Enjoy getting to meet Naples artists Maggie DeMarco, Sandee Mahler (Formerly Sandee Kozlow), and Paula Brody at Venue Naples while you learn about Brazilian cuisine. Preparation of specialty dishes will be demonstrated by Chef Brian Roland, and you will enjoy the tastes and smells of Brazil! This unique evening will feature a special menu that you will eat while getting to observe extraordinary artists at work.

About the Artists:

Maggie DeMarco

Maggie DeMarco has a diverse portfolio ranging from landscape, abstract, still life and reverse painting on glass.  She has studied several years at The Rhode Island School of Design and received a certificate from the Decorative Arts Program.  She has taken many workshops with prestigious artists in the United States and Europe.

Maggie currently resides in Naples, Florida and Narragansett, RI and maintains her own gallery/studio at 5760 Shirley Street, Suite 8, in the Naples Art District, and in her home state of RI.

Her goal is to bring the joy and serenity she achieves in her art to the viewer.

Paula Brody

Dynamic energy and vibrant color are the consistent elements among the diverse styles of Paula Brody’s paintings. Paula’s deep connection to nature’s beauty is the inspiration for her joyous florals and multi-textured abstracts. Her mixed media collages combine acrylics, watercolor, inks, oil pastels, fibers, fabric and found objects. Paula’s unique three-dimensional paper sculptures have won numerous awards in juried shows.

When not in her studio painting, Paula can be found sublimely tending her Cape Cod gardens. “In the summer, my garden becomes my palette and in the winter, my palette becomes my garden,” she notes as she speaks to the wide array of colors combined in her gardens and her abstract florals. Living by the water during summers on the Cape and winters in Naples, Florida, Paula is fascinated by the changing colors, patterns and reflections in water, clouds and sky.

Paula focuses on the joyous process of painting, often letting her exuberant paintings simply emerge from the canvas through the fluid flow of her energy. From her own experience as an artist without formal art training, Paula Brody believes that everyone has artistic talents often hidden within them just waiting for expression. Paula teaches day-long workshops entitled, “Creation and Creativity: Discover Your Own Inner Artist”, offering new artists a playful and experimental way to discover the surprises that emerge from an introduction to various media and techniques.  Paula also teaches Basic Beading and Necklace Design.

Sandee Mahler (Formerly Sandee Kozlow)

Sandee Mahler is an internationally collected artist as well as the owner of “Art Edge Gallery & Studios” since 2018. She has been a self proprietor painting throughout Naples, Fl since 2001. Her love for art compels her to share it with those around her. She believes that it serves more purposes than to merely be looked upon. It opens doors up to healing, understanding, joy, and most of all expression!

At the age of 5 the visual of flower gardens along the walk to and from school captured her attention by the vibrant colors she would see. When she was 10 she discovered paint. It was then that she was able to capture those vibrant colors that prior, only her memory would retain. Sandee is mostly a self taught artist entirely motivated by her natural ability to create.

Her canvas paintings are made with acrylic and mixed media which make interesting textures that are irresistible to the touch. Her work is strictly abstract with periodic representational elements that surprisingly arrive in the process. Sandee’s memory for color gives her an “Edge” on making commissioned paintings and her creativity is inspired by the specific need of each client.

Sandee has been a member of the Naples Art District since 2016. She serves on the board of directors and is a member of the Naples Art Association. She participated on the judging committee for the Naples Womens Art League and donates her time to “Empty Bowls NPO”.

About the Chef:

Brain Roland, Celebrity Chef & Owner of Venue Naples

Chef Brian, born and raised in Princeton, NJ, graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. He is a Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC) through the American Culinary Federaton (ACF) and a member of the Chaine des Rotisseurs. He worked for several well known French chefs, including Daniel Boulud at Restaurant Daniel & Café Boulud, and Patrick Verre at the TPC @ Jasna Polana. He has worked as Executive Chef in top kitchens locally, including Chops City Grill and Cru Lush Wines and Pure Food. Brian consults and collaborates with other chefs and industry professionals, often organizing events and competitions to heighten each professional’s creativity and self-improvement. He has had the opportunity to cook for some well known celebrities including Judge Judy, Brian Boitano, Franc D’Ambrosio, Randy Wayne White, Cliff Williams of AC/DC, Marylin Manson, David “Big Pappi” Ortiz, Joe Bastianich, Tim Love and Paula Deen