Historically, artists have been the first catalysts in down times, the first to emerge with their commentary and visions of the world around them. No matter the genre: visual, performing or literary, artists do not fear the repercussion of their work. Today is no different. In fact, today is a sublime time for artists to emerge and help salvage the carnage, of the many skeleton towns, brought on by the ongoing economic state.

On September 30^th, 1991 after the dot com bust, a panel of experts from the art world gathered at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, CA, to discuss ‘the definition of art and the role of art in a changing society’. Panelists were asked to debate the role of art in society and several interesting cases were made:

“Art is usually a criticism of the world as it is and a vision of the world as it might be,” said Stephen Weil, deputy director of the Smithsonian Institution's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C.

“There is no meaning, either in art or in society, without participation,” said stage director Peter Sellars.  "What sparks engagement is something that speaks to you personally...The purpose of art is to find a way to wake people up who are going through their lives sleepwalking and say: 'Stop it. You can't walk past this. This is your life.'”

Sellers went on to say, "The artist's job is not to reject the society, but to engage it."

Let’s relate this commentary to today’s economy and the current state of many cities, for example, Detroit and Flint, Michigan and as far away as the UK and Argentina (where the economy fell for different reasons in 2002). And perhaps one place, some wouldn’t expect: Naples, Florida. Yes, in postcard perfect, somewhat superficial, Naples, Florida—therein lies—an underbelly of creative energy that is bursting at the seams. An art scene so real and so prolific it has taken a current from the nearby Gulf of Mexico and is having a ripple effect on this ‘sleepy when it’s not season’ community.

The collaborative consists of young, creative, passionate types who, over the past couple of years, have been networking, collaborating and supporting each other’s efforts as a troop supports its front. And though many of them work independently within their specific medium, there is no denying they are becoming a tour de force. For anyone who knows an artist they may have the insight into their worlds and habits: when times are rough, artists create. And create is just what this cast and crew is doing in hopes of bringing this slumping burg, back to life.

But in order to understand the importance of this movement, let’s digress:

When the economic down turn began, as early as 2006, one region in particular was hit hard, heavy and fast: the Naples metro. Naples was one of the most quietly affluent communities in the U.S. In a December 6^th 2006, New York Times article, Naples was pointed out as being the most “over-inflated metropolitan market in the country”. But the decline of real estate in Naples began about mid-2006, with home sales dipping as early as May.

What happened next: a crash and burn felt the world over.

Naples circa 2009: struggling yet surviving and trying to make a come back. Foreclosures are rampant. The unemployment rate in Naples as of September 1st: 12.1%, well above the national average and felt across all fields from retail to building to banking and hospitality. The arts are also suffering with many organizations seeing a decline in donations and attendance to events and fundraisers.

Naples, compared to other cities in Florida, is relatively ‘young’ (founded in the 1880s thought not very populated until the mid 20^th century). Naples was one of those towns that, for years, rode the wave of too much excess, in too many ways. It is a place where you will find a plethora of retail, restaurants and golf. There are a few art organizations that have planted root and grown over the past fifteen [plus] years, but most establishments cater to the over 60 crowd, often forgetting about the people who actually live here and focusing on the snow birds and tourists who bring lots of money and extra time, come Winter.

Hence the importance of what is happening in Naples right now. These artists live here, year-round. They are the past, present and future of this region, not just Naples and Collier County, but Southwest Florida as a whole. Why? Because without this forward movement this town may not make it and the county entities are finally getting this and is gearing up to make changes; changes that coincide with that is going on, outside of the public eye.

Naples has not been a place many young people desire to live—it lacks affordable housing, stimulation and jobs. In the past 10 years two universities have been built within a 40-mile radius of Collier County; Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in Lee County and Ave Maria University, in Collier County. (Incidentally, the University founded it’s own town, called Ave Maria.) Thus, finally giving the surging youth population the option to go to college close to home instead of going North, East or out of state.

Now more than ever, the county is seeing its young adult population grow. But the region and the opportunities are slow to play catch up.

The significance of the ever growing, 18-35 demographic is as important as the fact that Collier County is a melting pot of world culture yet has little culture, and this is one factor in what drives the creative class away.

Traci Schulz, a 30 year-old Dancer/Choreographer and Pilates instructor has been living in Naples on and off for ten years. She began her extended stays after her family relocated from the Chicago suburbs. She has lived in Naples steadily for the past year and a half. Schulz, who is trained in every form of dance imaginable, really loves being near her family and enjoys the weather. She is currently teaching dance at several locations in town and teaching Pilates at her mother’s studio, Pilates Plus, in nearby Bonita Springs. But, she confides, she is getting antsy to leave again.

Schulz explains, “It is hard for me to be in Naples for creative reasons; I feel a bit suffocated and stagnant and usually end up leaving. I feel that the environment in Naples doesn’t appreciate individuality.” She has tried to actually tone herself (her look) down. She is often seen in head to toe hip-hop/house garb while teaching her class but has grown uncomfortable trying to be herself in public.

Schulz says she would like to stay in Naples and see if she can make something more happen because she is here now and has a core group of wonderful, creative friends. She is also breaking into music video choreography, auditioning for dance companies, in nearby Ft. Myers, and also working with local commercial producers. She is always searching for other creative types to possibly collaborate with and bring some life into this cookie cutter town.

Schulz is a perfect example of the types of individuals who have come together to pump some culture and life to the area, but are also eager for further movement.

The Economic Development Council of Collier County (EDC) recognizes the need to not only find unique ways to fill empty storefronts but the need to attract individuals in the creative class. So much so, they began Project Innovation. According to EDC representative, Beth Skotzke, the goal of Project Innovation: “Action to Power our Local Economy. Project Innovation has two but critical goals: To create a shared vision and action plan for a strong and innovative economy, using the power of the entire community; and to Stimulate Innovation among businesses, schools, government and the community.”

But do the powers that preside believe that the arts play an integral part in revamping the local economy and community as a whole? “Yes,” expressed Skotzke, “according to Dr. Richard Florida who was our guest speaker at the Project Innovation event in May, 2009 “It Pays to Be Creative”, he notes from his research that only 20% (actually a little less), is part of the creative class and the creative economy in Collier County, which is below the national norm of 30%. Through Project Innovation we are striving to increase our creative class to build technology, artistic, and creative industries.”

Skotzke continued, “The first goal...to create a shared vision is just that, the need to get as many people and organizations in the community involved in this process so they have a buy in and have an attachment with the outcomes and so they feel a sense of belonging to the community. The second goal (Stimulate Innovation) is creativity and basically getting people to understand that we cannot continue to do things as we had in the past, we need innovation and creativity to move forward and to remain competitive in a World Class Environment. In the long term it is very important to the future of Collier County to be a World Class Community.”

2008 brought a new player onto the Naples radar with the opening of Six Degrees Exhibitions in the heart of the city. Six Degrees Exhibitions is a space that owner, Daniel Linehan, hopes will continue to be a sort of epicenter for all things art, in Naples. Linehan, who actually resides in Ft. Myers to the north, has only lived in the area for a couple of years but, explains, “I was motivated to open Six Degrees because I saw the mixing of film, music and art in other cities as multi-dimensional and thought that Naples could use an injection of this kind.”

Though getting the necessary permits to run the space the way he envisioned it was, he says, full of obstacles. “Quite honestly there were many obstacles and preconceptions of our attempt to organize Six Degrees. I believe that a mindset that we were doing something "out of the box" had many not understanding what we were trying to accomplish. The combination of art, film, music and wine and beer had not come up before and City Council moved cautiously in giving us approval. Eventually we persevered although I respect that City Council wanted to make an informed decision looking at the totality of the situation. We are really open to any event that will elevate Naples in art and cultural arena. We will actually be holding a cage fighting event and a funeral soon (only kidding).”

But he states, “The artists in Naples are truly appreciative of our gallery and the fact that we make a big effort to show local talent...due to the economy, some big name artists and galleries have closed up shop (Jonathan Greene, Jamali and AIG to name a few). Like the economy, the shelf life of artists also goes in cycles so maybe they will reappear or not. I see a major opportunity to redefine the art community in Naples as one that is willing to change with the times especially in this viral world.”

Through his own network, Linehan was introduced to Eric Raddatz, a local filmmaker and creative in the publishing industry. These two plus another local creative, Rowan Samuel, came together and the ideas started to fly. The fruit of their loin: The Naples International Film Festival (NIFF). And in a little over a year, the festival has taken full shape and will be presented in November 2009. Together the three of them tapped their circles and brought together a group of talent to pull the festival together.

Six Degrees Exhibitions became not only the NIFF headquarters but also the gathering place for film screenings, fundraisers and more. “Partnering with NIFF was a great success. Our Thursday night screenings were always sold out and the interaction between the crowd and the celebrity judges was awesome,” offered Linehan, who is a Co-Founder and acting Executive Coordinator of NIFF

(Unfortunately, Six Degrees is not currently open to the public as Linehan is overwhelmed with working on the film festival and seeking a new home for the establishment. But he stated he anticipates reopening by December 2009.)

The festival itself will be held at the brand new, Silverspot Cinema which opened recently at Mercato in North Naples, a new mixed use development anchored by Whole Foods and Books-A-Million and containing many restaurants and retail stores.

Eric Raddatz, the 38-year-old Executive Director of and mastermind behind NIFF, is a huge proponent of the arts in general. He explains his motivation in creating NIFF and keeping the momentum going, “The insatiable satisfaction I have in vitalizing the local arts community. People may complain there is no culture [here], well get off your ass and create some. You don’t need to move to a big city to find those who are culture oriented. They have been coming out of the woodwork since we started this whole thing and now there is, I believe, a very strong culture of art in film here. It is inspiring and fuels my determination. I feel film is the finest way to educate, entertain and inform. Getting even anyone interested in making a difference in this capacity makes it worth it. I love this.”

When asked how supportive or non-supportive the surrounding community has been, Raddatz stated, “Naples has been very supportive. Every business we go to has been offering their support. Funds are low during this recession so everyplace we turn for money we have a tough time with right now, but that’s this economy. Negotiating arrangements with Mercato, Silverspot, The Naples Philharmonic for example have been embraced. Meetings with local businesses offered possibilities of similarly sybmbiotic relationships on various levels. I am very appreciative for all of the support this community has offered. I think Aristotle once said that ‘Art completes what Nature cannot’. We all have a need for culture and this is hitting home with a ton of people here who love the arts. We can be extra proud in this city we now have an international film festival.”

Raddatz and Linehan concur that the time is ripe for cultivating cultural activities in Naples. Both men agree that the under 45 years-old crowd is thirsting for more and that a booming arts scene can equate to a surge in economic and community growth.

Rowan Samuels, NIFF’s Marketing Director and Co-Founder, who has resided in Naples for the past six years added, “This demographic is starving for engaging, positive, exciting activities besides what has been traditionally available living “by the beach”. Many of us have come from major metros where there is a broad spectrum of cultural activities and opportunities available. Our goal at NIFF is to add to the social fabric of Naples by providing for an inclusive cultural experience that will hopefully thrive.”

Samuels, an Advertising professional by day and musician at heart, observed what seems to be a ‘movement towards artistic ventures and more provocative work’ in Naples. “Part of this may be the recession which, in many ways, can be positive because it pushes people to innovate and do things that are “outside of the box”. This tends to be an incredibly positive part of an economic downsizing and is probably why Americans tend to bounce back from economic hardship faster than other nations.”

Ms. Skotzke (EDC) explained, “According to Dr. Florida’s research, with the increase of creative people in the community we will be able to achieve a higher level of economic development. The creative class fosters an open, dynamic, personal and professional environment that will in turn; attract more creative people, as well as businesses and capital to the community.”

This dynamic conclusion is music to the ears of local artists, across all genres. Michelle Tricca, 40, a photographer residing in Naples, has long felt the effects of the minimal resources for creatives in the area such as artist workspace but, she says, “Since the fall of the economy, I think it is becoming an artist friendly atmosphere in the sense that there are a lot of artist studio spaces available and the abundance of warehouse space, this is conducive to affordable rents for artists to pick a nice space to create art, from photography to painting to music to dance.”

Tricca, who is commissioned for her work in wedding, portraiture and commercial photography, paints a picture of what people see as art in Naples and what actually is art in Naples: “There are hidden pockets of talent in Naples/Collier and because numbers of these types are limited, I think word spreads fast about each other. In my experience, there are the 'underground' art scene people who attract each other and it's refreshing whenever I meet someone who relates to my medium (photography) and I find we keep in touch, stick together and collaborate. I have met thru various venues and other friends: dj's, painters, dancers, producers, hair and makeup artists...we all keep in touch and keep each other in mind for future projects.”

“There is also the in-your-face art scene of Naples: the 5th Avenue street art festivals with the more conservative art that is juried and passes a panel of acceptance to be allowed to be shown/sold. That's not my scene, however I know it draws a more mainstream/conservative crowd. I also think mainstream is what attracts [people] because mainstream is what the majority of people are exposed to. My crowd of artistic types are trying to break that mold and bring what we are doing, in all realms of art, to the public, to expose them to something other than painted scenes of the Naples pier.”

Tricca expressed the need for more press coverage and more exposure to underground/indie art rather than the mainstream. She has only shown her own work, locally, a handful of times in the four years she has lived in Naples. She says there seems to be a lack or limitation of individual creative freedom not only as a community but down to the local publications who answer to their advertisers (whom they depend on to stay afloat).

Her work is in demand, as she travels frequently to shoot, and she is actually finding that people are willing to come to Naples, just so she can shoot their weddings and portraits. She says this is possible because her work is not “mainstream” therefore attracting people who truly want a personalized experience.

Tricca is planning another local show; she will be collaborating with a local mixed media artist for a 2010 show in Ft. Myers, FL, which will be a public showing of her more avante garde, photographic imagery.

Schulz, Tricca, Raddatz, Samuels and Linehan are just a few examples of what goes on under the public radar in Naples, FL. They are optimal examples of people who aren’t waiting for the rest of the world to be ready—for the world around them to open it’s eyes—for their eyes are wide-open to the possibilities that exist if you are willing to take a chance. They are the type of people this community needs in order to make a comeback...the question is, is the community ready (and willing) to embrace what these individuals already know? Apparently so...

Over the past six months the buzz in Naples/Collier has been full of creative ventures such as a mixed-use “arts village” in the Bayshore Gateway Triangle (which is under the thumb of the Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency [CRA]) located on the eastside of downtown. This area was once one of the most crime-infested sectors in the county. (This redevelopment project has been underway for many years and is ongoing.)

According to David Jackson, Executive Director at CRA, after an August 11^th, 2009 meeting where those in this community were invited to attend the public is, “totally supportive” of such a project as an arts/cultural venue going in on their street.” (At the time of this interview, there were no conclusive decisions made as proposals for the project were still pending.)

Also, according to an April 2009 article in the Naples Daily News there is a private group who have come together to open a school for the creative and performing arts; the group incidentally received a shock when they were informed that Collier County Public Schools had been working on integrating such a program at a pre-existing school building in within the district, after proposing they and the county work jointly on the school. The fact there is a collective thought that the need exists, is a foot in the right direction.

One great idea is all it takes... One day at a time, one project at a time. It’s not likely that the brand new empty, luxury homes in Naples/Collier County are going to sell for $100 and artists will swoop in to buy them up, but it is very possible that this languid community will find it’s new niche with the burgeoning creative community; many of whom have been living underground for too long. It’s prime time for this beach town to share the sunshine with the new wave of [creative] citizens.

Please click on the embedded links within the article to learn more about the individuals and their projects, as well as Naples and the information gathered for use in this article and information collected for use in the article.

Photo provided by S. Louiso, Michelle Tricca and E. Raddatz