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Ballet Veteran

Takes Helm of

United Arts Council

by Jeff Lytle Naples native with international ballet my business side to succeed. All
dancing and management experience organizations operate within
A is the new executive director at limitations, and it takes passion
the United Arts Council, which promotes, and creativity to stretch them and
coordinates and plans ahead for culture in strengthen operations. I want so
Collier County. much to share the moving power
Elysia Dawn brings degrees from of the arts with as many people as
Columbia University in arts, business and possible, and I do have experience
management. She danced and worked there with stretching and strengthening
as well as with companies in New York, Montreal and Boston. both physically and figuratively.
Dawn’s resume also includes fundraising and arranging events for Q: The local arts scene today
the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence, the Metropolitan seems so dynamic, with multiple
Museum of Art, and GAMMIL (Hebrew for waves) in New York. theater projects planned or under
She moved back to Naples to work remotely and be closer to way. How will they blend with the
family, including parents Jeff and Lucy Fridkin, when the UAC various smaller arts groups and individual artists who vie for
post opened up. She answered questions for Life in Naples. public support?
Q: Before going to New York, did you train or dance in the A: That’s an important question that lies in many hands and
Naples area? one that I hope spurs conversations which UAC can facilitate. We
A: I did indeed! I trained with several different teachers who aim to help all our arts organizations, groups, and individuals be
wonderfully nurtured my love of dance during my formative years well-supported regardless of size. They are all valuable as part of a
including Debi Clementi, Ana Kaiser and Robert and Barbro healthy and dynamic arts environment. As we’re reaching out to
Roland. I also had the incredible opportunity to perform at the organizations, groups and individuals we are affiliated with, we
Artis—Naples for what I believe was its first dance performance. also encourage those we aren’t connected with yet to reach out to
It was with Miami City Ballet which, at the time, would include us and see how we might be able to help them, as well.
local children in performances of The Nutcracker. Some years Q: Is Naples an arts destination yet?
later, I danced the lead children’s role of Marie and the founding A: It is and growing into its potential to become even more of
artistic director, Edward Villella, came to find and speak with me one. The more the arts are funded, the more they’ll flourish.
backstage. Our conversation led to my family and I thinking of Q: In the past, local arts groups could collide rather than
ballet as a real career path, which then led to my dancing in New collaborate on issues. Can you offer ideas for better relationships
York and around the world before getting to come back home. and complementing efforts?
Q: Your resume is so broad and varied in the performance as A: I envision UAC serving as the heart of the arts in Collier
well as the business sectors of the arts. How will that prepare you County. Art is crucial to culture and infuses inspiration into
for the challenges of the UAC post? community, which is all part of one interdependent body. It is a
A: One of the biggest challenges is finding the balance of goal of mine to find ways in which UAC can be a uniting thread
making the biggest impact on the arts within the organization’s throughout our arts community. I believe UAC is uniquely
abilities. I’m grateful to positioned to do so and I aim to develop mutually beneficial
have had the invaluable collaborations and partnerships among people and organizations
opportunity to live the from all arts disciplines, which can positively impact our Collier
life of an artist before community at large. I’d like to hear from our local groups as to how
discovering my interest in we might best serve them and find creative ways to work together
the business of the arts. toward our common goal of serving the arts and our community.
I think it’s my deep love I expect we will find many exciting ways to keep suffusing life
of the arts that drives into our arts and creating more opportunities and growth for all
involved.
60 Life in Naples | January 2023