Inspiring People: Local artist creates to motivate change

A local artist wants his art to inspire you to take action.

Gulfshore Life Magazine just named Naples artist Paul Arsenault one of its Men of the Year, partly because of his role as an activist.

During our 2018 water crisis, Arsenault went from painting to helping raise money for groups like the Calusa Waterkeeper, which lists algae as one of its top priorities. Today, he’s focused on something called the “Rights of Nature,” which legally protects ecosystems.

His true activism started long before, at the first botanical garden in our area, the Naples Zoo.

“I said ‘Oh, I see the jacaranda is blooming, I have to come and paint reflecting in the pond,’ and the directors said ‘You better hurry up, because it will be filled in and there’s nothing you can do about it,'” Arsenault said.

He says he’s dedicating his life to honor our “paradise” now and for future generations. Arsenault just closed an exhibit at the Naples Botanical Garden, but you can still view the pieces at his gallery. In February 2021, he’ll have a new exhibition called “Shorelines” at the Captiva Civic Association.