Page 32 - January_2016_Life_In_Naples_Magazine

NAPLES ARTNAPLESARTASSOCIATION
A RETROSPECTIVE ON OVER 60 YEARS OF ARTISTIC INNOVATION

A community’s art scene speaks to its community, promoting the value of art education and emphasizing the impact arts
quality of life and creates a foundation have on economic development. To think, it all started with the dream of three artists.
for change and innovation in everything
we do as a society. Here in Southwest Florida,
residents and thousands of tourists recognize
the Naples Art Association (Naples Art) as the
community leader of visual arts and as a cultural
resource. The von Liebig Art Center which
is operated by Naples Art serves as a working
art center where artists and other members of
the community have access to activities and
programs which allow each person to tap into
their inner artist. Thinking about and creating
within the visual arts helps foster creativity,
skills of analysis and other important soft skills.
Creative innovation and problem solving skills
are major factors in personal growth, a robust
education, a versatile work force and a healthy
economic climate. For over 60 years, Naples Art
has been tightly woven into the fabric of this

HUMBLE
BEGINNINGS

The year was 1954. The
population of Naples had just
passed 1,465. But, as small a town
as we were then, we were already
an arts community. Although
The Naples Art Association was
incorporated in 1954 for the
princely sum of $5.80, one of the
seeds that would blossom into
The Naples Art Association was
actually sown years earlier and,
appropriately, by a florist.

Her name was Grace Lake.
George and Grace Lake
arrived in Naples in 1949. George,
a former WWII pilot, started a
flight service out of Naples airport.
Grace began Grace Lake Florist,

GRACE LAKE GEORGE LAKE

32 Life in Naples | January 2016