Art Festival Calendar

Given COVID-19, no one really knows what to expect from Southwest Florida’s 2020-2021 art fair and festival season. At present, Florida has re-opened all venues, most at full capacity, and organizers are proceeding on the premise that they will be able to produce their outdoor art fairs and festivals as they have in the past. But it would be wise to check back and with each festival to verify dates, accessibility and any requirements they may impose in keeping with Centers for Disease Control, Florida Health Department and local regulations and recommendations for masks, hand sanitizers and social distancing.

April, 2021:

On Friday, April 2, and Saturday, April 3, the historic River District in Downtown Fort Myers hosts Art Walk. The Friday component runs from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., with First Street closed to traffic. The Saturday event is from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Rain or shine, this “must attend event” showcases the works of local artists from nearly a dozen downtown galleries.

On Saturday,  April 3, the final Art in the Park of the season takes place where the season began – in Baker Park on the Gordon River (east of Tamiami Trail where Central Avenue empties into Riverside Drive). Naples’ oldest art fair, Art in the Park features Naples Art Association members showcasing a variety of original paintings, photographs, unique décor, wearables, collectibles and gifts.

On Wednesday, April 7, the more than three dozen galleries and artist studios that comprise the Naples Art District open their doors to the public from 1-6 p.m. Called the 1st Wednesday Studio and Gallery Tour, the event is a unique opportunity to visit some of Southwest Florida’s most interesting galleries and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the studios of more than 60 emerging and mid-career artists working in a broad cross-section of genres and media. Visit www.NaplesArt District.com for more. Look for the magenta and white flags.

On Saturday, April 10, Naples Artcrafters will host an exciting juried fine art and craft show in beautiful Cambier Park in downtown Naples. The event features incredibly diverse and talented local artists who will share paintings, photography, glass art, jewelry and metal work, as well as handcrafted sculptures, basketry, pottery and much more. Both admission and parking are free. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be found behind Starbucks, one block south of Fifth Avenue South. Naples Artcrafters is committed to promoting excellence in arts and crafts and to supporting established artists, craftspersons and students by providing a venue for the display and sale of their work in a beautiful setting.

Crayton Cove’s season-ending Art After Dark takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 10. Five galleries representing some of Naples’ best artists take part in the event, vis: Phil Fisher Gallery, Pure Design, Random Acts of Art, Naples Ships Store and Guess-Fisher Gallery. There is also live music from Michael Colligan & Friends to enjoy. The Galleries of Crayton Cove is a professional artist community in Old Naples on the Bay, all within a one-block walk, where 8th St. S. & 12th Ave. S. meet at the flagpole by the Naples City Docks.

Taking place on April 17 is “Super Saturday” Naples Art District Studio and Gallery Tours. This event features more than 50 artists, who will be showcasing their recent works of art and demonstrating their medium. The Naples Art District is located north of Pine Ridge Road and west of Airport Road. Participating galleries and studios are open from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Just look for the magenta and white flags. Go to www.NaplesArtDistrict.com for directions.

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October, 2020

The Naples Art District will not begin their monthly 1st Wednesday and 3rd Saturday Studio & Gallery Tours until November.

Fort Myers Art Walk will not resume until November.

There will also be no Art After Dark in Crayton Cove in October either.

The Naples Artcrafters Fine Art & Craft Show will return to Cambier Park in November.

The Naples Fine Art Show returns to the Naples Italian-American Club on October 31 and November 1. Up to 100 professional artists will be exhibiting original works of art in the genres of sculpture, paintings, clay, glass, photography, wood, fiber, jewelry and more. Admission is free, but there is a $5 charge for parking (which not only helps pay the costs of producing the event but supports the Institute for the Arts & Education (a non-profit organization that focuses on cultural diversity, community enrichment and fostering youth art education among youth)). Hot Works LLC Director Patty Narozny emphasizes that CDC COVID safety precautions will be in place and strictly enforced, including all booths being set a minimum of six feet apart and social distancing and face coverings being required to protect exhibitors and patrons age 65 and older. The show opens at 10:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. both days. The Naples Italian-American Club is located at 7035 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples, FL 34109 (corner of Orange Blossom Road).

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November, 2020

On Wednesday, November 4, the 1st Wednesday Studio and Gallery Tour returns to the Naples Art District with its full complement of two dozen plus galleries and artist studios for a 4:00-8:00 p.m. drive-and-park event that affords casual, curious art lovers and serious art collectors alike an unparalleled opportunity to not only visit some of Southwest Florida’s most interesting galleries, but immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of the studios of more than 50 professional artists. Just look for the magenta-and-white art flags or go to www.NaplesArtDistrict.com for directions.

On Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7, the historic River District in Downtown Fort Myers hosts Art Walk, now starting its 13th season. The Friday component runs from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., with First Street closed to traffic. The Saturday event is from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Rain or shine, this “must attend event” showcases the works of local artists from nearly a dozen downtown galleries, which include Arts for ACT Gallery (featuring three or more art exhibits every month plus co-op members art); Bootlegger Alley Gallery (outdoor pop-up gallery open only during Art Walk in The Patio de Leon); DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery (located in the Butterfly Estates at 1815 Fowler Street); Grand Illusion Gallery (art, tee shirts and more); Miville Art Gallery (art and photography in the Franklin Shops); the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (main gallery exhibit and Capitol Exhibit on the 3rd Floor); and Unit A (urban contemporary gallery of internationally-acclaimed artist Marcus Jansen located in Gardener’s Park). New exhibits include exceptional art in a variety of mediums done by a bevy of local artists and some national and international artists as well.

On Saturday,  November 7, Art in the Park resumes, but for this month, Baker Park on the Gordon River (east of Tamiami Trail where Central Avenue empties into Riverside Drive) is the venue for this one-day outdoor art fair. Now celebrating 63 years as Naples’ oldest art fair, Art in the Park features Naples Art Association members showcasing a variety of original paintings, photographs, unique décor, wearables, collectibles and gifts.

Saturday, November 14, the Naples Artcrafters Fine Art & Craft Show returns to Cambier Park. The Naples Artcrafters is an established fine art and craft organization with more than 53 years of history in Naples, Florida, and this Saturday art fair places a spotlight on a wide array of artistic genres, styles and media, including paintings (in oils, acrylics and watercolors), drawings (in pen and ink, pencil, and pastels), scissors art, multi-media and collage, photography, ceramics, jewelry (including metalsmithing, metal clays, lapidary and beading), sculpture, pottery, clay, stained glass and fused glass, wood turning and carving, and basket weaving. The show features work by 90 juried artists.

The 10th Annual Coconut Point New Year’s Art Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, November 14 & 15 at Coconut Point Mall in Estero (moved up from December 27 & 28). Variety and diversity are overarching themes at this 2-day Howard Alan outdoor art fair, where there is something for everyone – ranging from $15 handmade silver jewelry to life size sculptures costing in excess of $50,000. Some 200 artists and artisans from 30 different states are expected to participate in this festival, with every medium and genre being represented. artists have been juried by an independent panel of expert judges and hand-selected from hundreds of applicants based on quality and diversity ensuring a variety of original and handmade art with wide appeal.

Art After Dark is an art-walk-type event that typically takes place in Crayton Cove between November and April each season. Tentatively scheduled for Saturday, November 14, Art After Dark gives art enthusiasts and collectors an exceptional opportunity to combine fine art with fine dining alongside picturesque Naples Bay. Participating galleries include Phil Fisher Gallery & Studio, Guess-Fisher Gallery, Tianna Fisher Studio and Random Acts of Art,  who band together from 6:00-9:00 p.m. to present an evening of art receptions, refreshments and live music that serves as a companionable backdrop for viewing the newest works in the Crayton Cove galleries.

The Art & Design Expo takes place in the Naples Art District November 19-22. Artists will be offering live demonstrations and special opportunities to purchase the original artworks created during the Expo. Attendees can also visit neighboring designers and home decor showrooms to discover the latest design trends. Call 239-247-1977 or visit www.NaplesArtDistrict.com for more information.

The Bonita Springs Invitational Art Festival will be held November 21 & 22 at the Promenade at Bonita Springs. Visitors to this Boulderbrook Productions boutique art show will stroll the pathways and sidewalks of the Promenade where dozens of artists from near and far will line the walkways displaying a variety of artworks. With some of the finest retail stores, unique boutiques, high-end salons, and delectable restaurants, The Promenade at Bonita Bay attracts both locals in Southwest Florida and visitors from around the world. This open-air shopping center is a shopping, dining, and entertainment destination!

The Sanibel Masters Art Festival has been a Sanibel Island Thanksgiving weekend tradition for 25 years. It showcases paintings in oil, acrylic and watercolor, drawings and pastels, 2D and 3D mixed media and collages, photography and digital art, woodworking, sculpture, ceramics, glass, handmade Tiffany Style Lamps, fiber art, and jewelry produced by 100 artists and artisans from around the country. The festival is held on the grounds of The Sanibel Community House on Periwinkle Drive, Sanibel’s main street. The Sanibel Community House has been an island fixture since 1927 and touts itself as The Gathering Place on Sanibel Island. But Boulderbrook Productions has a little twist in store for festival-goers. This one takes place on Friday and Saturday, November 27 & 28 so both the artists and the art lovers still have Sunday to enjoy the island, the weather and their purchases and sales.

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December, 2020

On Wednesday, December 2, the 1st Wednesday Studio and Gallery Tour returns to the Naples Art District with its full complement of two dozen plus galleries and artist studios for a 4:00-8:00 p.m. drive-and-park event that affords casual, curious art lovers and serious art collectors alike an unparalleled opportunity to not only visit some of Southwest Florida’s most interesting galleries, but immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of the studios of more than 50 emerging and mid-career artists working in a broad cross-section of genres and media. Just look for the magenta-and-white art flags.

On Friday, December 4, and Saturday, December 5, the historic River District in Downtown Fort Myers hosts Art Walk, now starting its 13th season. The Friday component runs from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., with First Street closed to traffic. The Saturday event is from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Rain or shine, this “must attend event” showcases the works of local artists from nearly a dozen downtown galleries, which include Arts for ACT Gallery (featuring three or more art exhibits every month plus co-op members art); Bootlegger Alley Gallery (outdoor pop-up gallery open only during Art Walk in The Patio de Leon); DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery (located in the Butterfly Estates at 1815 Fowler Street); Grand Illusion Gallery (art, tee shirts and more); Miville Art Gallery (art and photography in the Franklin Shops); the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (main gallery exhibit and Capitol Exhibit on the 3rd Floor); and Unit A (urban contemporary gallery of internationally-acclaimed artist Marcus Jansen located in Gardener’s Park). New exhibits include exceptional art in a variety of mediums done by a bevy of local artists and some national and international artists as well.

On Saturday,  December 5, Art in the Park resumes, but for this month it’s back in Cambier Park. Denoted by its bandshell and tennis courts, Cambier Park is located just a block and a half from historic Fifth Avenue South, and is within walking distance of trendy European boutiques, aromatic sidewalk cafes and exemplary art galleries such as Sheldon Fine Art, Call of Africa’s Native Visions Gallery and Shaw Gallery of Fine Art. The show is also just three minutes by car from more upscale shops, restaurants and bistros and galleries and art stops in the Third Street South Gallery District and Crayton Cove. Now celebrating 63 years as Naples’ oldest art fair, Art in the Park features Naples Art Association members showcasing a variety of original paintings (including oil, acrylic and watercolor), pastels, fiber art, photographs, unique décor, wearables, collectibles and gifts.

On Saturday, December 12, the Naples Artcrafters Fine Art & Craft Show returns to Cambier Park. The Artcrafters have been committed for more than 45 years to promoting excellence in arts and crafts and to supporting established artists, craftspersons and students by providing a venue for the display and sale of their work in a beautiful setting. At their shows, they present a wide array of artistic genres, styles and media, including paintings in oils, acrylics and watercolors, drawings in pen and ink and pencil, pastels, scissors art, multi-media and collage, photography, ceramics, jewelry (including metalsmithing, metal clays, lapidary and beading), sculptures, pottery, clay, stained glass and fused glass, wood turning and carving, basket weaving, and more.

“Super Saturday” Naples Art District Studio & Gallery Tour is Saturday, December 12 from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

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January, 2021:

On Friday, January 1, and Saturday, January 2, the historic River District in Downtown Fort Myers hosts Art Walk, now starting its 13th season. The Friday component runs from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., with First Street closed to traffic. The Saturday event is from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Rain or shine, this “must attend event” showcases the works of local artists from nearly a dozen downtown galleries and Friday night’s festivities culminate with ringing in 2021, which is cause enough for celebration!

The 25th Estero Fine Art Show  comes to JetBlue Park (winter home of the Boston Red Sox) on Saturday, January 2, and Sunday, January 3. Since 2003 Hot Works has earned a national reputation for producing high end fine art and fine craft shows, and the Estero Fine Art Show lands in the top 100 outdoor shows in America every year. All work is original and personally handmade by the 140 quality juried artists who participate in the show. While at the art show, be sure to visit the Youth Art Competition for grades K-8 or ages 5-13 that is integrated within the art show. Students are encouraged to enter his/her original art that is publicly displayed duration of the show; there is $250 in youth art awards as students are exposed to the rules and entrepreneurship opportunity of doing art shows for a living! [Please note that while admission is free, JetBlue Park charges $5 for parking, good for both days with receipt.]

The Naples Art Association‘s 25th annual Naples New Year’s Art Show descends on Naples’ Fifth Avenue South on the weekend of January 2 & 3, 2021. Each year, the artworks on display were valued collectively at more than $15 million. As in years past, every category will be represented, from original oils and acrylics on canvas, panel and galvanized aluminum to watercolors on paper, 2D and 3D mixed media, limited edition prints, photography, digital art, metal sculpture, wood carvings, ceramics, hand-crafted jewelry, leather works and more. Because of its national ranking (Sunshine Artist consistently ranks it in its top 100 in the nation each year, and last year Naples New Year’s came in at #15) and the beautiful weather in southwest Florida during this time of year, the Downtown Naples New Year’s Art Fair draws 250 of the finest artists in the country, which explains why more than 15,000 art enthusiasts routinely turn out for this art fair last year. There’s lots of art for every taste and pocketbook, so bring your credit card or checkbook.

Art in the Park will run alongside the Downtown Naples New Year’s Art Fair on Saturday, January 2. Art in the Park not only features work by Naples Art Association member artists in booths set up in Cambier Park, but art demonstrations by NAA artists plus art projects for the whole family. Art in the Park is not just an add-on to the Downtown Naples New Year’s Art Fair. It is a festival that has stood on its own merits for more than 63 years.

On Wednesday, January 6, the 1st Wednesday Studio and Gallery Tour returns to the Naples Art District with its full complement of two dozen plus galleries and over 50 professional artists for a 1:00-6:00 p.m. drive-and-park event that affords casual, curious art lovers and serious art collectors alike an unparalleled opportunity to visit some of Southwest Florida’s most interesting artist studios and exhibitions. For directions, visit www.NaplesArtDistrict.com or just look for the magenta-and-white art flags.

On Marco Island, the Art League of Marco Island Fine Craft Fair takes place in January this year on Friday, January 8, and Saturday, January 9. This fair is held at 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island, Florida 34145, which is toward the southern end of the island. Now in its 18th year, this craft fair provides browsers and art enthusiasts with some of the region’s best original artwork, including paintings, watercolors, photography and digital art, ceramics, pottery, glass, clothing, jewelry and mixed media work.

On Saturday, January 9 the Naples Artcrafters Fine Art & Craft Show returns to Cambier Park. The Artcrafters have been committed for more than 52 years to promoting excellence in arts and crafts and to supporting established artists, craftspersons and students by providing a venue for the display and sale of their work in a beautiful setting. At their shows, they present a wide array of artistic genres, styles and media, including paintings in oils, acrylics and watercolors, drawings in pen and ink and pencil, pastels, scissors art, multi-media and collage, photography, ceramics, jewelry (including metalsmithing, metal clays, lapidary and beading), sculptures, pottery, clay, stained glass and fused glass, wood turning and carving, basket weaving, and more. The show features work by 90 juried artists.

The Bonita Springs National Art Festival invades Riverside Park on Old 41 in historic downtown Bonita Springs again this year, and its first of three fine art festivals takes place on Saturday, January 9 and Sunday, January 10. In 2011, Bonita Springs National was ranked the #10 art festival in the nation by The Art Fair SourceBook and #11 by Sunshine Artist Magazine, and in 2017 it received a #2 national ranking. This festival stresses quality and originality, with the 211 artists juried into the show from across the United States, Canada, and even Europe exhibiting and selling original paintings, drawings, pastels, photography, handcrafted jewelry, clay works and ceramics, glass art, metal sculpture and more. Riverside Park is located at 10450 Reynolds Street or 27000 Old 41 Road in central Bonita Springs, Florida 34135.

Covid-19 has forced a change in the 36th Annual Cape Coral Festival of the Arts. Last year, more than 120,000 people mobbed the Cape Coral Parkway to take in the art show and associated music festival. But in response to the pandemic, the Rotary Club of Cape Coral is taking this year’s festival, but there will still be plenty to see and do. With live online events concentrated around January 9 & 10, you can enjoy nature and park tours, city activities, and demonstrations by chefs and mixologist. And, of course, art abounds in genres that include fine crafts, woodcrafts, ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry, mixed media, digital drawing, painting, photography, metalworks and sculpture, which you can view here. For more information, please telephone 239-699-7942.

The “Super Saturday” Naples Art District Studio and Gallery Tours is January 16. This event features more than 50 artists, who will be showcasing their recent works of art and demonstrating their medium. The Naples Art District is located north of Pine Ridge Road and west of Airport Road. Participating galleries and studios are open from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Just look for the magenta flags.

Just steps away in Crayton Cove from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 16 is Art After Dark, an Art-Walk-type evening that gives art enthusiasts and collectors an exceptional opportunity to combine fine art with fine dining alongside picturesque Naples Bay. For more information, please telephone 239-403-8393.

Art Fest Naples at Fleischmann Park will be held January 16 & 17 in Naples’ Fleischmann Park, which is located just south of the Coastland Center Mall on Fleischmann Boulevard at Goodlette-Frank Road. Now in its 24th year, the show is consistently ranked in the top 100 shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine. Art Fest Naples takes place along the sidewalks that bisect the park, connecting the tennis courts on the east with the picnic pavilion, playgrounds and one of the baseball/softball fields. Because of the festival’s size and configuration, Art Fest Naples represents an opportunity for artists and collectors to exchange ideas and information while supporting the Additional Needs, Inc., whose mission is to provide a user-friendly and time-saving website with current and comprehensive information of available resources to assist children and adults with additional needs and their families in finding appropriate services. The show runs 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Bonita Springs ArWalk at The Promenade is also January 16 & 17. This is a small event as organizer Boulderbrook Productions only accepts 25 artists for the art fair. Because of the modest number of exhibitors, Boulderbrooks is about to lay out the event so that there is a minimum of eight feet between artist booths. The fair opens at noon and runs until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Because it was unable to obtain a permit, Boulderbrook Production has been forced to postpone the Sanibel SCA Fine Arts Festival, which has been scheduled to take place on Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23 on the  grounds of the Sanibel Community House at 2173 Periwinkle Way.

The Estero Fine Art Show  returns to JetBlue Park (winter home of the Boston Red Sox) on Saturday, January 30, and Sunday, January 31. Since 2003 Hot Works has earned a national reputation for producing high end fine art and fine craft shows, and the Estero Fine Art Show lands in the top 100 outdoor shows in America every year. All work is original and personally handmade by the 70 quality juried artists who participate in the show. While at the art show, be sure to visit the Youth Art Competition for grades K-8 or ages 5-13 that is integrated within the art show. [Please note that while admission is free, JetBlue Park charges $5 for parking, good for both days with receipt.]

The Art Festival at Mercato takes place January 30 & 31. This art festival will be held on the lawn in the middle of Mercato. There will be 40 artists skilled in sculpture, painting, glass, jewelry, mixed media and more. Mercato is a wonderful location for this event. The tree lined plaza and walkways are the perfect setting for an event of this kind. Anchored by Whole Foods Market, Nordstrom Rack and Silverspot Cinema, a 12-screen premier-style theater, Mercato offers 12 notable restaurants, over 20 upscale retailers and luxury residential condominiums.

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February 2021

On Wednesday, February 3, the 1st Wednesday Studio and Gallery Tour returns to the Naples Art District with its full complement of two dozen plus galleries and artist studios for a 1:00-6:00 p.m. drive-and-park event that affords casual, curious art lovers and serious art collectors alike an unparalleled opportunity to not only visit some of Southwest Florida’s most interesting galleries, but immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of the studios of more than 50 emerging and mid-career artists working in a broad cross-section of genres and media. Just look for the magenta-and-white art flags.

On Friday, February 5, and Saturday, February 6, the historic River District in Downtown Fort Myers hosts Art Walk. The Friday component runs from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. and serves to augment the festivities taking place during ArtFest Fort Myers’ VIP preview just steps away on Hendry Street. The Saturday event is from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

ArtFest Fort Myers takes place Saturday and Sunday, February 6 & 7 in  the downtown Fort Myers River District. Fort Myers’ 1.8 acre river basin, the Fort Myers Marina, City Pier Building, newly-renovated Caloosa Sound Convention Center, recently-opened Luminary Hotel and Centennial Park serve as a picturesque backdrop for the tents and booths of the more than 200 artists who have been juried into this year’s festival. As in years past, a wide array of genres and media will be represented in this year’s festival, including works in sculpture, painting, ceramics, photography, printmaking, drawing, digital, mixed media, ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, wearable fiber and wood. And be sure to check out the chalk art competition featuring entries by area high schools. Upwards of 100,000 people visit this premiere outdoor art festival over its 2-day run.

Also running Friday evening through Sunday, February 5-7, is The Art Festival at University Village Shops. This boutique Boulderbrook Productions art festival is held along the promenade that runs through the center of the village and features work in sculpture, painting, glass, jewelry, mixed media and more by 40 accomplished and acclaimed artists from around the country. University Village is conveniently located at Ben Hill Griffin and Estero parkways next to Florida Gulf Coast University.

The Bonita Springs National Art Festival returns on Saturday and Sunday, February 6 & 7 to picturesque Riverside Park and side streets in historic old Bonita Springs on Old 41 for the second of its three fine art festivals. Ranked #2 in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, this festival stresses quality and originality, with the 211 artists juried into the show from across the United States, Canada, and even Europe exhibiting and selling original paintings (in oil, acrylics and watercolors), drawings, pastels, photography, handcrafted jewelry, clay works and ceramics, glass art, metal sculpture and more. Riverside Park is located at 10450 Reynolds Street or 27000 Old 41 Road in central Bonita Springs, Florida 34135.

Down the road on Saturday, February 6 is Naples Art in the Park. This one-day fair showcases paintings in oil and acrylics, watercolors, mixed media, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass art, jewelry and wood-working created by members in good standing of the Naples Art Association. For art lovers, it’s a casual, fun-filled venue for meeting local artists and becoming acquainted with their work. On the flip side, Art in the Park not only gives participating artists the opportunity to show and sell their work, it affords them a terrific platform in which to build rapport with collectors while fostering their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the arts and their own extensive portfolios. One of the special features of this outdoor art fair is its art demonstration booths, where Naples Art members introduce the art community to process, technique and methodology.

Saturday, February 13 is the date for the Naples Artcrafters Fine Art & Craft Show. Naples Artcrafters is committed to promoting excellence in arts and crafts and to supporting established artists, craftspersons and students by providing a venue for the display and sale of their work in a beautiful setting. At this show more than 90 artists will display a wide array of artistic genres, styles and media, including paintings in oils, acrylics, watercolors, drawings in pen and ink and pencil, pastels, scissors art, multi-media and collage, photography, ceramics and pottery, jewelry, metalsmithing, metal clays, lapidary, beading, sculptures, stained glass and fused glass, wood turning and carving, and basket weaving. The show takes place in Cambier Park along 8th Street South, within view of the Band Shell and Cambier’s Quilt, the first public art project at a municipal building under the City of Naples’ public art ordinance.

The 36th Annual Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club Arts and Crafts Fair takes place on Saturday and Sunday, February 13 & 14. This President’s Day weekend classic is held on the lawn of The Sanibel Community House located at 2173 Periwinkle Drive, Sanibel’s main street. The Sanibel Community House has been an island fixture since 1927 and touts itself as The Gathering Place on Sanibel Island. Many festival goers are already on the island, enjoying a break from the snow and ice covering the northern states this time of year. Others visit the island specifically to take in one or both days of the fair. Either way, this Rotary-sponsored classic arts and crafts fair attracts over 10,000 visitors and more than 100 artists and artisans from around the country. The show runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Boulderbrook Productions’ Bonita Springs Fine Arts at The Promenade takes place February 13 & 14. This is a small, boutique art fair that Boulderbrooks’ caps out at 35 artists in order to give patrons an unparalleled opportunity to meet, question and engage the artists about their inspiration and process. The event takes place from noon until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Also taking place on February 13 is “Super Saturday” Naples Art District Studio and Gallery Tours. This event features more than 50 artists, who will be showcasing their recent works of art and demonstrating their medium. The Naples Art District is located north of Pine Ridge Road and west of Airport Road. Participating galleries and studios are open from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Just look for the magenta and white flags. Go to www.NaplesArtDistrict.com for directions.

In the geographical center of Southwest Florida, the 15th Annual Coconut Point Art Festival takes place on the weekend of February 20 & 21. The Coconut Point Mall serves as the site for this outdoor art festival, which features more than 250 artists and artisans from 30 different states. There is something for every artistic taste and sensibility at this festival, which sets up in the parking lot just north of Panera Bread and east of U.S. 41. With 113 stores and 25 restaurants surrounding several acres of lakes and wood boardwalk, Coconut Point Mall offers a unique outdoor shopping experience, but at the art festival, the focus is exclusively on the art and artists.

The 42nd Annual Naples National Art Festival takes place on the weekend of February 20 & 21 in Cambier Park and along 8th Avenue in Naples, just steps away from Naples’ historic Fifth Avenue South. This is the #15 art festival in the United States according to Sunshine Artist Magazine. Because of its national ranking and the beautiful weather in Southwest Florida during this time of year, Naples National draws some of the finest artists in the country. Together, they provide a diverse array of artworks that include original oil and acrylic paintings on canvas, panel and galvanized aluminum, watercolors on paper, 2D and 3D mixed media, limited edition prints, photography, digital art, metal sculpture, wood carvings, ceramics, art jewelry, leather works and more.

The galleries and art studios in the Naples Art District are hosting the Art & Design Expo from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 27. Artists will be offering live demonstrations and special opportunities to visit neighboring designers and home decor showrooms to discover the latest design trends. For more information, visit www.NaplesArtDistrict.com or telephone 239-247-1977.

The Art League of Marco Island Fine Craft Fair also takes place on Marco Island on February 27 & 28. This fair is held at 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island, Florida 34145, which is toward the southern end of the island. Now in its 18th year, this craft fair provides browsers and art enthusiasts with some of the region’s best original artwork, including paintings, watercolors, photography and digital art, ceramics, pottery, glass, clothing, children’s clothing, jewelry and mixed media work.

[N.B.: Last year, the Pine Island Art Association’s annual Art Show and Sale was held at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center and featured the works of more than 100 artists. The show normally takes place in February, but as at October 12, 2020, PIAA has not published the dates or location of this year’s show. So please check back for updates.]

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March, 2021:

On Wednesday, March 3, the three dozen plus galleries and artist studios that comprise the Naples Art District open their doors to the public from 1:00-6:00 p.m. Called 1st Wednesday Studio & Gallery Tour, the event is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the studios of more than 60 emerging and mid-career artists working in a broad cross-section of genres and media. Just look for the magenta and white flags.

On Friday, March 5, and Saturday, March 6, the historic River District in Downtown Fort Myers hosts Art Walk, now in its ninth season. The Friday component runs from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. First Street is closed to traffic during this time and face painting is offered at several locations. The Saturday event is from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Rain or shine, this “must attend event” showcases the works of local artists from over 14 downtown galleries.

On Saturday, March 6, Art in the Park returns to Cambier Park, adjacent to The Naples Art Association. Located just a block from historic Fifth Avenue South, Art in the Park is within walking distance of trendy European boutiques, sidewalk cafes and iconic art galleries such as Sheldon Fine Art, Call of Africa’s Native Visions Gallery and Shaw Gallery of Fine Art. The show is also just three minutes by car from fabled Gallery Row and the Third Street South Gallery District and the Crayton Cove art district. Since 1957, Art in the Park has been showcasing paintings in oil and acrylics, watercolors, mixed media, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass art, jewelry and wood-working created by members in good standing of the Naples Art Association. You can find more information on Southwest Florida’s longest running fine arts and craft fair at http://www.naplesart.org/content/art-park-2011-2012.

The Bonita Springs National Art Festival returns to Riverside Park in Bonita Springs for the final time in 2021 on the weekend of March 6 & 7. Like its January and February editions, this festival places a heavy emphasis on quality and originality, with the more than 200 artists juried into the show from across the United States, Canada, South America and even Europe exhibiting and selling original paintings, drawings, pastels, photography, handcrafted jewelry, clay works and ceramics, glass art, metal sculpture and more. Together with the festivals held in January and March, this show is a major fundraiser for the Center of the Arts of Bonita Springs.

Also taking place on Saturday, March 6, and Sunday, March 7, is the Boca Grande Masters Art Festival. Located on storied Gasparilla Island, Boca Grande is lauded as a step back into “Old World” Florida, a carefully preserved part of Florida’s early history when Edison, Ford, J.P. Morgan, the Vanderbilts, Babe Ruth, Zane Grey and even Al Capone fished Boca Grande Pass. Another of Boulderbrook Productions’ sought-out boutique art festival, Boca Grande Masters is limited to just 40 exceptional artists.

On Thursday, March 11 through Saturday, March 13, the Naples Art District will host its Art & Design Expo. The District’s galleries and art studios will be open from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and attendees will also have the opportunity to visit neighboring designers and home decor showrooms to discover the latest design trends. The event is open to the public, and there is no registration required. For more information, please visit www.NaplesArtDistrict.com.

The Super Saturday Naples Art District Studio and Gallery Tours takes place on Saturday, March 13. This event features more than 50 artists, who will be showcasing their recent works of art and demonstrating their medium. Participating galleries and studios are open from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Look for the magenta and white flags. Go to www.NaplesArtDistrict.com for directions.

The 32nd Annual Naples Downtown Art Show takes place on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21. Last year, 230 artists from around the country were selected for their artistry and craftsmanship to exhibit in this show. Together, they brought an extensive variety of artworks ranging from original oils and acrylics on canvas, panel and galvanized aluminum to watercolors on paper, 2D and 3D mixed media collages, limited edition prints, photography, digital art, metal sculpture, wood carvings, ceramics, hand-crafted jewelry and fashion accessories, leather works, fine furniture and home decor items, and numerous great gift ideas. The fair takes place on Fifth Avenue South, which is cordoned off to vehicular traffic during the two-day show. That helps explain why the artists who responded to the surveys sent out by Sunshine Artist Magazine rated this as the #24 art festival in the country last year. For more information, please visit http://www.naplesart.org/.

March 20 & 21 is also the date for the Peace River National Art Festival. Sponsored by Charlotte County’s nonprofit cultural facility, the Visual Arts Center, this outdoor fine art show takes place in Punta Gorda’s Laishley Park. Limited to 80 artists, the show runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

The Bonita Springs Masters Art Festival will be held at The Promenade in Bonita Bay on Friday and Saturday, March 13 & 14, from noon to 7:00 p.m. each day to encourage shoppers, diners, and those who attend the Farmer’s Market on Saturday to swing by and enjoy some art as well. A boutique show produced by Boulderbrook Productions, this event is capped at 39 artists.

The Sanibel-Captiva Lions Club Arts and Craft Fair was scheduled for Friday & Saturday, March 26 & 27 but has been canceled because Sanibel is not issuing permits for social gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this is the second consecutive cancellation, the organizer is confident that it will be able to bring the show back to Sanibel in 2022.

The 4th Naples Fine Art Show takes place at the Naples Italian-American Club on Saturday and Sunday, March 27 & 28, 2021. Hot Works has earned a national reputation for producing high end fine art and fine craft shows. The show runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. All work is original and the exhibiting artists are present throughout the two-day event and eager to answer questions about their work and inspiration. Live art demonstrations afford numerous opportunities for patrons to witness first-hand the various processes that the artists’ go through and the techniques they employ in order to create high-quality artworks in their chosen medium.

The Art League of Marco Island Fine Craft Fair takes place on the weekend of March 27 & 28. This fair is held at 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island, Florida 34145, which is toward the southern end of the island. This craft fair provides browsers and art enthusiasts with some of the region’s best original artwork, including paintings, watercolors, photography and digital art, ceramics, pottery, glass, clothing, children’s clothing, jewelry and mixed media work.

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