This year, the newly appointed leaders of three legacy visual and performing arts organizations represent a changing era of the arts in Southwest Florida. Longtime leaders at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center and ArtFest Fort Myers handed over the reins to up-and-coming counterparts. The Lee County Alliance for the Arts, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary, also welcomed a new executive director.
All three — Devon Parker, Juan Santiago and Neil Volz — started their new jobs this spring. Each brings a particular background and sensibility to a regional arts scene that has boomed since the COVID-19 pandemic, and is amid a larger demographic sea change, according to a recent study by Florida Gulf Coast University economists.
Devon Parker, who began as an intern at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in 2010, now steps into the role of executive director after more than a decade as assistant director.
Brian Tietz
Devon ParkerSidney & Berne Davis Art Center
Parker’s interview was held at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center on the opening night of a group show featuring work by Paradise Tattoo artists.
She takes over the executive director position from Jim Griffith, a Juilliard-trained violist who started the Davis Center arts program in 2003. He secured a 99-year lease from the city of Fort Myers, which had bought the old federal courthouse and post office building to create the cultural hub it became under his leadership.
It’s a spectacular 1933 Neoclassic Revival structure supported by limestone columns that are studded with seashells. Parker, 40, knows the building intimately. She started as an intern there in 2010 after completing a master’s degree in art history at the University of Arizona and has served as assistant director since 2011.
Where did you grow up?
I’m a third-generation Fort Myers native. I’m from the McGregor corridor. I went to Fort Myers High School.
What was your first job?
My first official job was, I was the hostess and busser at McGregor Cafe … I worked for some family businesses so, you know, you get unofficial work from your parents. Most of the work I did was with my mom. My grandparents founded a wholesale gift and souvenir company called Beachcombers International. It was actually the largest shipper in Lee County for a number of years before it sold. They used to sell wholesale gifts and souvenirs all over the U.S.
Are there artists or works that inspired you early on?
My inspiration of getting into the art field was through my education in The School District of Lee County. I am an art historian; I’m not an artist. My love of history and art history was fostered from a really young age, starting all the way back to my 8th grade history teacher, Ms. (Kay) Holloway. And then in high school, my European and art history teacher, Maureen Copeland. She and my 11th grade U.S. history teacher Raymond Gault were very impactful teachers in my early education.
What part of art history was the most inspiring to you?
I’m a medievalist, actually. I mean, OK, so I would say medievalist to early Renaissance. I find that work fascinating.
What was your first day like as executive director?
[It] was a little bit hectic because we found out Jim [Griffith] was leaving, and I had a long vacation planned to go celebrate my 10-year wedding anniversary with my husband in Europe. I had to come back a little bit early because Hurricane Milton was bearing down on the area, and so I came back dealing with hurricane ramifications.
What are you most proud of?
I’m really proud of all of the restoration that we’ve done to the building. I’ve been involved in the restoration efforts from basically the restoration of the elevator all the way through the second-floor rooftop — all of those phases.
Did your predecessor give you any advice?
We talk weekly, at least, so he’s still my sounding board. One of the biggest things he said is as the director, oftentimes it’s better to listen first before you make any kind of judgments or statements. Just listen, digest it and then react.
Do you dream and, if so, what about?
I do dream. I dream about the Art Center. One of my big dreams is seeing the exterior restored. [It] is a very big project, and it’s complicated, because it is an almost 100-year-old building, and there are a lot of steps for it to be done properly.
What makes you nervous?
I think one of the things that makes me nervous is sometimes the arts are kind of taken for granted in people’s minds. The arts are a big economic driver in our area. It’s also a big employer; all of the things that we do support jobs here at the Art Center and around our community. And when the community takes what we do for granted or [thinks] that it’s always going to be there no matter what, you start to lose a little bit of the value of it.
What’s life like outside of work?
Outside of work, I spend a lot of time with my family. I have a husband and an 8-year-old and a 5-year-old. So, most of my time outside of the Art Center is just devoted to them.
Who is the greatest artist of your generation, or maybe I should ask, who is the greatest artist of the medieval period?
For medieval stuff, it’s difficult to say a preeminent artist because a lot of the medieval artists are not named. … It’s like picking a favorite child. Sophie’s choice. I don’t know, I’ll go with Michelangelo.
Do you prefer to watch a movie at home or on the big screen? And have you seen anything good lately?
The movie I’ve seen most recently was How to Train Your Dragon because we have kids. It was done very well, but I’ve mostly watched things at home. Right now, we’re rewatching “Ted Lasso.”
How is that?
The best show. I mean, I love it. It’s extremely witty but it’s also usually very uplifting.
If you could recommend one work of art to check out, what would it be and why?
I don’t know that I can recommend one. What I would recommend is to go and immerse yourself in a space where you can really drink in art, and music too. Be in a space where you can get to know the art better, be closer to it. That’s one of the reasons why I love the Art Center so much. It allows you to get closer to artwork that you wouldn’t normally be able to be closer to.
Juan Santiago brings entrepreneurial drive and nonprofit experience to his new role at ArtFest Fort Myers. Raised in Puerto Rico by his grandparents, the registered nurse–turned–business owner and former Florida Rep operations director has built a career on service and creativity.
Brian Tietz
Juan SantiagoArtFest Fort Myers
Santiago’s interview was held at the fourth-floor offices of ArtFest Fort Myers in the downtown Tidewater building. He stepped into the role of executive director held for 24 years by Sharon McAllister, who grew the yearly festival into a signature River District event.
Santiago, 31, is an entrepreneur and nonprofit leader who moved to Fort Myers a decade ago. Raised by his grandparents in Puerto Rico, he credits their hard work with giving him a start. They ran a hot dog and burger cart among other jobs to make ends meet.
He is also a registered nurse, though nonpracticing. He gravitated to customer service jobs before starting a wedding and events business that he still runs. Before starting with ArtFest in 2024, he was the director of operations and volunteer coordinator for the Florida Repertory Theatre.
Where did you grow up and what was that like?
I grew up in Puerto Rico. That’s where I was born and raised, in the town of Morovis. … Not a lot of people know this, but when I was probably 8 or 9 years old, I lost my speech because I have a stutter. Sometimes you won’t even notice it, but I do. Once I started my therapies, they identified that my love for music was going to be the key to get me to learn how to talk again.
What was your first job?
My first job was at a Domino’s pizza, and I was a delivery guy.
What was your first day like as ArtFest director?
Having gone through the festival, I felt like I knew what I was doing, and it just felt very natural. That said, our founder had been in here for 24 years, basically, so knowing that I was stepping into some big shoes, I was very excited but just a little nervous for it.
Did your predecessor give you advice?
I think her biggest advice was for me to just continue making a difference. I think that has always been a life motive for me, and I think Sharon [McAllister] tried to do that with ArtFest for the past 24 years.
What inspires you?
Number one, I have recently become a father. As of May 2025, my husband and I adopted a 5-year-old who has changed our lives. Another big inspiration throughout my entire life has been my grandmother. She has been my rock, and a big part of who I am today is all because of her. My husband, Eliot, also inspired me a lot. He is my right and my left hand. The last thing I’ll mention is just the need of doing something good that has an impact.
Do you dream and, if so, what about?
Yes, I dream. I think that’s why I am where I am. You know, when I first moved to Fort Myers 10 years ago, I didn’t know anyone. … My grandparents worked really hard to give me what I had and to make sure I had enough so that I could have a future. So, I dream. I have dreamt my entire life, and I still dream every day.
What makes you nervous?
The number one thing that makes me nervous is just the thought of failing someone that I love. Like knowing that there’s a chance, an opportunity to fail and to maybe not meet someone’s expectations. That has always made me very nervous. And speaking. Because I have a stutter, I don’t like to speak in public.
Do you prefer to watch a movie or a show at home or the big screen? And have you seen anything good lately?
We prefer to be at home in our jammies watching Netflix series. We do a lot of that, especially over the weekends. The last thing I watched [was] a Netflix movie called KPop Demon Hunters. I know the name sounds very, very edgy, but the message of the movie is all about what you can do when you find your voice and the power that your voice has.
Who is the greatest artist of your generation, or any other?
That’s rough. And I’m sure a lot of people my age will tell you Ariana Grande [or] Taylor Swift. … I won’t say them, though. I will tell you one of my biggest influences and inspirations lately will be Cynthia Erivo. She was the lead actress of Wicked.
If you could recommend one work of art to check out, what would it be?
If anyone has the opportunity to check out The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg, I think the work in it is just amazing.
As former deputy director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Neil Volz helped lead the Nobel-nominated campaign behind Amendment 4, restoring voting rights to 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. He’s also held key roles with the Lee County Homeless Coalition and other local nonprofits.
Brian Tietz
Neil VolzAlliance for the Arts
Volz’s interview was held at the Alliance’s campus off McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers. He follows Molly Rowan-Deckart after her four-year tenure and Lydia Black, who ran the organization for 13 years.
Volz, 54, is a seasoned and gregarious nonprofit leader and civil rights advocate. More than most, he has experienced the depths of failure and heights of success, at least publicly. After graduating from Ohio State University, he worked as chief of staff for a congressman in Washington, D.C. There, Volz pled guilty to federal felony charges for exchanging gifts, such as sports tickets, to curry favor as a congressional aide and lobbyist.
Nearly two decades later, Volz is known as the former deputy director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. He helped spearhead the grassroots effort to pass Amendment 4, a landmark civil rights initiative that in 2018 restored the voting rights of 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. The FRRC was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for its role.
Volz also worked in leadership positions with the Lee County Homeless Coalition and other Southwest Florida nonprofits. Politico named him one of the 40 most influential people in politics, and he was named Florida Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Workers.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, in a little town called Finneytown.
Did you come from a big family? A small family?
There were four of us. So, my brother and I and my parents. And I was blessed with just an amazing family. And it was a bigger family because the community I come from still feels like home. My mom worked at the high school as a teacher; my brother works at the high school now as a teacher. There’s just a lot of friends and family who live in that town. So, in that regard, it feels like a big family. But my core is just the four of us.
What was your first job?
I cut lawns and I did the lines of baseball games and soccer and football games. So, I was a little entrepreneur early on.
Were there any formative artists or works that you were inspired by early on?
I really was drawn to literature, (author) J.D. Salinger and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (by Roald Dahl). Music was big for me. I grew up on ’80s hip-hop, and I love the poetry of rap and hip-hop music. Then I got into theater when I was in high school. I love musicals, and I love theater. … I was a huge Elvis fan as a kid, so I was fascinated with all of it.
What was your first day like at the Alliance?
Two feelings. One was that scene in The Wizard of Oz when it goes from black and white to color. We were having some of the most creative conversations, and I felt so incredibly blessed to be in a position in which I could serve my community through creative, artistic endeavors. The other was just straight up drinking from the fire hose. I realized and still realize that this is going to be constant learning, constant listening and constantly evolving.
Did your predecessor give you any advice when you started?
Molly [Rowan-Deckart] was here for a couple years and then Lydia [Black], and I keep in regular contact with both of them, and they’re both just unbelievably wonderful and amazing leaders. Molly was just like, “Be yourself.” Lydia was more like, “This is a great opportunity to serve the community — and we’re counting on you.”
Do you dream? And if so, what about?
That’s funny. So, last night I dreamt about a vacation on the water. I dream about nature a lot and I love the water and the Everglades and what we have surrounding us here in Southwest Florida.
What makes you nervous?
Not much. Maybe not being prepared enough.
Have you read anything good lately?
I’m reading a book called Grenada (by Beverley A. Steele) right now, which is really fascinating. … I’ll tell you, the book that rocked me, man, was The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt. It really changed the way I saw the world, how I processed through my own challenges and how I talked to people.
Do you prefer to watch a movie at home or on the big screen, and have you seen anything good lately?
Man, that’s challenging. They’re different. On the big screen, I saw Bob Dylan (A Complete Unknown), which was really good. I’m going to see Fantastic Four this weekend. I heard that’s pretty good. What else jumped out at me? Oh, the second Top Gun. I saw that one twice at the theater.
Who is the greatest artist of your generation — or any other?
I’m a Picasso guy. But the name that jumped in when it was just like, in my life? Eminem.
If you could recommend one work of art to check out, what would it be and why?
Rent, on Broadway, right at the time period it was coming out (1996). Such a tribute to the struggles and beauty of humanity.