Celebration of the Senses

Greater Naples Leadership Masters class XXII Cultural arts day November 15, 2017 CELEBRATION OF THE SENSES Session Day Materials - Contents A. Goals & Objectives B. Agenda C. Biographies D. Volunteer Opportunities E. Locations & Directions (Please click on a heading to be directed to that section in the document.) Dress Business casual for comfort in air-conditioned rooms and for walking Venues 1st Venue: Naples Art Association at the von Liebig Art Center, 585 Park Street 2nd Venue: Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. Session Leaders Ricki Baker, Pat Frey, Jill Jaffe, Barry Karson Celebration of the Senses A. Goals • To expose GNL Master Class participants to the breadth of Naples’ cultural arts offerings • To reinforce the economic, social, & cultural contributions of the visual & performing arts to the well-being of Collier County & its citizens Objectives • To present a sampling of local artists, arts organizations, & venues • To learn more about the opportunities and challenges facing artists & organizations in a growing, increasingly diverse community • To provide information about the wealth of volunteer opportunities in the cultural arts arena B. Cultural Arts Day Agenda 8:15 Gather at the Naples Art Association, Watson Gallery, 585 Park St., Park in garage at 735 Eighth St. South, across from Cambier Park. Coffee & snacks provided. (See section E for address & directions.) 8:30 Welcome & Introduction Neal Gelfand, Class Chair 8:35 Introduction of Cultural Arts Day Team & Overview of the Day Ricki Baker SEEING Is Believing 8:40 Introduction: How Visual Arts Contribute to the Well-Being of Collier County’s Citizens Pat Frey 8:45 Art in Public Places, Group Interactive Exercise Jill Jaffe 9:00 Panel Discussion • Moderator: Ricki Baker • Aimee Schlehr, Executive Director, Naples Art Association • Cynthia Adams, President, Naples Art District • Laura Burns, Executive Director, United Arts Council 9:35 Q & A 9:45 Comfort Break Return to Watson Gallery for personal belongings. The Masters Class will break into 4 groups to visit 4 distinct studios in the Naples Art Association and observe artists & their work. These artists will explain & demonstrate their individual approaches to artistic projects. 10:00 Introduction to Studio Artists Barry Karson • Paul Arsenault - Oil Painting • Donna Torrance – Pottery • Dennis Goodman – Photography • Micki Ravitz – Jewelry 11:30 Comfort Break 11:40 Drive to Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard. Meet in the Board Room on the 3rd floor of the John Kohan Administration Building on the east side of the Artis-Naples campus. (See section E for address & directions.) In the Very Best TASTE 12:00 Lunch in the Boardroom: Hosted by Artis-Naples 12:40 Introduction: How Visual and Performing Arts Enrich the Lives of Collier County Citizens Jill Jaffe 12:45 Kathleen van Bergen, CEO & President, Artis-Naples: Remarks & Introduction of her Executive Team • David Filner, Vice President, Artistic Operations • Ashley Mirakian, Vice President, Marketing & Patron Engagement • Frank Verpoorten, Director & Chief Curator, The Baker Museum 1:05 Q & A 1:15 Comfort Break & move through Hayes Hall to Figge Conservatory to place personal belongings in the seating area 1:30 Introduction to Docent-Led Tours Jill Jaffe Assemble in the main lobby of Hayes Hall; break into 4 groups. Docents will lead Groups 1 & 2 in a tour of the outdoor sculpture garden and Groups 3 & 4 in a tour of an exhibition in Hayes Hall. 2:00 Groups will switch tours in the main lobby of Hayes Hall. 2:25 Return to Figge Conservatory. A TOUCH of Class 2:30 Introduction: How Drama Engages and Enriches Lives in Collier County Ricki Baker 2:35 Panel Discussion on Theater Arts • Moderator: Harriet Heithaus, Naples Daily News Arts Critic • Kristen Coury, Founder & Producing Artistic Director, Gulfshore Playhouse • Mark Danni, Founder & Artistic Director, TheatreZone • Jessica Walck, Associate Artistic Director, The Naples Players 3:25 Q & A 3:35 Comfort Break & Snacks The SOUND of Music 3:50 Introduction: How Music Uplifts Lives in Collier County Barry Karson 3:55 Musical Performances • Emcee: Jeff Binder, Artistic Associate, Gulfshore Playhouse • Naples Jazz Society • Milana Strezeva and James Gburek, GNL Class XX: Piano Duet • 5th Avenue Barbershop Quartet The Sweet SMELL of Success 4:55 Wrap-up: How Cultural Arts Help Make Naples One of the Best Places in the U.S. to Live Ricki Baker 5:00 Conclusion Neal Gelfand (Back to table of contents) C. Biographies Seeing is Believing Amy Schlehr Executive Director, Naples Art Association A fifth generation Floridian and true arts enthusiast, there is no one more dedicated to promoting the arts and artists of Naples than Aimee Schlehr, executive director of The Naples Art Association (NAA). What started as a part-time consulting job handling the NAA’s accounting, soon blossomed into Schlehr’s true passion. After just a few months, Schlehr was offered full time employment as the organization’s chief financial officer, where she focused her attention on strengthening the NAA’s financial foundation. Recognizing her strong leadership skills and dedication, the NAA’s board of directors quickly promoted her to COO, where she excelled in the day-to-day responsibilities of running a successful art center, planning future programming, and serving as an ambassador to the Naples community. With this in mind, the NAA board officially endorsed Schlehr for her current position in 2012. Since then, she has served as the chief representative and spokesperson for the organization where she engages the area business and community leaders to encourage investment and interest in The Naples Art Association. In addition, she continues to oversee the organization’s financial management and guide the staff and volunteers toward the continual growth of The Naples Art Association. Her vision for the organization remains the same as the day she started: to strengthen the NAA’s roots in the community; to continue supporting and promoting artists; and to inspire new audiences to discover and create art. Schlehr has been the recipient of several awards, including the 2015 Stars in the Arts Award. She is a 2012 Leadership Collier graduate; a 2012 National Association of Professional Women of the Year; and a 2012 Florida Weekly Power Woman. Schlehr serves as marketing committee chairperson and public art co-chair for the 5th Avenue South Business Improvement District; and is on the Public Art Advisory Committee for the City of Naples. Schlehr has served on the boards for Immokalee Housing and Family Services, Seminole Club of Naples, and the FSU Family Connection. She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Leo University and owned her own catering business for 15 years on Florida’s east coast. In her spare time, Schlehr loves travelling, cooking, keeping tabs on the FSU ‘Noles, and spending time with her family. Cynthia Adams President, Naples Art District Cynthia’s first foray into the arts as a career started in 1995 when she left the corporate scene to start painting children's murals in Atlanta. At the beginning of 1997, she and her husband, Steve, moved to Naples seeking a nicer climate, and he secured a job with Allen Systems (now ASG Technologies). Cynthia began working with interior designers, doing faux finishes and mural work. Within a year, she was so busy, (with Steve was helping every weekend) that he quit his job and they have been self-employed, in the arts, ever since! Their faux finishing business was called 'It's Faux Real, Inc.' and they enjoyed a long, successful run working with the top builders and interior design firms in Naples and special projects around the country. Eventually, a stronger creative desire surfaced - they wanted to create art for themselves rather than art based on someone else's vision. Gradually, they gradually transitioned from decorative to fine arts, with a specific emphasis on contemporary abstract. They bought a commercial gallery and studio space on Shirley Street in 2002 and continue to operate from here for production and exhibition. They are part of the original group that formed Underground Wednesday (an art 'walk') 11 years ago, which is thriving today with a membership of approximately 45 studios and galleries and over 100 artists who are represented here. Cynthia has recently become president of the Naples Art District and looks forward to another great season with increased membership and exposure. In addition to painting and serving on the board, the couple travels and exhibits throughout Florida, trips to the Washington, D.C. area to participate in key art festivals. Cynthia teaches at the Naples Senior Center through the United Arts Council, and the couple typically hosts Summer workshops for the girls from PACE. She and Steve have also assumed responsibility for the "Shooting Beauty" program, developed by producer and photographer Courtney Bent who brought this program to The Foundation for the Developmentally Disabled (FDD Naples). The program included two days in the field photographing with Naples special-needs adults. Then followed a week of editing, printing, and framing, as well as a reception and exhibition at the Von Liebig. This program is run in conjunction with the Naples Art Association. Laura Burns Executive Director, United Arts Council of Collier County Laura has been passionate about the arts for her entire life. With a fine arts degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and as a certified decorative finisher, she was afforded the opportunity to work with some of the most elite agencies and patrons in Ohio before pursuing her master’s degree in Arts Administration and Non-Profit Management. This passion has driven Laura to become an advocate. The real catalyst for her was in 2007, when she helped found the Hattie Larlham Creative Arts Program, based in Manuta Ohio, a program is dedicated to freedom of expression for individuals with severe and profound disabilities.

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