Spring into the Arts this March with Artis—Naples

The coming of spring brings new life and new joys, and there is so much to look forward to in March with Artis—Naples. This month, the Kimberly K. Querrey and Louis A. Simpson Cultural Campus is alive with exciting exhibitions at The Baker Museum, invigorating performances by the Naples Philharmonic and a variety of noteworthy guest artists and a diverse range of compelling Lifelong Learning lectures. And of course, the season-long multidisciplinary celebration of Gershwin continues through March with visual art, musical and dance presentations, educational opportunities and beyond.

Giordano Dance Chicago, Photo by Todd Rosenberg

With the changing of seasons comes a changing of visual arts at The Baker Museum. For the last six months, the first floor of the museum has been filled with the vibrantly colored sculptures of Tamara Kostianovsky: Botanical Revolution. This thought-provoking exhibition closes on April 7, making March the final full month for patrons to walk among the remarkable array of exotic birds, tree stumps, plants and cow carcasses fashioned from repurposed clothing and other textiles.

This month also marks the conclusion of The Art of Food: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, on view through March 10. Ongoing highlights at The Baker Museum include George Gershwin and Modern Art: A Rhapsody in Blue—the first-ever major museum exhibition devoted to the composer’s passion for the visual arts, featuring paintings, sculptures and other works from Gershwin’s collection, on view through June 16. Patrons are invited to gain an even deeper understanding of Gershwin through Gershwin’s Eye, a lecture by exhibition co-curator Olivia Mattis, Ph.D., on March 13. The exhibition takes visitors on a tour through Gershwin’s visual dimension, expanding our understanding of the composer, his music and his impact on modern and contemporary art. Visitors may also enjoy Deep Cuts from the Ahmet Ertegün Collection, featuring remarkable selections of modern art from the collection of the founder and former president of Atlantic Records, and Florida Contemporary 2023-24, the annual exhibition that spotlights a select group of notable visual artists practicing in Florida.

Franz Welser-Möst conducts Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Spring’s equinox also brings a great deal of energy to Hayes Hall as the Naples Philharmonic presents a range of electrifying programs. On March 14-15, Artistic and Music Director Designate Alexander Shelley returns for the final appearances of his designate year with Artis—Naples, presenting a diverse program that opens with George Gershwin’s An American in Paris and concludes with Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite. And from March 26 to March 30, the orchestra welcomes back two Artis—Naples favorites for a high-octane musical showdown titled Frankie Moreno and Tony DeSare: Dueling Pianos. Other Naples Philharmonic highlights in March include the final Sypert Salon chamber music program of the season on March 10 and 12 and two beloved Around Town programs on March 21-22.

March brings with it two orchestral landmarks in the Visiting Orchestras series: the return of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Franz Welser-Möst for two orchestra programs March 5 and 6—along with a selection of free residency activities—and a performance by Academy of St Martin in the Fields with violin virtuoso and Music Director Joshua Bell on March 17. And as if March were not already brimming with enough excitement, Artis—Naples also welcomes jazz dance company Giordano Dance  Chicago for a Gershwin-inspired program that includes a dance set to the familiar melodies of Rhapsody in Blue on March 8, the beloved “little orchestra” Pink Martini featuring China Forbes on March 9 and Broadway’s smash hit musical SIX on tour from March 19 to 24.

FEATURED PHOTO: Naples Philharmonic Masterworks, Jess Gillam. Photo Robin Clewley Photography

Tickets and additional details can be found at ArtisNaples.org