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Naples Art

Enriching our community through the visual arts since 1954.

Our Mission

Our Mission is to enlighten, engage, educate, and enrich the community and to build on Naples Art’s history and position of leadership as a hub of visual arts in Southwest Florida.

Our Vision

We believe art can change lives and improve entire communities. Through our unique and engaging programs, classes, exhibitions, and events, Naples Art enhances communitywide appreciation for and understanding of the visual arts and supports artists of all ages and aspirations.

Aimee Schlehr
CEO/Executive Director
Non-voting member

Board of Directors

Ricki Baker
President

Joe Coleman
Board Member

Lorraine Kostyra
Secretary

Ashlynn Reeder
Treasurer

Don DeMichele
Board Member

Valerie Ghoussaini
Board Member

Jane Graham
Board Member

Ben Machielse
Board Member

Bob Walpole
Immediate Past President

Linda Pennimen
Board Member

Bob Ravitz

Board Member

1954

Over 60 years ago, E.George Rogers, Elsie Upham and Grace Lake founded Naples Art 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 our largest fund raiser and is rated among the top 10 art festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine.

1990's

In 1992, Naples Art 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, Naples Art 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, Naples Art’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

Merlin Lickhalter

Interim Executive Director

Maureen Roberts

Outdoor Shows Manager

239.262.6517 x103

Lynn Borzumato

Adult Education Manager

239.262.6517 x110

Doug Olsen

Creative Director

239-404-7869

Rich Cacace

Events Manager

239.262.6517

Mattia Giaccio

Accounting Manager

239.262.6517

2018-2019 Annual Report

INSIDE THESE WALLS

Art is intuitive. Art speaks. Art gives us a voice. Art expands our creative connections. Art matters. You know and understand the power of art. For 65 years you have supported, created, and built a home to ensure everyone has access to high quality art opportunities. What started in 1954 with a group of artists who wanted to share their love and passion for the visual arts, has developed into a community gathering place where art comes alive, is approachable, and is always changing.

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