Artis—Naples begins work on its $150 million 'future forward' campus

Beginning Monday, traffic passing by Artis—Naples will see a new landscape. It's the first harbinger of changes, both architectural and organizationally, as the arts complex begins a massive program seeking $150 million for upgrades, expansion, artistic initiatives and endowment.

The first two changes are underway now: 

• Re-figuring The Baker Museum to expand its social areas while it is being repaired from Hurricane Irma damage. That includes removing its multi-story half-dome event space to provide more space for other uses.
• The introduction of the position of co-cncertmaster for the Naples Philharmonic. An endowment by Artis—Naples supporters Connie and Bob Eaton, announced this week, will fund the post.

What people will see immediately is the movement of several of the venue's iconic sculptures: The gleaming stainless steel FM/6’ Walking Jackman, will be moved Monday out of the spot from which it has been the signature for the Hayes Hall entrance for decades.

Right now, the administration hasn't decided where it will go next, but it is part of an outdoor collection that will be juggled as the organization develops what is meant to be a $150 million expansion and remodeling of the 29-year-old facility under what it calls its "Future—Forward Campaign for Cultural Excellence."

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Millar's post broadens orchestra leadership

What people won't see immediately is the decision to create the position of co-concertmaster. When the orchestra begins its season in September, Emerson Millar will be in that seat.

Millar (pronounced mill-ARE) is only 23 yet already an experienced concertmaster, working in rotations as concertmaster for programs with the New World Symphony, the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra and the Debut Chamber Orchestra of the Young Musicians Foundation. She performed as the assistant concertmaster of the Aspen Festival Orchestra for the summer of 2015  as a recipient of its New Horizons fellowship.

The concertmaster's work — apart from tuning the orchestra and performing solo violin moments inside concert works — is largely invisible to the public. But the results are obvious visually and audially. Long before the performance, he or she, with the conductor, sets the bowing and string position — which is why the orchestra's musicians' bows rise and fall in harmony — as well as vibrato, note-hold lengths and other details.

The concertmaster also collaborates with principals in the other string sections to keep that bowing consistent throughout the orchestra, and communicates orchestral needs to the conductor. The concertmaster may also represent the orchestra in the community. 

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Coming to the Naples Philharmonic, where Millar is probably the youngest of the full-time musicians, will be a little daunting, she admits.

"But I have always worked with people slightly older than me," she said. "I was always the youngest kid in every band.

"Musically, I feel confident because we're all going for the same thing, and that's what I'm going to focus on."

Millar, a graduate of the Juilliard Pre-College school, moved to Los Angeles to study with Robert Lipsett at the Colburn School of Music, where she graduated. She brings a special enthusiasm for chamber works to her position, taking advantage of opportunities to play with renowned specialists. She's performed one of the Brahms sextets with violist Roberto Diaz, president and CEO of the Curtis Institute of Music, and the Ginastera String Quartet with Miró Quartet cofounder Daniel Ching.

"His knowledge of the work was so incredible, and our learning curve was so fast," she recalled of Ching.

Millar's arrival won't change the orchestra's current leadership. Glenn Basham, who has been with the orchestra for 25 years, is still concertmaster. Artis—Naples officials said he preferred not to comment for this article, to allow the focus to be on Millar. They also said Andrey Boreyko, music director, would not be available, because of his current work in Europe, despite Daily News offers to call him there. 

But the rationale is simple, according to Kathleen van Bergen, CEO and president of Artis—Naples.

"As Andrey has stated from his first year as music director, he is focused on growth. And specifically he's been focused on growth in leadership positions," she said. 

"I think his philosophy is, the more we can hire in titled positions, it attracts attention when an international audition is posted," she said.

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The co-concertmaster position is more common in Europe, she acknowledged. It may change the look of some concerts. When Basham, who is also in the "All That Jazz" series and chamber music concerts, has other responsibilities, he may not be at the concert, and Millar may be similarly gone from some concerts.

But they'll get to headline together in at least one concert coming up: Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" is on the schedule, van Bergen said: "We'll have four rock star violinists for it. You'll see both Emerson and Glenn playing."

Museum work underway by August

By that time, the western side of the campus at 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. will be thoroughly under construction, she is hoping. 

"I imagine by the month of August there will be some very visible changes to the museum. The whole month of June is focused on decommissioning The Baker Museum, not only art but materials supplies — everything has to be removed."

The internal work has already started. Ashley Mirakian, vice president of marketing and patron engagement, said a team from the operations of artist Dale Chihuly had already removed its Persian ceiling and Blue Icicle for storage.

"That's more than 800 pieces of glass," she observed.

But finding space for the 10-foot-tall Trova sculpture may take more work. Fortunately, the other sculpture that will need to move, Manalo Valdés' La Dama, a cubist-coiffed metal piece at the northwest corner of the museum, has found a home: The Pelican Bay Foundation has offered to allow the sculpture to move to its park area across the street from Artis—Naples, Mirakian said. 

"So it will still be visible. We're very grateful to them."

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