Page 30 - LIN-Jan-ForWeb

aples is known for its cultural experiences. With its perfect
weather and gorgeous outdoor spaces, the best way to
experience it is at one of its many outdoor art shows. And,
with a calendar that includes three of the top outdoor art shows in
the country, according to Sunshine Artist magazine, and the area’s
first outdoor art show, the Naples Art Association (NAA) easily
takes the top honor as Southwest Florida’s best outdoor art show
host.
“Outdoor art shows are important to the NAA because they
support our mission of increasing and broadening opportunities
for everyone - no matter their physical abilities or socioeconomic
background - to experience the visual arts in Southwest Florida,”
said Aimee Schlehr, NAA CEO/executive director. “We have the
support of the City of Naples and downtown businesses because our
shows add to the overall ambiance of our community and uphold
Naples’ reputation of being the cultural center of Southwest Florida.”
But, the NAA doesn’t just rest on its successes. It is constantly
looking for ways to improve its time-honored art shows. Take, for
instance, the Naples National Art Show, which will take place on
February 23 and 24 in Cambier Park and 8th Street South. Now
in its 39th year, the show had become overgrown. Artists were
frustrated because attendees weren’t seeing their work because of the
sheer size of the show and attendees were exhausted from walking it.
Making everything bigger and better is a national trend, but it wasn’t
what our artist and show attendees wanted.

30 Life in Naples | January 2019