NAPLES.- The Naples Art Association will host the 28th annual Naples National Art Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on February 24 and 25 in Cambier Park in downtown Naples. Two hundred seventy-five artists from more than 35 states and four countries will display and sell their fine art, fine crafts, prints, lithographs, photography, sculpture, glass, jewelry and other original works. This high quality juried art show in 2005 was voted the 11th Best Art Festival in the Country. The Naples National is known as a premiere collecting opportunity for local homeowners and businesses to acquire artwork from established artists and to discover emerging artists who are new to the Naples art scene.

Two featured artists are being highlighted. Natalie Salminen was born and raised in Minnesota. After receiving her bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and traveling – including five months in Ecuador – she moved to the Big Cypress National Preserve. She works as an assistant to noted Everglades photographer Clyde Butcher while also painting and tending her bromeliad garden. Lara Moore of Indiana operates the Bella Bella Arts studio she founded while a student at Indiana University. She began creating patterned paper bowls which were featured in the exclusive Plummer- McCutcheon catalogue produced by Hammacher- Schlemmer. Today her extensive line of tables, mirrors and other furniture is sold nationwide in stores and during Moore’s participation in art festivals. This is the first appearance for both artists at the Naples National Art Festival.