Naples Illustrated November 2021

From the moment Ashley Dewji walked into The Club Room at Campiello for her photo shoot, I thought, “I want what she’s having!” Her exuberance was captivating, and I can see why people gravitate toward her and why her book club has become such a success. Her desire to stay connected with friends and acquaintances during the pandemic resulted in a nice new group of kindred spirits. Hopefully, we all have words of wisdom that have been instilled upon us from a special person that resonate throughout our lives. Ashley’s father’s numerical wit in teaching the frugality of utilizing the local library is a brilliant way to challenge young minds to make thoughtful decisions. One of my favorites from my dad was, “Make a career out of your hobbies and you…

SWFL CHILDREN’S CHARITIES WHAT: 2021 SWFL Wine & Food Fest WHERE: Dinners held at eight luxury venues throughout the region (and one in Napa Valley) SUPPORTS: The nonprofi’s efforts to build the SWFL Children’s Charities Eye Institute of Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida DETAILS: The virtual festivities were broadcast live and included an entertaining presentation by 2021 Honored Signature Vintner Jean-Charles Boisset. THINK PINEAPPLE FOUNDATION WHAT: Inaugural Freedom Cup Naples WHERE: Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples SUPPORTS: Local hospitality industry employees and their families experiencing financial crisis, as well as specialized training programs for veterans seeking a second career in hospitality. GARTH FRANCIS, VANESSA ROGERS, REAGAN RULE, MARK SCHOENFELT. TIM GIBBONS, AUSTIN SWAN PHOTOGRAPHY…

Masks have been normalized through the pandemic, but the masks on display in a special, one-day exhibit at The Baker Museum at Artis—Naples aren’t the type you see in crowded public spaces. They were created by veterans in Home Base’s Intensive Clinical Program at Massachusetts General?—“strong individuals who served the country with heroism and have faced many struggles, on the battlefield and after they returned home,” says Jason Cooper, assistant development director of Home Base SWFL. The “Inside Your Mask” exhibition will feature a dozen masks made by veterans receiving therapy to overcome post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and physical and emotional wounds from military service. On the first day of the program, participants are asked “to express how they portray themselves to others” on the outward-facing side of the mask and “how…

For the first time, a solo exhibition of original works of artist-activist Keith Haring, who put a new spin on American culture in the 1980s, is coming to Naples. “Keith Haring: Radiant Vision” features lithographs, silkscreens, drawings on paper, and posters—almost 150 works spanning the artist’s brief (10-year) but prolific career. The show, which examines Haring’s evolution through subway drawings and street art, gallery works, his Pop Shop, and commercial projects, will be on display at Naples Art from November 1 through February 6. After leaving Naples, the exhibit will head to Italy. The goal of this exhibition is to introduce a new generation to Haring, who fought for social justice and became an international sensation. Haring died from AIDS-related complications in 1990 at the age of 31. “We are thrilled to…

The Everglades Foundation has teamed up with handbag designer Kent Stetson and National Geographic photographer and foundation board member Mac Stone to create a special Everglades Collection of handbags, debuting this month. Six clutches in the series turn Stone’s sublime images of the landscape, migrating birds, underwater life, an almost-abstract swamp scene, and a toothy gator into unique environmental statements for fashionistas. The clutches, available in two sizes ($149 and $208), are made of coated canvas. Fifty percent of the proceeds from online sales hosted on Stetson’s website (kentstetson.com) will benefit The Everglades Foundation’s mission to restore and protect the Everglades. In December, the handbags will also be available at Bruno on Third Street South in Naples, and more limited-edition pieces will be unveiled in April to honor National Everglades…

Southwest Florida foodies know Rafael J. Feliciano as the restaurant promoter who founded the annual Sizzle SWFL Restaurant Week. Now the gregarious Feliciano has launched Think Pineapple Foundation to support local hospitality industry employees facing financial hardship. It will also offer a security-to-bartender-to-manager training program for veterans seeking a new career. Before the pandemic, Feliciano was serving on eight nonprofit boa ds and committees. As mass layoffs and furloughs upended hard-hit restaurants, bars, resorts, and spas in 2020, it became clear these employees needed support, he says. “All of my hospitality friends were struggling. Big cities have coalitions that step in and help, but we don’t in Florida. COVID lifted the veil on some issues that the industry deals with. If you take hospitality out of Southwest Florida, what do you…