Naples artists, art lovers have a new destination in council new quarters

United Arts Council's staff and board know something about composition. That's why they didn't hesitate to move into a new space on Fourth Avenue North in Naples that's no larger than their former Mission Square headquarters. 

Here, a large, airy display space greetsvisitors. Offices, kitchen, storage and boardroom spaces are more compactly tucked into the rear, a major change from the square-block rooms of the last quarters. 

To celebrate, the organization immediately filled that open space with a two-artist exhibition.

"The reason we moved here is to be responsible to our members and more available to our community," said Laura Burns, executive director. "We want to act as an incubator and creative hub. We want to be — and we are — the resource for the arts in the community."

They mean to wear that resource hat often. Burns said they're planning teaching-member training, workshops for Collier County Public Schools teachers, even professional critiques for young artists. 

Art in other places:Looking a poetry in a Naples museum, art in a boutique

Shutterbugs:Naples Art Association's 'Camera USA' brings snap with crackle and pop

Art in peril:Accidents happen, and Naples galleries and conservators have seen them all

Among the events coming up fast: 

June 28: A workshop for educators and a public talk by Annie Storr: Storr broke ground on the arts as moral compass with her "The Shock of Tradition" paper in the 1990s and has been an analyst of the relationship between art, in all its trends, and culture. Currently, Storr is visiting scholar for the Women's Studies Research Center at Brandeis University. (See information box).

It will precede a public open house and reception 6:30 p.m. for the two member artists whose works are on exhibition, Lynda Fay Braun and Tammra Sigler. 

Aug. 4: "Open notes" and spoken word poetry evening: Kristen Donovan,
community engagement coordinator, is planning a day of live art culminating in an open mic evening. Local poets-in-the-making  can use what they can learn at a workshop from nationally recognized spoken-word Jeanette Hickman.

Hickman is a West Palm Beach creative writer who has become a celebrity in that city as host to two regular shows, the monthly Lyrical Ink, and a bimonthly program, The Utterance. (See information box for details.)

Spoken word is a rising genre of poetry written to be read aloud. It can contain elements of rap, hip-hop, storytelling, theater and music, from performed to background track. There's even an organization, Spoken Word Poetry Foundation, dedicated to it.  Hickman has performed along the East Coast of the U.S. with the Stained Glass Poets tour of spoken word, and has written two books of it.

The evening means to embrace more than poetry. "We want it to be really open to all the arts. There can be poetry, singing, stand-up comedy, live art, even reading an essay," Donovan said. 

In the aftermath of the state budget slashing arts funding by 90 percent, the organization concedes it will be living extremely lean this year; next season is what its worries are focused on. 

"We are going to have to do an additional fundraising campaign to fill the gaps," Burns said. It is planned for March 2019. Fortunately, a board member offered furniture for the space that will allow them to have office furniture that fits into its smaller offices. 

"We're secure through the school year of 2018-2019," she said. "If this is more than a year, we'll have to make some changes."

Public awareness of what the council does, she said, may help bring forward donors to keep its school programs and educator workshops. With two full-time and one part-time employee, it also compiles a monthly events calendar that goes to tourism spots, keeps a directory of member artists for designers and planners and offers resource for artists who are looking for funding or business help.

The new quarters has already begun to work some magic there. It helps to be closer to the center of Naples, and in an area with foot traffic. Asked if she had had any people walk in to become new members or ask for business advice in its first open week, Burns beamed: "Yes, and yes!"

In 2017:They brought $44 million-plus to Collier County, UAC survey says

In 2017:The arts mean big money, big business in SWFL, new study shows

Arts events

All events are at the United Arts Council of Collier County,  953 Fourth Ave. N., Naples.

Annie Storr workshop and talk

Who: Art scholar Annie Storr will present a morning workshop, "Exercises for the Quiet Eye,” offering a guided, reflective process for viewing art. This informal and an evening talk on “The Shock of Tradition: Citizenship, Art and Ethics"

When:  June 28; 10 a.m. for the workshop; teachers' workshop time to be announced; 5:30 p.m. for the talk

Reservations: 239-254-8242

Open house and reception

Who: Staff of the United Arts Council and exhibiting artists Tammra Sigler and Lynda Fay Braun share an artists' reception with an open house for the new facilities

When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. June 28

Admission: RSVP required at 239-254-8242

Open notes, open poetry day

Who/what: Jeanette Hickman, open notes poetry/performance reading authority, will teach a workshop on the craft and an evening open mic event will encourage open notes poets and artists of all types to participate; refreshments will be available

When:  Aug. 4; 10 a.m. for the workshop, 7-9 p.m. for the open mic evening

Admission: Workshop RSVP required at 239-254-8242