Naples National Art Festival this weekend

The 29th annual Naples National Art Festival will be held Feb. 23 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Cambier Park in downtown Naples and will feature 300 artists from 40 states and Canada. This flagship Naples Art Association event brings 35,000 guests downtown to see and purchase the fine art, fine crafts, paintings, oils, watercolors, acrylics, prints, lithographs, photography, sculpture, pottery, glass, jewelry and other original works in this high quality juried art show. Many of the artists are returning favorites, but there are also dozens of artists who are participating in their first Naples National.

In addition to the works shown at the festival, most of the artists accept commissions, and many are available in the days after the festival to visit people's homes to see the size and decorating style of a room or patio. Festival judges will review the artists' work on Saturday, and the art association will announce the 20 winners, including Best of Show, Best in 2 Dimension and Best in 3 Dimension, on Sunday morning.

The nationally-recognized Naples National is known as a premiere collecting opportunity for local homeowners and businesses to acquire artwork from

COURTESY PHOTO Gulf Coast High School student Michele Passafuime's oil painting "Smears." She and a classmate will be sharing a booth at the 29th Annual Naples National Art Festival, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23 and 24, from 10 am to 5 pm in Cambier Park in downtown Naples. established artists and to discover developing and emerging artists who are new to the Naples art scene. For example, two seniors at Gulf Coast High School will be sharing a booth in their first art festival as the Developing Artists. Michele Passafuime is bringing 15-20 of her oil paintings and says "I really like some of my things, so it will be interesting to see who might want them." Katherine Kocses paints with watercolor and acrylics and also creates clay sculptures. "I like to show normal things in an abstract way and make abstract things normal," she said of her work. Kocses plans to bring about 12 paintings and 20 sculptures, including a series of human figures depicting pregnant women.

In addition, Debbie Henderson is the festival's Emerging Artist. Although Henderson was known as an oil painter focused on florals, three years ago she switched mediums and now creates strictly abstracts in mixed media. Henderson is embracing the change.

"Someone commissioned me to do an abstract, and I hadn't done one since art school," she said. "But once I transitioned to it, everything started coming from inside me. Rather than painting a floral based on a photograph of flowers, now I'm amazed at what happens when I start with a color and it develops without any rules. I'm really excited about working with more texture."

Food vendors and entertainment will be provided. A suggested donation of $3 benefits education programs at the art center.

For more information, call (239) 262-6517 x109.

If you go

>>What: 29th Annual Naples National Art Festival

>>Where: Cambier Park in downtown Naples

>>When: Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23 and 24 from 10 am to 5 pm

>>Cost: Suggested donation $3

>>Info: Call (239) 262-6517 x109