New Year, Same World-Class Arts

ARTIS-NAPLES

Artwork by Pepe Mar, Florida Contemporary
2023-2024 exhibition installation view,
courtesy of Artis—Naples, The Baker Museum

January rolls around each year with the joyous energy of new beginnings and fresh resolutions. As you contemplate who you want to be in 2024, and how you might go about becoming that person, we hope ‘patron of the arts’ makes it onto your list. Artis—Naples continues to offer a stacked calendar of performances, exhibitions and special events across the visual and performing arts. No matter your taste in music or art, you are sure to find something exciting to experience on the Kimberly K. Querrey and Louis A. Simpson Cultural Campus.

The Baker Museum continues to show thoughtfully curated and visually striking exhibitions. Nature enthusiasts are sure to enjoy Tamara Kostianovsky: Botanical Revolution, a collection of sculptural works constructed from repurposed textiles. The works in this exhibition mimic the shapes of the natural world, taking the form of tree stumps, cow carcasses and birds—and several of the works created for this exhibition take inspiration from the flora and fauna of Southwest Florida. Our Sunshine State also takes center stage in Florida Contemporary: 2023-24, an annual
exhibition which features the work of three working artists currently based in Florida. This year’s exhibition showcases work from Yanira Collado (Miami), Mernet Larsen (Tampa) and Pepe Mar (Miami). Their inventive and bold creativity is a wonderful example of Florida’s vibrant art scene. And if Miami and Tampa aren’t quite local enough, museumgoers can

The Art of Food: From the Collections
of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family
Foundation exhibition installation view, courtesy of Artis—Naples, The Baker Museum

also see a bit of Collier County in The Face of Immokalee, a public art project created by photographer Michelle Tricca exhibiting portraits of the people of Immokalee, an agricultural city just 45 minutes outside of Naples. Last, but certainly not least, The Art of Food: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation offers a playful and poignant meditation on the cultural significance of food.

Kazem Abdullah

For those looking for a symphonic celebration, a host of Naples Philharmonic performances await your attendance. If classical music is your cup of tea, you may be interested in one of the orchestra’s Masterworks performances. First, on January 4 and 6, conductor Kazem Abdullah makes his Artis—Naples debut leading the orchestra and guest pianist Fazil Say in a program featuring Ravel’s Piano Concerto. Then, on January 25-26, Alexander Shelley returns to conduct the orchestra in his first Masterworks performances since being named artistic and music director designate. Among his epic programming choices for the evening is Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration. On a more intimate scale, musicians of the Naples Philharmonic will perform chamber music by Mozart and Clara Schumann in a Sypert Salon series performance, January 9 and 14. The Naples Philharmonic also has two Pops programs this January. Tony-nominated actress and singer Megan Hilty joins the orchestra for an evening of hits from Broadway and beyond, January 9-13, and Michael Grandinetti offers a magical night with his Symphony of Illusions show, January 30-February 3.

Chazz Palminteri

A wide range of additional performing arts offerings mark the opening of the new year, including Chazz Palminteri’s extraordinary one-man show A Bronx Tale on January 5, The Broadway Hollywood Songbook’s celebration of the biggest musicals from stage and screen on January 25-26 and a highly anticipated visit from The Cleveland Orchestra with Music Director Franz Welser- Möst and violin star Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider on January 28. And if it wasn’t already on your radar: Broadway is coming to town! The touring revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Company will be presented in Hayes Hall January 16-21.

Britney Coleman as Bobbie (center) and the
North American Tour of COMPANY.
Photo by Matthew Murphy for Murphy Made

Whatever your taste in the arts this year, Artis—Naples has something for you.

FEATURED PHOTO: Tamara Kostianovsky: Botanical Revolution exhibition installation view, courtesy of Artis—Naples, The Baker Museum