Cultural Resources and Activities in SW Florida

Over the past decade, the arts have transformed southwest Florida into one of the state’s most cosmopolitan areas. Audiences delight in our performing arts scene, where talented local actors bring life to Broadway favorites and new plays at intimate community playhouses. Fine arts lovers will enjoy a host of exceptional galleries and studios. The galleries are bursting with brilliant renderings of the picturesque local environment, unique wildlife and breathtaking sunsets. In addition to the natural selections, you’ll find a wide variety of modernism, cubism, impressionism and abstract arts.

The centerpiece of southwest Florida performing arts is Fort Myers’ Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall. For 20 years the venue has played host to the most popular shows and performing artists in the country. Cats, Mama Mia!, The Producers, Movin’ Out. You name it, they’ve had it. And if the show you’re looking for hasn’t played yet, chances are, it will.

In Naples, the Philharmonic Center for the Arts is the premier performing arts hall in Southwest Florida, hosting more than 400 events a year including world-class dance, opera, classical and popular music and Broadway musicals. The Phil features four art galleries and two sculpture gardens. The Collector's Corner offers an outstanding variety of art and rare gifts for sale.


		Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall (239)481-4849 Home of Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. A variety of quality touring productions including Broadway shows, musicals, plays, dance and ballet programs, as well as concerts and other performances by national touring groups.


		Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium Call (239) 275-3435 View Map A trip to the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium offers visitors keen insight on southwest Florida's natural history. Daily educational programs allow visitors an up-close-and-personal view of some of the area’s wildlife, including alligators, crocodiles and snakes. The stars are always in line for an adventure to the only planetarium south of Bradenton and west of Miami.


		Caribbean Gardens: The Zoo in Naples Call the ZooLine at (239) 262-5409 View Map Gulfshore Life recently named Caribbean Gardens "Best Place to Take Kids" in the annual Best of the Gulfshore Awards. A natural path almost one mile in length winds past rare and beautiful animals residing within a 52-acre jungle of exotic plants first planted in 1919 with a fascinating history.


		Collier County Museum Call (239) 774-8476 View Map Learn about mastodons and fierce saber cats, Calusa and Seminole Indians, and the rugged pioneers who settled one of America’s last frontiers at the Collier County Museum. Visitors will enjoy five acres of native gardens, two early Naples cottages, swamp buggies and a logging locomotive.


		Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Call (239) 348-9151 View Map The Corkscrew Swamp is a magnificent natural attraction with cathedral-like cypress forest and abundant resident wildlife. The swamp offers some of the best wildlife and nature viewing and photographic experiences in the world.


		DeBruyne Fine Art (239)262-4551 Impressionist paintings from the 19th century to the present. Hand-turned wood, marble sculpture, bronze & steel sculpture.


		Dexter Gallery (239)262-5446 Showcasing paintings of Naples artist Richard Dexter.


		Eckert Fine Art (239)261-1100 Specializing in Impressionist, modern & contemporary art.


		Edison and Ford Winter Estates Call (239) 334-7419 View Map Edison and Ford Winter Estates was the winter home of world-renowned inventor Thomas Edison. The estate is one of the greatest historic treasures in Lee County. Completed in 1886, the home served this as a winter retreat and work place for the prolific inventor until his death in 1931. Edison’s friend Henry Ford followed shortly thereafter, purchasing the neighboring property in 1915. The inventive genius of Edison and Ford are evident throughout the 17 acres of riverfront estates.


		Fort Myers Historical Museum Call (239) 332-5955 View Map The Southwest Florida Museum of History is dedicated to preservation and interpretation of the history of the Southwest Florida area with emphasis on Fort Myers. Permenant exhibits include tributes to the Paleo, Calusa and Seminole Indians, Spanish explorers and early settlers.


		Gallery One (239)263-0835 Contemporary art with mixed mediums of paintings, sculptures, art class and crafts.


		Harmon/Meek Gallery (239)261-2637 Florida's oldest active privately owned sales gallery. American art from 1920 to present represents 50 major artists ranging in style from abstractionism to realism.


		Imaginarium Hands-On Museum Call (239) 337-3332 View Map Touch a cloud, feel the force of a hurricane, or run through a thunderstorm at Fort Myers’ own Imaginarium. The kids’ museum provides hours of fun and entertainment for the entire family, with more than 60 interactive exhibits, live fish, sharks, turtles, swans, iguanas and animal programs.


		Lady from Haiti (239)649-8607 Haitian folk art as well as world-renowned Haitian painters' works from steel drum sculptures to papier-mache.


		Marine Arts Gallery (239)261-0000 Features new original oil paintings by Richard K. Loud, known for his Nantucket beach & sailing scenes, plus original oils, watercolors & limited edition prints by artist Roy Cross, a member of the Royal Society of Marine arts.


		Naples Museum of Art Call (239) 597-1900 or toll free 800-597-1900 View Map The Naples Museum of art is a reflection of the unique spirit and generosity of southwest Florida. The visual arts center includes a three-story, 30,000-square-foot museum with 15 galleries, a glass dome conservatory, entrance gates by renowned metal artist Albert Paley, spectacular chandeliers and a Persian ceiling by acclaimed glass artist Dale Chihuly, a resource room and the Museum Store.


		Naples Players at Sugden Community Theatre (239) 263-7990 View Map Long running community theatre troupe presents an average of eight productions a year in one of the finest community theatre facilities.


		Palm Cottage Call (239) 261-8164 View Map Palm Cottage is a prime example of a 19th-century south Florida home, built of a cement-like material made of sand and seashells. The historically accurate interior contains the simple furnishings of the period.


		Philharmonic Center for the Arts (239) 597-1111 View Map Home to the Naples Philharmonic, an 85-piece chamber orchestra, The Philharmonic Center Choral. Presents 410 events in two auditoriums, four art galleries and two sculpture gardens.


		Rick Moore Fine Art (239)434-6464 Contemporary paintings, sculpture and fine art glass.


		Shaw Gallery of Naples (239)261-7828 Showcases a wide array of local, national & international artists. Contemporary to traditional. Special exhibits.


		Von Liebig Arts Center (239)262-6517 American art from the 1950's forward. Various exhibitions. Classes, lectures, special exhibits. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm


		Weatherburn Gallery (239)263-8008 Exhibits explore art from different countries in a variety of artistic styles. Shows open with a "meet the artist" reception each Sunday from 5-7 p.m.

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