A Hundred Ways of Seeing
One place to belong
In John Godfrey Saxe’s poem, The Blind Men and the Elephant, six blind men touch the same magnificent creature from different angles and perceive six entirely different truths. One encounters a wall, another a spear, another a snake; the others, a tree, a fan and a rope. Each man experiences something the others did not see.
So it is in the Naples Art District, the largest enclave of artists in Naples: If you give a hundred painters, sculptors, photographers and artmakers the same world, no two will interpret it in the same way. Visitors to their galleries and studios will, in turn, pause before different walls or pedestals, moved by one piece over others. While the lure of such an enclave to art-lovers is clear, several member artists share the appeal from their own perspectives.
I
ndividual Studio with Guest Artists
Anthe Capitan-Valais shares her gallery space with emerging artists who work from their home studios, so the studio is her own. "As my inspiration comes from music and dance, I'm able to have dancers performing for me in the studio and in my classes. Currently, I'm breathing life into a selection of my black and white drawings from this year's International Dance Festival."
Transition from a Different Kind of Community
Aylin Uztin's creative career began in television, working as a creative director for major TV networks in news and entertainment. “Moving from graphics and animation to painting may seem like a big shift, but abstracting energy through color and texture isn't so different. The Naples Art District gave me a creative community that made the transition natural.”
The Solo Solution
Painter Wendy Wagner's work focuses on people and the quiet poetry of everyday life. "I chose a private studio and gallery in Artisan's Plaza; a space I could make my own and still have like-minded creatives nearby when I need feedback or want to socialize."
Lone Wolf with Benefits
"Artists are traditionally lone wolves," says Beth Schroeder of the Trillium Gallery and Studios, "but I can emphatically say that working as a community has made my journey easier and infinitely more fun. When our studios fill with visitors, the energy is so stimulating as we connect with locals and travelers from around the globe through a shared love of art."
Gallery-Mate Synchronicity
Carolyn Desch, a metalsmith and sculptural jewelry designer, shares a bright, sophisticated space with painter Janice Lutton. "The synchronicity of my minimal color sterling silver jewelry and Janice’s colorful painting inspires us both and creates an inviting atmosphere."
Diversity within Shared Space
Photographer Andre Spatz, pastelist Lynn Fishbach Miller, and watercolorist Jane Huggins created Art2Amaze to provide shared walls and private studios plus event space for a diverse group of artists, from master level professionals to emerging artists in media from photography, watercolor, acrylics and pastels to jewelry, clay and fabric. "We also can host meetings and cocktail parties," says Miller, "and even sit-down receptions in an artful setting."
The Husband/Wife Connection
Painter Valerie Blauvelt and woodworker Don Blauvelt opened their cozy studio, Gallierie B, after many years of participating in art shows and festivals together. "Having shared over 50 years together and bouncing ideas off each other," Don says, "we knew it would work."
Arturo Samaniego and Barbara Samaniego have separate galleries one plaza apart.
"Arturo's paintings inspire me every day," Barbara says. "We enjoy popping in and out of each other's studios."
When the District Comes Alive
The Naples Art District hosts workshops, classes, and open studios all year. In Season, the enclave vibrates with unique artistic happenings such as Artful Arrangements: original artworks reimagined in floral designs (January), Palette to Palate: a culinary evening pairing artists with local chefs (February), and the festive signature event, Arty Party in April.
Sara Wilson, who has cobalt blue and purple hair and describes her studio, Clay More Ceramics, as "7,500 square feet of crazy," sums it up: "Collaboration between artists and community engagement are vital to our community!"
Portraits of Memory
On November 15, Portraits of Memory opens at the Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center in partnership with the Naples Art District. Ten member artists chose Holocaust survivors to honor with individual portraits. For expressionist painter Misoon Whang of Joel Shapses Sculpture Studio & Gallery, it became deeply personal.
“Painting living Holocaust survivors has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. As a Korean artist, I carry this responsibility with gratitude, honoring human resilience across cultures. One survivor I painted volunteered with the 8th Army during the Korean War. His life is woven into history in ways that continue to shape my own. Were it not for people like him, I wouldn't be here today.
“These portraits are acts of remembrance, respect and love—a lasting tribute to survival, sacrifice and the enduring human spirit.”
The exhibit, including audio recordings of the survivors’ stories, will remain on
view through mid-December.
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