Art Gallery Row Livens Up Bayfront Place

Feast on five courses of fine art then indulge in an artfully prepared meal at Naples' newest art district. Five art galleries have created their own row at Bayfront Place, a Mediterranean-style retail and residential development overlooking the Gordon River in Old Naples. "We think it's the first time a group of [local] businesses in the same industry relocated to the same place at the same time," says Roger Weatherburn Baker, who owns Weatherburn Gallery. "Usually a district starts with one or two, then eventually evolves as more move in."

All five opened their doors within a short time last winter, drawn by the center's combination of ample parking, tony restaurants and retail shops with well-heeled patrons already frequenting the area.

Each gallery has its own specialty: the Weatherburn Gallery exhibits paintings and other works by artists from around the world; Galerie Azur specializes in Mediterranean art; Arte Direct shows contemporary and abstract works; Murano of Naples focuses on art glass; and Gallery on Fifth offers a variety of paintings, lithographs, bronze sculpture and art glass.

The galleries share the retail space with restaurants such as Roy's, Stoney's Steakhouse and Lisbon Nights, and Weatherburn says there is room for at least a couple more galleries.

The businesses plan to coordinate shows so art lovers can make an evening of it by taking in a number of exhibits and a meal. "Fine art and fine dining go together like fine food and wine," he says.

Gallery Row at Bayfront Place, U.S. 41 and Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples. Gallery hours vary, but some remain open until about 8 p.m. Thursday

through Saturday.