members of our community. Come be a part of the art: Imagine! Discover! Create!