Page 18 - LIN_February 2025_web-file

The Love, Blooms and Magic on 5 th

by Lois Bolin, Ph.D., Old Naples Historian
ebruary is the bridge that connects On June 15, 1954, the world of visual art graced this little bend
the promises of the past with the in the road when local artists Grace Lake, George Rogers and Elsie
F hopes of the year ahead. It is a time Upham founded the Naples Art Association (NAA), a not-for-profit
to celebrate love in all its forms, whether it’s visual arts organization.
the love between partners, friends, family or When art instruction was not available to local students in 1957,
community. the NAA members volunteered their expertise until the public
February is a time to let go, really let go, of school’s program was established.
the old and create space for new beginnings Blooming Art
unless you are a history lover and revel in the ‘magic in this place Naples then was not a town for fads or social climbers because
we call home’. there was really no place to climb and there was wealth, but rarely
Home is not just where we live; it’s where we belong, where the ostentatiousness kind. There were no fabulous charity balls,
our soul finds solace in the earnest embrace from our town’s jet setters, polo matches, roaring motorcycle escorts for movie
streets and memories. Moving into the new year requires me celebrities, art auctions or galleries.
to look back whether it’s through my archives or memories. Fast forwarding to 2025, it’s so nice to see that Naples, quiet
Actually, it’s more like when I move Christmas decorations from elegance still holds true, while her theaters, artists, and galleries are
the attic and then back again, I bump into old friends (archives) wonderfully abundant.
that require me to show my respect by sitting a spell to reminisce To glimpse this fabulousness, one needs only to stroll west in
about back then. downtown Old Naples and its byways starting at “four corners”-
Back Then home of the ‘one traffic light’. But first, let’s look at two groups that
While scanning my archives I came across a 1965 article from serve this fabulousness.
Palm Beach Life, called “NAPLES… PIZZAZ without JAZZ” NAA: For over 70 years, the Naples Art Institute has served
written by the iconic, local historian, Doris Reynolds. Naples, artists and the community by gathering established and aspiring
back then, was a retreat, a colony, for winter visitors who loved artists, patrons, and individuals to explore their creativity.
fishing, hunting, solitude, and imbibing the local spirits. 585 Park St., Naples, FL 34102 | NaplesArt.org
th
Around the same time, the Saturday Evening Post wrote United Arts Council: While the UAC is nine blocks off 5
about this land as if was the last outpost of civilization (it kind Avenue South, it’s a must-visit to get the scope of the land for
of was) surrounded by the mystifying Everglades populated by Naples 75+ galleries. 500+ artists & entertainers, and 59 nonprofit
bootleggers (there were a few), town characters (even more), and arts groups and cultural destinations.
th
non-conformists (a lot). 935 4 Ave. N. Naples, FL 34102
Even Florida Trend wrote in a 1959 article asking, “why On the Avenue there are numerous galleries beginning with
would people want to come to this ‘nothing to do in’ little town”? Shaw Gallery of Fine Art; Native Visions Gallery; and Silver Eagle
This, of course, was said by people who did not live here, and as Gallery.
th
such could not appreciate all there was to do in this ‘little bend My fav on 5 is Gallery One, one of Naples' most unique galleries
in the road’ paradise. They never experienced the joy of counting co-owned by one of the best humans I know, Samantha Bloom.
how many times the only traffic light in town came on and went 65 Fifth Ave. South, Naples, FL 34102
off while lying underneath that electric wonder nor did they ever Since February is a time to celebrate love in all its forms,
feel the lactic loaded thigh burn caused by double time peddling shared between partners, friends, family or community, stop by
on a beat-up Schwinn bicycle, trying to outrun that pesky bob Gallery One and say ‘hey’ to Samantha and you too may
th
cat from 5 Avenue S. to Combs Fish House. experience a bit of the magic in this place we call home.
Of course, they did not consider this ‘nothing to do in’ town
had fabulous beaches for fishing, sunbathing, and imbibing
(notice I have said this twice).

18 www.LifeInNaples.net
18