Artful Arrangements to return

Published on December 01, 2025

Artful Arrangements to return: A fusion of fine art and floral creativity

Local artists and floral designers collaborate to create immersive art experiences

NAPLES, Fla. (Dec. 1, 2025) – The Naples Art District has announced some of the artist and florist pairings for this year’s Artful Arrangements, the District’s annual signature event where fine art is reinterpreted through the beauty of floral design. From Jan. 16-18, 2026, in Naples, Florida, visitors will experience an extraordinary collaboration between local artists and floral designers as original artworks are translated into stunning floral installations throughout artist studios.

“Artful Arrangements is a celebration of creativity in its purest form,” said Paula Brody, president of the Naples Art District. “By pairing original artwork with floral design, we invite the community to experience art in a fresh, unexpected way. This event reflects the Naples Art District’s mission to inspire, connect and showcase the incredible talent that thrives here in Southwest Florida.”

This year’s artist and florist pairings will include:

Arturo Samaniego (Large oil abstracts) with his wife Barbara Samaniego of Focus Floral
Michael Monroe (Painter) with Katy Rodriquez of Driftwood
Andre Spatz (photographer) with Michael Longo
Phil Costello (wood sculptor) with Margy Metzler (Ikebana)
Karen Culver (alcohol inks) with Kay Sweet (Ikebana)
Barbara Groenteman (watercolors) with Jill Chamberlain (Naples Garden Club)
Sandee Mahler(acrylics) with Arlene Cluff (Naples Garden Club)

“It’s always fun to hear what the floral designer sees in your work as inspiration,” said Sandee Mahler, one of the artists participating this year. “Both are expressions of creativity and outlets for the creative. I personally love when they add other elements to the arrangement other than florals and it makes a unique statement enhancing the display with artwork.”

Highlights for the event include:

Three-day exhibition, featuring flower arrangements inspired by works in various mediums, including painting, fiber and glass, ceramics, jewelry and more.
Special Preview Event: "Harmony in Flowers: Discovering the Art of Ikebana" at 11 a.m. on Jan. 16 at Inspirations Art & Design Gallery (5450 B Shirley St.). Experience a live demonstration by Master Ikebana Sensei Margy Metzler and explore the elegance of Japanese floral design. Pre-registration is required.

General admission tickets for the event will be $20 and are available online or at the door. VIP Experience tickets, which include exclusive access to the Ikebana preview show in addition to Artful Arrangements, will cost $50 and must be purchased in advance.

To purchase tickets, please visit: naplesartdistrict.com/event/artful-arrangements-original-artwork-re-imagined-in-floral-designs. For more information about the Naples Art District, visit NaplesArtDistrict.com or call 239-249-1977.

About Naples Art District

The Naples Art District is the largest concentration of art galleries and studios in SWFL with over 100 artists in 50+ galleries located in a ½ square mile industrial area of Naples, located north of Pine Ridge Road and west of Airport-Pulling Road. Founded in 2006, the art district has blossomed into a vibrant network of 100 independent painters, ceramicists, sculptors, jewelers, photographers, fiber artists, glass makers and wood artisans. In 2016, the Naples Art District became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. In 2020, Collier County recognized the Naples Art District as a County “Cultural Arts District,” with the high concentration of artist studios offering a unique destination for cultural tourism. The Naples Art District offers self-guided tours, open studios, art classes, workshops and events. To learn more, visit NaplesArtDistrict.com or call 239-249-1977.

Media Contacts:

Holly Boldrin, APR, CPRC, Priority Marketing, Holly@PriorityMarketing.com, 239-267-2638 or 239-887-9335 (cell)

Brian Grossman, Priority Marketing, Brian@PriorityMarketing.com, 239-267-2638 or 704-609-5406 (cell)