Temporary Exhibits
Naples Depot Museum Presents
Mysteries of Nature—Artwork by Lois Selfon
July 5, 2018 - September 28, 2018
Lois Selfon’s broad vision of nature looks at the real and the abstract possibilities, through micro and macro lenses from the smallest flower petal to the sublime mountains. Lois has been freshly inspired by the sublime plants and mountain ranges in the Smoky Mountains and the striking and resilient beauty of Southwest Florida. Drawing from both areas’ vibrant art communities and her years of study in art, Lois’ vision of nature and her strong spirituality radiate through her work. Her art has been recognized as being in the tradition of the famed transcendental artists of New Mexico who pioneered the concept that spirituality can also be shown in abstract art. “Mysteries of Nature” captures the intensity of the natural world, and Lois’s intimacy with and love of it.
Collier Museum at Government Center Presents
The Lure of Florida Fishing
July 13, 2018 - September 29, 2018
Fishing is one of the largest sports in the world, and Florida offers many chances for locals and tourists to pursue this popular pastime. Florida features one of the longest coastlines in the country and boasts abundant lakes, rivers, and streams. Its waters teem with more than 600 species of fish. In the early twentieth century, sport fishing developed into a major tourist draw and spurred the establishment of fishing clubs and tournaments. Florida’s lure as a sport fishing destination for saltwater and freshwater anglers continues today.
The Lure of Florida Fishing is provided by the Museum of Florida History Traveling Exhibits program. Sponsored by the Friends of the Collier County Museums.
Marco Island Historical Museum Presents
I Remember Marco
June 6, 2018 - October 4, 2018
What’s your Marco Island story? That’s what the Marco Island Historical Museum wants to know! Each person has their own story to tell, but together, these stories shape our community and its identity. I Remember Marco is an interactive exhibit that invites you to share your stories, thoughts, and recollections about Marco Island and its history. Help curate the exhibit through custom social media and photo opportunities, interactive question stations, and memory-inspiring artifacts and images—all while creating entirely new Marco memories.
#MarcoHistory #IRememberMarco #MyMarcoStory #MarcoHerStory
Museum of the Everglades Presents
Abandoned Vehicles of the Everglades
August 4, 2018 - November 2, 2018
Through a series of photographs mainly captured at night, this exhibit explores the interaction between man and nature as seen through environmental portraits of vehicles long abandoned in the Everglades ecosystem. Over the years, these man-made objects have become a part of the cycle of life as flora and fauna grow around and literally through them. These images show a hidden side of the Everglades and speak concurrently to mankind’s attempts to conquer the Everglades. Photographer Matt Stock loves capturing the unique aspects of that vast and important ecosystem at night utilizing a hyper-realistic nighttime technique referred to as “painting with light.”
Past Exhibits
Naples Depot Museum Presents
"Transportation in the Digital Age"
May 3 - July 31, 2017
“Transportation in the Digital Age” features several works depicting transportation from around the world, including lively and colorful renditions of trains, automobiles, planes and other modes of transportation.
Marco Island Historical Museum Presents
"What's Old is Not Forgotten"
June 6 - August 26, 2017
“What’s Old is Not Forgotten” is comprised completely of images captured within Collier County by local photographers. Images include selections of buildings, people, lifestyles and culture, or wildlife/ecosystems.
Marco Island Historical Museum Presents
“Florida Artists Group, Inc. Juried Exhibition"
September 1 - November 28, 2017
“Florida Artists Group, Inc. Juried Exhibition” features Southwest Florida artists whose work has attained national or state-wide recognition. The works included in this particular show range from acrylic paintings, etchings, mixed media to sculptures.
Naples Depot Museum Presents
“Sites & Scenes: Collier County’s Historic Places"
August 3, 2017 - January 27, 2018
Collier County, with its sandy beaches and warm winter weather, is known mainly as a vacation destination. Yet, if one takes the time to truly explore our County, they will find a treasure trove of history. 19th century homes, railroad depot from the roaring 1920s, and an engineering marvel are just some of the sites and properties that have survived the passage of time and the inevitable allure of progress. While not every important site and structure has been preserved, this exhibition will highlight some of our County’s most important historical landmarks, and the stories behind them.
Museum of the Everglades Presents
"A Heart for Alligators - a retrospective of the art of Jürg ‘George’ Furrer"
November 11, 2017 - December 30, 2017
“A Heart for Alligators - a retrospective of the art of Jürg ‘George’ Furrer” celebrates the works of Jürg ‘George’ Furrer, who passed away in 2014. A popular illustrator and syndicated cartoonist in his home country of Switzerland, George was a familiar face in Everglades City for many years, visiting on an annual basis and making many lifelong friendships. George brought his appreciation for the region’s unique flora and fauna home with him, incorporating many of the things he experienced in Everglades City into his art. In 1994, he published a book of cartoons with Everglades themes: “Ein Herz für Alligatoren” (“A Heart for Alligators”) from which this exhibit takes its name. Included in this retrospective is a selection of original prints as well as copies of his books and other objects emblazoned with his distinctive alligator images.
Due to damages from Hurricane Irma, this exhibit has been relocated to Collier Museum at Government Center.
Marco Island Historical Museum Presents
“Coastal Trade: Bounty, Booty, and Boats of the Gulf and Glades from Naples to Key West"
December 1, 2017 - March 2, 2018
This exhibit includes not only paintings that represent the pioneer days of southwest Florida’s maritime trading networks, but folk art, posters, and artifacts that relate to this heritage.
Museum of the Everglades Presents
“Wind Across the Everglades: Celebrating 60 Years"
January 13, 2018 - February 17, 2018
Museum of the Everglades is proud to present a unique dual exhibit: “Wind Across the Everglades – Celebrating 60 Years” in tandem with “Plume Hunting: From the Forefront of Fashion to the Brink of Extinction.” “Wind Across the Everglades” is the dramatic story of Audubon Warden Walt Murdoch, played by Christopher Plummer in his first starring role, fighting to protect endangered birds from a cutthroat gang of plume hunting poachers led by the ruthless “Cottonmouth” - played by a surprisingly sinister Burl Ives. Set in the Everglades and filmed on location in Chokoloskee and Everglades City from November of 1957 to January of 1958, “Wind Across the Everglades” is the first major motion picture to feature a conservation theme. Written and directed by Budd Schulberg (who won an Oscar for his screenplay for “On the Waterfront”), the film features many local landmarks like the Smallwood Store and cameo’s by several familiar faces such as gladesman Totch Brown.
Naples Depot Museum Presents
“Historic Visions"
February 1, 2018 - March 31, 2018
Since 1984, the Thursday Outdoor Painters have spread out across Collier County to preserve history with their paintings. Historic Visions continues this tradition by forever capturing various historic buildings, sites, and landscapes throughout Collier County and Naples in paint.
Collier Museum at Government Center Presents
“Trailblazers: The Perilous Story of the Tamiami Trail"
February 20, 2018 - April 28, 2018
This exhibit will explore the Tamiami Trail’s history, culture, devastating impact on the Everglades and plans to mitigate that extensive damage. This multi-media interactive exhibit will feature photographs, historic documents, artifacts and film. Curated by Jon Ullman, originally presented by the Coral Gables Museum.
Museum of the Everglades Presents
“Seven Model T’s, One Elcar, and a Truck – Trailbazing the Tamiami Trail"
April 2, 2018 - May 31, 2018
“Seven Model T’s, One Elcar, and a Truck – Trailbazing the Tamiami Trail” tells the story of a group of men who drove across the Everglades in their automobiles back in 1923 - before there was a road. Conceived as a publicity stunt to draw public support for the construction of the Tamiami Trail, this group of businessmen and entrepreneurs – largely inexperienced and unequipped – not only succeeded in reaching their intended goal, but ultimately convinced Barron Collier to finance the building of this highway across the state. The exhibit features a collection of images and artifacts that bring this fascinating chapter of South Florida history to life.
Museum of the Everglades Presents
“Plume Hunting: From the Forefront of Fashion to the Brink of Extinction"
January 13, 2018 - February 17, 2018
This exhibit provides the history of the illegal trade on which the story of the film "Wind Across the Everglades is based. At the turn of the last century, the demand for fancy feathers for ladies’ hats was so great that the plumes were worth more than their weight in gold. Legislation slowed the slaughter, but enforcement was difficult in lonely frontier outposts – resulting in the murder of more than one warden. The exhibit features a variety of artifacts on loan to help illustrate the stories, including plume rifles, a high-fashion feathered fan from the period of the plume craze, and even the original monument to warden Guy Bradley – killed by poachers near Flamingo.
Museum of the Everglades Presents
“The Everglades Art of Bob Fink"
February 20, 2018 - April 8, 2018
This exhibit features the work of Robert “Bob” Kendall Fink — best known as the illustrator of Marjory Stoneman Douglas’s conservation treatise The Everglades: River of Grass. The exhibit includes a variety of images from Fink’s career, with an emphasis on his highly stylized Florida landscapes. Of particular interest is an original print created for the book, saved from a studio fire in 1947 and recently restored after being donated to the Museum last year.
Museum of the Everglades Presents
“The Everglades Art of Bob Fink"
February 20, 2018 - April 15, 2018
This exhibit features the work of Robert “Bob” Kendall Fink — best known as the illustrator of Marjory Stoneman Douglas’s conservation treatise The Everglades: River of Grass. The exhibit includes a variety of images from Fink’s career, with an emphasis on his highly stylized Florida landscapes. Of particular interest is an original print created for the book, saved from a studio fire in 1947 and recently restored after being donated to the Museum last year.
Marco Island Historical Museum Presents
“Beneath the Waves and Beyond the Mangrove Trees"
March 6, 2018 - June 2, 2018
Robert “Bob” McConville is a Master Naturalist, writer, photographer, speaker, and member of the Dolphin Survey Team on Marco Island. Since 2011, Bob has been passionate about educating people about our local natural history and highlighting Southwest Florida’s unique environment. This multi-media exhibit features photography from Master Naturalist Bob McConville as well as artwork created by students from the Marco Island Academy. Naturalists will be available on Tuesdays from 2:00 - 3:00 PM to answer questions about local wildlife.