Artistic Expressions

No matter where you look, Naples’ cultural treasures bloom and glow.

By Chelle Koster Walton

With myriad galleries, a robust performing arts scene, a worldclass art museum and festivals that celebrate everything from local artists to international film, Naples culturally blossoms under its near-constant sunshine. Each season brings new delights to the city’s marquee, as venues reimagine their offerings and elevate the seasonal calendar with fresh-off-the-vine shows and exhibitions.

Making headlines this year, Sugden Community Theatre, home to The Naples Players, has launched a $15 million project to improve and expand its Fifth Avenue South home of 23 years, along with its programming.

More seating will help welcome additional guests, and the added space will also support the group’s education mission. Meanwhile, the 2022 season brings headliners, like Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband and Mary Poppins, to the stage.

Another iconic downtown theater, Gulfshore Playhouse, also has a bright future with its new 56,000-square-foot cultural campus opening in 2023. It will be located a few blocks to the north, part of the Naples Design District.

Closer to the Naples Grande Beach Resort, Artis–Naples commands the local arts scene with its roster of performing arts destinations and the highly regarded Baker Museum. Devoted to modern American art and featuring noteworthy traveling exhibits regularly, the Baker reopened in 2021 after a full renovation, complete with a new rooftop terrace and stunning courtyard sculptures, including Dale Chihuly’s Red Reeds — a gift bequeathed by local philanthropists for the institution’s 20th anniversary.

Its main hall, home to the Naples Philharmonic and Miami City Ballet, hosts a five-show Broadway series each year. Highlights of 2022 include Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations and My Fair Lady. Opera, jazz, film and more, Artis–Naples brings it all to the local cultural experience. Its highly anticipated Naples International Film Festival takes place every October. The four-day celebration of the genre features film debuts, filmmaker appearances and gala events.

The Bonita Springs Centers for the Arts, too, has a diversified agenda of artful offerings spread over two campuses devoted to visual and performing arts. In the latter category, visitors can expect to see improv and film, with a mission to educate and engage the community. What began as a weekly film “Devoted to modern American art and featuring noteworthy traveling exhibits regularly, the Baker reopened in 2021 after a full renovation.”

Film festivals are just the beginning of an arts events schedule that spans every medium. The United Arts Council of Collier County dedicates the entire month of November to celebrating across the county with free concerts and festivities.

At street level, Downtown Naples keeps it lively with art and crafts shows. From November through April, Naples Artcrafters Fine Art & Craft Shows fill Cambier Park each month with the work of talented local artists.

Early January ushers in a weekend of free juried fine works during the Naples New Year’s Art Show, which takes place along Fifth Avenue South. One weekend in March, the downtown shopping district hosts the Naples Downtown Art Show, which highlights the work of fine artists representing 17 different media. Yearround, Fifth Avenue South and intersecting Third Street South present a convergence of fine art galleries that carry works from art glass and African sculpture to contemporary American art and European masterpieces.

In addition to all the event-related artistry, keep an eye out for special art exhibitions at local museums, including the Collier Museum at Government Center and Naples Depot Museum. These thematic exhibitions are a reflection of local history, arts and culture.

Culture is embedded in Naples’ DNA and has been since its seaside first beckoned patrons of the arts to its shores. To this day, the creative and cultural scenes shine brightly thanks to the support of art lovers who have ensured that, though Naples is a small town, it boasts BIG culture.