Reflecting On 60 Years Of Arts And Community

Art enriches our lives. From the quality of our marketing to the intimacy of our living rooms, art brings depth and inspiration. During their 60th anniversary year, Naples Art Association is reflecting on its role as the premier community supported and community driven art organization. Their mission and vision statements are at the core of the reflection: The mission is to promote and advance education, interest and participation in the visual arts. The vision is to serve individual artists of all ages and levels along their creative journeys and to inspire all who visit to live and think artistically. These core values drive the programming, exhibitions and outreach that bring art to the Naples community.

Over the course of 60 years, the Naples Art Association has been one of the major founding organizational forces of our community. People who are passionate about history, art education and art appreciation love the connection the art association has with the community. History buffs, students and other curious and inquisitive people feel connected to and enjoy learning from the past as they grow to appreciate and support the value art brings to their community. The Naples Art Association is here for the community.

Art and the economy may sometimes seem like an unlikely pair. Art is fantastical; creativity is driven by individual expression. Economy is often impersonal and based on the starkly real: commodities values, investor confidence and employment percentages. However, art and art culture are deeply important to the vibrancy and economic health of a community. Art is a business. Each artist with a painting in an exhibit or a booth on the street is a business owner. The Naples Art Association provides an important venue allowing artists to professionally pursue their dreams and make a living sharing their talent with others. Every painting a collector purchases supports a small business.

Beyond supporting the business of art, art contributes to a bustling and exciting local economy. The Naples Art Association considers its economic responsibility to the community crucial. That is why the NAA focuses on facilitating exhibition of local artists in galleries at the von Liebig Art Center, Physicians Regional Healthcare System, Edison College, and the show at Naples City Hall of artwork by students in ARTS cool. The art association hosts four major two-day festivals that support the tourism and hospitality industries. Festival attendees are visitors and locals who shop, dine and stay in hotels. They also help make our community an attractive place for people looking to establish and build their careers and lives. By supporting art and artists, the community is able to grow and thrive.

Beyond exhibition opportunities and festivals, the Naples Art Association supports the education of area youth and adults. ARTS cool provides opportunities for youth to imagine, discover and create during the summer, thereby extending educational opportunities into off-school hours. The NAA also supports youth through college scholarships, including the Jade N. Reidel scholarship that provides up to $5000 to area teens. Community adults appreciate classes, workshops and lectures offered at the von Liebig Art Center that are affordably priced and discounted to Naples Art Association members. Networking opportunities are ever present at all of the programming. NAA members learn from each other! By advancing and promoting education, interest and participation in the visual arts, NAA helps to assure a vibrant and successful community in the future.

Imagine! Discover! Create!

During the 60th anniversary year and as we approach the new calendar year, Naples Art Association is excited for the future of art culture and economy in this community. The celebration continues this year with a rich series of festivals, exhibitions, educational experiences and other events.

January is packed with special opportunities for artists and art supporters to imagine, discover and create. Events kick right off on the first weekend of January. Saturday January 4th the NAA will host the 57th season of Art in the Park and First Saturday Family Fun Activities. Art in the Park is the oldest art fair in Naples and a valuable tradition of our community. This month features Kim McLaughlin demonstrating painting techniques. The events take place in Cambier Park and along Park Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Art in the Park fun is a can’t-miss event and for the whole family!

The same weekend, The Naples Art Association is presenting the Downtown Naples New Year’s Art Fair on Saturday and Sunday January 4th and 5th. 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 artists and learn about their inspiration and craft. From home décor to jewelry, collectors and festival-goers will discover thousands of items that they simply cannot find elsewhere.

Then, on January 31st the Naples Art Association will host a preview reception for Spring Show 2014: ArtCouncil of Southest Florida, Members’ Gallery Small Works Show, and Diamonds: The Naples Art Association’s Collection. Preview receptions are a great opportunity to discover great art, shop, and have discussions with artists and art supporters. The previous reception for Joan Brechin Sonnenberg: The Middle Point, Florida Inpiration and Breaking Through With Color was a great success with over 340 people celebrating the opening. Preview receptions provide the chance to be part of the art community while enjoying an evening out.

The Art Council of Southwest Florida and Naples Art Association team up to present Spring Show 2014: Arts Council of Southwest Florida with works by Art Council and Naples Art Association members. This juried biennial exhibition in The von Liebig Art Center’s Frederick O. Watson Gallery is on view from February 1st to March 1st.

The Members’ Gallery: Small Works Show is back by popular demand. The theme of the exhibition is SMALL DIMENS IONS-POWER FUL IMPACT! The exhibition is showing at the Naples Art Association (NAA ) Members’ Gallery, located in the Cuthbert Studio on the first floor of The von Liebig Art Center from February 1st to March 1st. Works featured embody all-media artwork by current members of the Naples Art Association. A changing panel of qualified jurors, with notable art backgrounds, volunteer to select the works for each exhibit as well as those pieces winning awards.

Diamonds: The Naples Art Association’s Collection celebrates 60 years of the NAA . Artwork from the collection will be on display in the round galleries and lobby. The collection of mid to late 20th century paintings, sculpture, works on paper, photography and mixed media documents represents the legacy of artists who were influential in establishing Naples as a vital art community. The Naples Art Association now holds almost 200 works of American art created after 1950. This exhibition features many newly acquired works and some of the Collection’s perennial favorites.

On January 7th there is an ArtConnects lecture and discussion with Carmelo Blandino called Creativity is Natural. The lecture will be at the von Liebig Art Center. Join Carmelo at this intimate question and answer evening where the discussion will delve deep into the world of the artist and their inspirations. Covering topics such as beauty in art, meditation and what practicing creativity and spirituality really means.

On February 1st, three fantastic events will be happening in and around the von Liebig Art Center. First, there will be a community celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Naples Art Association. Come help the NAA celebrate sixty years of support from, and dedicated service to, the community. Nuts About von Liebig, a free event for the family and open to all that features crafts, music and more, will occur alongside our 60th anniversary celebration. Finally, the Naples Art Association is happy to host Bark in the Park. On February 1st, The von Liebig Art Center and surrounding areas will be a very exciting destination for artists, art supporters, families, and even puppies. Helen Noble will discuss her inspirations for creativity and how photography, the culinary, and writing became the recipe for her novel 25,000 SEE DS on February 4th at The von Liebig Art Center as part of the ongoing Naples Art Association lecture series ART Connects.

Helen is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur. She is immediate past President of Classic Chamber Concerts and the 5th Avenue Chamber Orchestra. Helen is a year round resident of Naples. Each ART Connects lecture brings to light interesting topics to keep the art conversation going. Lecturers are well-respected professionals in the art world and beyond.

Finally, save the date! Come celebrate with Naples Art Association, 60 years of history, education and impact the NAA provides to the residents and guests of Collier County. Our annual Naples National Art Festival Gala will be held February 20, 2014 at the Naples Beach Club. The evening will be a night to remember. Come experience the incredible talent of Juan Diaz as he creates a piece of artwork live during the evening. New this year will be a silent auction as well as a live auction to include a trip to the Amazon. You won’t want to miss this night in the tropics.

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, 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. 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!