There’s something different about packing and transporting historical and irreplaceable artwork that someone has spent decades collecting.
For Anthony Petullo, art has been a lifelong passion. A former U.S. Navy officer and successful entrepreneur, Petullo has spent more than 40 years building a remarkable collection of self-taught and outsider art, developing a personal eye for artists and works that spoke to him. Driven by his love of collecting art and his eye for quality, his early pieces grew into a significant collection that has been exhibited in museums and shared with institutions across the country.
Today, when artwork needs to make the journey from Petullo’s home in Naples, Florida, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he knows exactly who he wants handling it: Andy and Wendy Ahrens, owners of Navis Pack & Ship of Naples.
More Than Just Moving Art
“When you’re handling someone’s artwork, you know there’s a story behind every piece,” said Andy Ahrens.
That is especially true with Petullo’s collection.
Petullo began seriously building his collection in 1990. What started as a personal interest eventually became a collection of more than 600 works, including pieces by artists such as Bill Traylor, Henry Darger, Minnie Evans, Adolf Wölfli, Alfred Wallis and Scottie Wilson.
Over the years, Petullo donated hundreds of works to museums and other institutions, including the Milwaukee Art Museum. His collection became known for its strong representation of European and American self-taught artists and has been featured in museum exhibitions.
For Andy and Wendy Ahrens, knowing the history behind the artwork shapes how they approach their specialty shipping services.
“Anthony has built an extraordinary collection of fine art, and whenever he entrusts us with a work from the Anthony Petullo Collection, we understand just how important that piece is to him,” said Andy. “We take great care in preparing it for the journey and ensuring it arrives safely in Milwaukee.”
A Collector's Eye
Petullo never followed a traditional path into collecting. He had no formal art education. Instead, he learned by talking with artists, curators, dealers, critics and other collectors and by developing his own understanding of what moved him. That personal approach became an important part of the collection.
The Anthony Petullo Collection is particularly recognized for its self-taught and outsider artists, including many European artists whose work reflects highly individual styles and perspectives.
For Petullo, collecting was never simply about accumulating artwork. It was about discovering something that connected with him.
“Art has always been an important part of my life, and I’ve been fortunate to have wonderful people around me who understand the care and attention that artwork requires,” said Petullo.
That same appreciation for the history and meaning behind each piece is part of what has made his relationship with Andy and Wendy Ahrens so meaningful.
“My relationship with Andy and Wendy Ahrens has grown through our shared connections to Naples and Milwaukee, and I have great confidence in the way they approach the handling and transportation of art,” said Petullo. “The Ahrens and their team understand that these are not simply objects being moved from one place to another—they are works of art with history, meaning and personal significance.”
Shipping for Anthony Petullo: From Naples to Milwaukee with Navis Pack & Ship
The relationship between Petullo, Andy and Wendy Ahrens, and Chef Adam Siegel came full circle when Navis Pack & Ship transported and delivered artwork to Il Ponte Italian restaurant in Downtown Milwaukee—a few select pieces from Anthony’s personal collection.
While there, Andy had the opportunity to meet Chef Adam Siegel and see the artwork displayed, bringing their experience of shipping the art from Naples to its destination.
“It was pretty special to walk into the Il Ponte restaurant and recognize artwork that we had helped move from Naples,” said Andy. “Then to meet Chef Adam and see the artwork in its new setting made the whole experience even more memorable.”
It was one of those moments that made the long-distance journey of Petullo’s artwork feel a little more personal. For Navis Pack & Ship, it’s about helping preserve the connection between the artwork, the collector and the place where that piece will be enjoyed next.
Caring for What Matters
When Petullo calls on Navis Pack & Ship of Naples, the responsibility begins well before the artwork gets on the road.
Every piece must be carefully prepared, protected and handled throughout its journey. For artwork that has been collected over decades, that level of attention matters.
“With Anthony, we understand that these are works he has collected over many years and that each one has meaning to him,” said Andy. “We take that responsibility seriously. Our job is to make sure the artwork is properly protected and carefully handled from the time we pick it up until it reaches its destination.” For Petullo, that confidence comes from knowing the people handling his collection.
And for Andy and Wendy Ahrens, it is a relationship that connects two places they know well — Naples and Milwaukee — through something they all appreciate: fine art, from paintings to sculptures.
Sometimes, a shipment is more than a shipment. Sometimes, it carries a little bit of history with it!
About Navis Pack & Ship of Naples
Navis Pack & Ship of Naples is an independently owned and operated business in the respected Navis network. Navis is the premier provider of packing and shipping services for difficult-to-ship items in North America, backed by over 30 years of leadership in the industry. Andy and Wendy Ahrens are certified under Navis' stringent training and operating requirements for the care, shipping, pickup, and delivery of fragile, large, awkward, and valuable goods.
Reach Us at Our Florida Offices
- Naples: (239) 261-9103
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- West Palm Beach: (561) 768-7978
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- Fort Myers: (239) 689-5512
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