October 5–10 at COCO Art Gallery • Naples
New initiative combines exhibitions, artist education, youth creativity and community engagement
Arte Viva! Five-Year Celebration Reception • Wednesday, October 14 • 5–7 p.m.
NAPLES, FL – September 14, 2026 — The Art Council of Southwest Florida is launching a new Artist-in-Residence Education Series, beginning this October with nationally recognized artist Micah Goguen at COCO Art Gallery in Naples.
The new series establishes a continuing tradition for the Art Council: bringing accomplished artists into Southwest Florida not only to exhibit their work, but to teach, engage with the community, inspire emerging artists and create meaningful educational experiences.
Goguen’s inaugural residency will take place October 5–10, featuring an exhibition of his work along with classes, demonstrations and opportunities for artists and the public to learn directly from him.
The complete schedule of Micah Goguen’s programs and classes is available through COCO Art Gallery:
View the full Micah Goguen schedule and register online
A New Art Council Tradition: Exhibit. Teach. Inspire. Connect.
The Artist-in-Residence Education Series is designed to become an ongoing Art Council tradition, creating a platform where nationally and regionally recognized artists can bring their knowledge and creative practices directly into the community.
Each residency can combine an exhibition with workshops, demonstrations, youth education, artist conversations and community events—creating an experience that extends beyond the gallery walls.
Micah Goguen is the inaugural artist in this new series.
The initiative also expands the Art Council’s commitment to art education by creating opportunities for artists of different generations and experience levels to learn together.
Arte Viva! Celebrates Five Years
The October programming also coincides with the five-year celebration of Arte Viva!, presented by the Art Council of Southwest Florida in partnership with Naples, Marco Island, Everglades — Florida’s Paradise Coast.
As part of the celebration, the Art Council is launching Arte Viva!-themed Youth Creators classes, expanding the organization’s education programming to specifically encourage young people to explore creativity and develop their own artistic voices.
The Youth Creators initiative reflects the Art Council’s broader vision: to connect professional artists, emerging artists and young creators through accessible, inspiring arts education.
Community Invited to Arte Viva! Five-Year Reception
Wednesday, October 14
5:00–7:00 p.m.
COCO Art Gallery • Naples
Free and open to the public
The community is invited to join the Art Council for a special Arte Viva! Five-Year Celebration Reception on Wednesday, October 14, from 5–7 p.m. at COCO Art Gallery.
The reception will celebrate five years of Arte Viva! and the creativity it has brought to Southwest Florida.
A special highlight of the evening will be the announcement of this year’s Arte Viva! poster contest winner through Paradise Coast.
Guests will have the opportunity to meet the winning poster artist, celebrate the accomplishment and experience the connection between art, youth creativity and the broader Southwest Florida community.
Building the Future of Art Education
The Artist-in-Residence Education Series and Youth Creators program represent an important expansion of the Art Council’s role in the community.
Rather than viewing an exhibition as a single event, the Art Council is developing a model in which exhibitions become entry points for education, conversation and participation.
Future Artist-in-Residence programs may include artists working in a variety of disciplines and can be developed in collaboration with galleries, nonprofit organizations, community committees, cultural organizations and other partners.
The goal is to establish a sustainable tradition of bringing art into the community—and bringing the community into the art.
October at a Glance — COCO Art Gallery, Naples • Coastland Center
October 1–31
Shared Exhibit Arte Viva! A Celebration of Five Years of ARTE VIVA!
Micah Goguen Expressive Landscapes Exhibit
October 5–10
Micah Goguen Artist-in-Residence Education Series
COCO Art Gallery, Naples
Exhibition • Classes • Demonstrations • Artist Engagement
October 10
Arte Viva!-Themed Youth Creators Classes
Launching the Art Council’s expanded youth art education programming
Wednesday, October 14 | 5–7 p.m.
Arte Viva! Five-Year Celebration Reception
COCO Art Gallery, Naples
Free and open to the public
Meet Micah Goguen, celebrate five years of Arte Viva!, and meet the 2026 Arte Viva! poster contest winner, announced through Paradise Coast.
About the Art Council of Southwest Florida
The Art Council of Southwest Florida works to expand access to the arts, support artists and create meaningful opportunities for education, creativity and community engagement throughout Southwest Florida.
The new Artist-in-Residence Education Series builds on that mission by connecting professional artists and their creative practices directly with the public, students and the region’s artistic community.
About COCO Art Gallery
COCO Art Gallery in Naples provides a dynamic setting for exhibitions, artist education, workshops and community engagement, creating opportunities for artists and audiences to connect through the visual arts, voted Best of Florida this year.
COCO Art Gallery
Coastland Center — 1756 Tamiami Trail N., Naples, FL 34102
cocoartgallery.com
Media contact: Joanne Crowson, Art Council of Southwest Florida, [email protected]
Love what you're reading?
Get the best of Naples delivered to your inbox every month — local stories, events, and good news worth sharing.
Subscribe for Free
