Artis–Naples is the very heart and soul of the vibrant, thriving Naples art scene. As home to the Naples Philharmonic orchestra and The Baker Museum of art, it encompasses both the performance and visual arts. Each winter season, it hosts a number of popular entertainment series that include Broadway plays, dancing, jazz, orchestra concerts and top-of-the-charts entertainers from December through May.
This year’s Broadway series features Guys and Dolls, Chicago, The Book of Mormon and Pippin. Eight monthly All That Jazz concerts include Jason Marsalis, Wycliffe Gordon and other jazz greats in the Daniels Pavilion, named for Myra Daniels.
Daniels founded the complex, which was originally known as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. "The Phil,” as it was known, first opened in 1989 and was renamed a couple of years ago.
The Naples Philharmonic orchestra, just one of many performances you can expect at Artis–Naples — Photo courtesy of Artis–Naples
The Naples Philharmonic orchestra continues to perform for chamber, pops and masterworks series and other special events. This year’s dance series presents the Miami Ballet troupe in concert with the Naples Philharmonic, for instance.
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and the Russian National Ballet Theatre, performing Swan Lake, will also take the stage.
The diversity of other special presentations and shows this season includes Jerry Seinfeld, The Beach Boys, Handel’s Messiah, Vanessa Williams, wildlife celebrity Jack Hanna, the legendary Second City comedians, Garrison Keillor and Paul Anka.
The Daniels Pavilion is an intimate 283-seat black box theater. The main Hayes Hall seats 1,425 guests.
Meanwhile, the main Artis building exhibits art along with The Baker Museum, just across the courtyard. The museums rotate their permanent collections, including a Chihuly ceiling and two chandeliers from this modern American master as well as two monumental sculptures by Louise Nevelson.
The Artis–Naples campus also hosts traveling exhibitions. This season’s headliners include Florida contemporary artists, Rene Magritte and the Belgian Surrealists, masterpieces from Paris’ Ecole des Beaux-Arts and the street photography of Weegee.
In addition, Artis hosts films, discussions and art expert lectures. Family concerts also take place throughout the season.
Artis–Naples nestles within the sprawling Pelican Bay neighborhood. The performance art hall attracts a well-heeled, well-dressed and mature clientele. Many patrons combine a night of culture with pre- or post-dinner at one of the restaurants at nearby Waterside Shops.
Tickets for shows are available by subscription or individual purchase, and they typically sell out quickly. Some of the premium shows, such as Seinfeld and The Beach Boys, offer tickets to subscribers ahead of the general public.
