Sculptor Joel Shapses Announces Art Gallery Makeover

Celebrated sculptor Joel Shapses announces a bold transformation of his eponymous art gallery and sculpture garden in the Naples Art District will take place over the summer months. The newly reimagined space, home to three dynamic artists — each contributing their creative voice to a vibrant new artistic hub - will be restructured into equal sections to make room for: 

In addition to the interior transformation, Shapses will expand his footprint across the street, adding a separate space adjacent to his current studio to house his large-scale and monumental sculptures. This new area’s 20-foot ceilings will allow him to explore more ambitious works and host special exhibitions of his “big and tall” creations, giving visitors a glimpse at the breadth of his artistic scale. 

“As an artist, I thrive on evolution,” says Shapses. “The gallery makeover is more than just about aesthetic updates. It’s a transformation that will enhance how art is experienced, how the space functions together for three unique artistic voices under one roof and makes room to grow my large-format work.” 

Gallery walls will be repainted in a neutral white gray to unify the space visually and keep the focus on the art. Overhead LED track lighting with adjustable heads allows Shapses to precisely control lighting to the materials of each artist (ceramics, paintings, sculpture). The gallery’s open-concept layout will include rotating platforms, pedestals, niches, and recessed shelving to help to organize and create an immersive viewer experience. By integrating active working studios within the gallery, Shapses offers transparency into the creative process, allowing visitors to observe artists at work. 

The revamped gallery is scheduled to open to the public in mid-October with special events and open studio hours to follow.