New York Style and Training

Born in New York City, Marilyn Janss graduated from Bronxville High School and pursued a career in the arts at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. Back in New York City, Marilyn worked for two couturiers in New York City before becoming a model. She was trained by two premier jewelers, one of which designed and manufactured jewelry for Cartier, Tiffany’s, Van Cleef and Arpel. Marilyn also studied under Joe Costello, a well-known Diamond Setter in New York City.

Bringing Experience South

In 1966 Marilyn moved to Naples, Florida, where she became Naples’ first manufacturing jeweler noted for her many copyrighted designs which include The Naples Medallion, The Sanibel Medallion, The Marco Island Medallion, The Bears Paw Medallion, The Palm Cottage Medallion, and her newest design for The National Wildlife Federation® Backyard Habitat™ Medallion. Marilyn owns and operates Cleopatra’s Barge Fine Jewelry on Third Street South, featuring her unique and custom designs. Marilyn is a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) certified Diamond and Colored Stone Grader and Appraiser with over thirty-eight years experience, as well as a certified Jeweler and Diamond Setter. Marilyn is a Real Estate Professional as well. In addition to her experience, Marilyn brought her dedication and philanthropy to help Naples.

Philanthropy

Cleopatra’s Barge donates to numerous organizations including the The National Wildlife Federation, the Collier County Historical Society, Shelter for Abused Women, Bosom Buddies, NICE, American Heart Association, and Disabled Firefighters Foundation to name a few.

Marilyn personally donates to many organizations to help save animals. Also Marilyn has adopted two children in Brazil through the Christians Children Association.

Art of All Forms

In addition to Marilyn’s exquisite jewelry, she has pursued many interests internationally including the self-taught world of photography. Marilyn’s images represent the world’s diversity and she enjoys capturing all forms of life and matter through her imagination and the eye of the camera. Gicleés, photos reproduced on canvas, which can be enlarged to over 5 feet, have been of particular interest lately. Caribbean Gardens, the ZOO in Naples, featured an exhibit of her African Animal Gicleés as well as commissioned her to photograph some of their wildlife featured in their brochures. Studio Botero on Bald Eagle Drive on Marco Island exhibited Marilyn’s African Gicleés of more than 20 different subjects from December 2001 through January 2002. From November 22^nd, 2002 to January 11^th, 2003 two of Marilyn’s Gicleés, The Great African Migration and Regal (one of the wives of the Chief of the Masai tribe) were featured in a juried exhibit at The von Liebig Art Center in Naples, Florida. Marilyn’s photography at Little Salt Springs has been used in news and promotional releases pertaining to the archeological finds at that site.

Exhibitions

Regal (one of the wives of the Chief of the Masai tribe) was exhibited in Chapel Hill at the University of North Carolina at the Sonya Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History dedication August 22, 2004 as well as permanently displayed at the Stone Center. Three of Marilyn’s Gicleés, The Great African Migration, Victoria Falls and Early Morning Splendor were featured in an exhibit at The Cleveland Clinic in Naples, Florida from October 2003 to May 2004. Several of her Gicleés are on exhibit at her Jewelry Store, Cleopatra’s Barge Fine Jewelry.