Naples Art Association Enriching your creative nature for over 60 years. A non-profit organization built and maintained on private support.
Our Mission
is to expand cultural horizons, broaden education and enrich the community through the visual arts.
Our Vision
is to transform the community through inspired arts leadership and continuous creation of a visual arts center that inspires and empowers artists and the general public.
Board of Directors
- Bob WalpolePresident
- John Hushon, ArtnetVice President
- Chris Marrie, HBK CPAs and ConsultantsTreasurer
- Gail Webster, IMA CreativeSecretary
- Ricki Baker
- Linda CummingsRetired, CCPS
- Kaleigh GroverPublisher, Naples Illustrated
- Lorraine Kostyra
- Dave SharpeArtistic Science
-
Aimee SchlehrCEO/Executive Director
Non voting member
History
Now over 60 years old, Naples Art Association is reconnecting with its history, promoting the value of art education and emphasizing the impact the arts have on the economic development of our community.
1954
Over 60 years ago, E.George Rogers, Elsie Upham and Grace Lake founded the Naples Art Association with 34 other artists. They created art, exhibited and taught in and around the community using different venues as their platform to promote the local artist. Many of the members volunteered to teach art in the local schools until the public school’s art program was established in 1954.
1970's
In the 1970s, the group collected funds to restore The Naples Depot. There they built art studio spaces and held the group’s first art exhibition in 1978. The following year, the organization began to offer adult art classes. They continued providing educational programs in that facility until 1998.
1980's
In 1980, their first annual spring art show was held in Cambier Park. As its known now, the Naples National Art Festival has become the association’s largest fund raiser and is rated among the top 10 art festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine.
1990's
In 1992, the Association began meeting with the Naples City Council for a lease agreement to provide 8,000 square feet of public land in Cambier Park to build a community art center. In 1995, leaders signed an agreement and raised $3.5 million through private donations, including one from Suzanne and William von Liebig for whom the art center is named.
1998
On November 22, 1998, the Naples Art Association officially opened The von Liebig Art Center. The 16,000 square foot, two-story facility features six studios, a main exhibition hall, rounds galleries, one of the area’s largest art resource libraries and a gift shop.
Today
Today, the art association’s primary goal is to serve as a working art center where the community can access art education, activities and events for all ages and learn about art through exhibitions and educational outreach. We encourage you to join us by investing in the arts and, in turn, in our community.
Staff
Ray Rosa
Preparator/Art Handler
Ken Andexler
Preparator/Art Handler