East West Fine Art - Women in Business

Leeza Arkhangelskaya
5 hours ago
2 min read

A Mother–Daughter Story of Vision and Resilience

"Working twelve-hour days, seven days a week, she grew the gallery into one of Florida’s most beloved art destinations.”

The engaging, art-savvy duo of Olga and her daughter, Leeza Arkhangelskaya—owners of East West Fine Art—are celebrating the gallery’s 25th anniversary. Now located in the Vanderbilt Galleria Shoppes, they continue their mission of bringing soulful, professional, and uplifting artwork to Naples.

Before making Naples their home, Olga and Leeza endured a challenging journey—one they never imagined would lead to the creation of one of Southwest Florida’s most prominent fine art galleries.

In 1994, fleeing post-Soviet turbulence and violence in Moscow, they arrived in Virginia with just two suitcases and determination. Soon after, tragedy struck when Olga’s husband and Leeza’s father passed away suddenly while still in Russia. Alone in a foreign country as a young widow with a child, Olga faced immense hardship yet remained resolute in pursuing the American dream.

Olga earned master’s degrees in international economics from Harvard University and Georgetown University. While living in Washington, D.C., she worked at the World Bank and pursued her passion for the arts, earning a diploma in fine art history from George Washington University.

When her World Bank contract ended in 1999, Olga chose a new path. Rather than pursuing prestige or financial gain, she felt a calling to align her life with her values—sharing the beauty, history, and positive spirit of art with her community.

In 2000, Olga moved to Naples with her 15-year-old daughter and founded East West Fine Art. Working twelve-hour days, seven days a week, she grew the gallery into one of Florida’s most beloved art destinations.

Leeza graduated from Community School of Naples and earned degrees from the University of Geneva and American University in Washington, D.C. Though she initially pursued international development, her lifelong love of art drew her back. In 2012, Leeza joined Olga as co-owner, continuing their shared vision of art as a force for beauty, culture, and connection.