Spring into the Arts Gala Luncheon to be held at the Naples Grande Beach Resort
Wednesday, March 5, 11:00 am
(NAPLES, August 28, 2024) International Network of Creatives President Dr. Bill Barnett announced notable Naples and Marco Island artist Emily James, as the 2025 Honorary Chair of its second annual Spring into the Arts Gala Luncheon and Fashion Show honoring distinguished women in the arts who have made a significant impact in Southwest Florida.
Spring into the Arts benefits the community arts and outreach programs of the International Network of Creatives, touching underprivileged children and families, and adults battling addictions and mental illness. Juliet Winokur and Marsha Warnike are co-chairs.
About Emily James
Emily James is an internationally recognized painter with deep roots in her native Florida (Pensacola). A Marco Island resident, Emily is an esteemed artist with a gallery on Naples’ Fifth Avenue South and a worldwide reputation. After a trip to Greece, Emily James began painting architectural pieces inspired by her sketches and photographs while touring that country. These watercolors are subtly shaded, intricately detailed, and offset with a refined marbleizing technique. James began drawing at the age of 2; her earliest childhood memory is searching for more paper on which to draw. By the time she finished high school, she had won first place in many state-wide competitions in her native Florida. After receiving her degree, she moved to Atlanta, teaching watercolor techniques and working with individual clients and corporations, creating for specific collections and becoming one of Atlanta’s premier artists. Emily is also in demand as one of the country’s leading commissioned portrait artists.
Emily’s artistic prowess has been acknowledged on a global scale. She is the sole artist in the United States to be chosen by the top three fine art publishers, a testament to the quality and appeal of her work. Two of her creations have also achieved significant commercial success, ranking among the top 50-selling prints worldwide.
An extremely versatile and talented artist, her work includes seascapes, landscapes, florals, abstracts, oil, acrylic, and watercolor, utilizing a medium appropriate to her subject matter. James has had numerous one-woman shows, including one which sold out before the show officially opened. Her work was exhibited at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, and she was previously named an outstanding American woman of the arts. The Collier County Community Foundation also recognized her for her many charitable contributions to the community, such as the Outstanding Young Woman in America in Arts award and the Suncoast Watercolor Society Award.
Emily’s works are included in numerous private and corporate collections, including those of Sheraton Hotels, IBM, RJR/Nabisco, Contel, Bell South, Crown-Pacific in Hong Kong, Hull University, Great Britain, and Hellas Communications, in Athens, Greece.
“We are delighted to have Emily James join us as Honorary Chair of Spring into the Arts 2025,” said International Network of Creatives President Dr. Bill Barnett. “As a distinguished artist in Southwest Florida and worldwide, Emily embodies our passion and drive to bring beauty, hope, healing, and joy to our community through her wonderful works of art. Emily’s many accomplishments in the arts foster a significant legacy for the next generation of creatives.”
Celebrate the Healing Power of the Arts!
Spring into the Arts Gala
Gala guests will enjoy a feast-for-the-eyes-and-palate “arts” dinner; an entertainment array headlined by the Zach Bartholomew Jazz Trio; a Fashion Show featuring the new Spring collection from Kay’s on the Beach; HGTV and Food Network favorite and chocolate sculptor Paul Joachim; high-value silent and live arts auctions with Chris Marchand, auctioneer; emcee Lois Thome, WINK News Anchor; and an art show featuring Emily’s art works. Come and learn about INC’s outreach, hear stories of hope and healing.
For more information, to purchase tickets, or to become a sponsor, go to:
https://incswfl.ticketspice.com/spring-into-the-arts-gala Call (239) 234-2745.
International Network of Creatives (INC)
INC is a 501c3 faith-based nonprofit that inspires and equips artists to disciple the community and world and bring hope to the underserved with healing and nurturing arts programs. Since 2015, INC has touched over 6,000 lives locally in Southwest Florida, and thousands more worldwide.
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