Outreach is an important part of the Naples Art Association’s programming. In this photo, children from Grace Place took center stage. JAMA, an artist recently featured with the Naples Art Association, taught an art class for these children. The NAA hosted them afterward with an evening reception and exhibit at the von Liebig Art Center afterward. Here is Executive Director Aimee Schlehr at left talking with one of the young artists.
The Naples Art Association supports several organizations and events this season that are engaging people with social, physical or developmental barriers to creating works of art. “Art is intuitive to each one of us, regardless of socio-economic status, training or natural ability, and is an expression of who we are,” said Aimee Schlehr, executive director of the Naples Art Association.
Big Impressions by Little Artists, March 7, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
This preschool painting bears striking similarity to Monet’s Antibes. Groups of children ages 3-5 quickly painted the dynamic skywash and seascape, while the tree was detailed by petite perfectionist painters Sydney, 5, and Sophia, 4, with small brushes and fingerprints.
Members of the CCCR Business 100 and the Naples Art Association will serve as hosts of the event, Big Impressions by Little Artists, which will benefit Collier Child Care Resources, Inc. This fundraising event will feature paintings created by toddlers to pre-school children, a live auction, hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and live entertainment. Tickets are $50. Proceeds will help provide scholarships for children in need and supplies for the childcare centers served by CCCR. Information or to purchase tickets, call 239-643-3908.
Collier Child Care Resources, Inc., (CCCR), is a private, non-profit child care agency that serves children, families and early learning professionals. We have had offices in Collier County since 1991 and expanded our offices to include Immokalee in 2001. Their mission is to support the needs of Collier County’s children, families and early learning professionals by providing high quality education, resources and child care services.
Hattie Larlham Creative Arts showcase, March 15, 5 – 7 p.m.
Art by Aaron from Hattie Larlham Creative Arts
Come see paintings and sculptures at a special reception hosted by the Naples Art Association at The von Liebig Art Center in Naples, Fla., on Friday, March 15 from 5–7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. During the Friday evening reception, artwork from Hattie Larlham Creative Arts will be on display in The von Liebig Art Center’s main Watson Gallery.
Hattie Larlham Creative Arts is a nationally renowned art program that empowers people with developmental disabilities to communicate through artistic expression. The program began near Cleveland, Ohio, in 2007 with six artists with developmental disabilities and has grown to serve 87 people who produce artwork that is often juried at national art shows, including the upcoming Gulf Coast Fine Art Festival.
Events produced by partner organizations such as Collier Child Care Resources and Hattie Larlham Creative Arts emphasize the fact that every person is intrinsically artistic and through art everyone has a voice. “I think people will come away from these receptions with a better appreciation for art as a language form, and this event is especially impressive because preschoolers are producing these fantastic works of art,” she said.
For more on the Naples Art Associations’ community partnerships and programming supporting students to pursue the art careers, here is more on Avow Hospice’s annual butterfly release and merit-based scholarship and exhibition opportunities for Collier County high school juniors and seniors.
Naples Art Association 