We are thrilled to announce the upcoming 3rd Annual “Celebration of Creation” contest, an event that serves as a platform to showcase the remarkable talents and abilities of individuals with additional needs. Our primary aim is not merely to celebrate art itself, but to encourage active participation from the community. This contest provides a delightful and engaging opportunity for the public to witness the extraordinary talents and capabilities we all possess. It’s a fun-filled celebration of art and a chance to win fantastic prizes.

This year, we have chosen the theme of “Nature” to inspire our artists and connect them with the outdoors. The Nature theme invites a diverse array of artistic expressions, encompassing subjects like animals, landscapes, seascapes, celestial skies, the world of flora and fauna, and much more. We welcome various interpretations of our nature theme, including representative, abstract, and conceptual works. Artists may submit their creations in various visual art mediums such as painting, drawing, fiber art, photography, sculpture, or collage.

To exhibit your artwork at the “Celebration of Creation” reception, which will take place at the enchanting Naples Botanical Garden, we have arranged a drop-off day on Friday, January 19, 2024, between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Families dropping off their artwork on this day will enjoy complimentary admission to the Garden, allowing you to explore its beauty after contributing to our event. For pictures and paintings, please ensure they are framed, as this will enable us to display them elegantly. If you have any inquiries about transporting your artwork to the Naples Botanical Garden or concerns about its display, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@additionalneeds.info or reach out to Doug Sharpe at (239) 298-1499. We are eagerly anticipating a wonderful celebration of art and creativity at the Naples Botanical Garden!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Naples Botanical Garden for their partnership with Additional Needs, Inc. They will graciously host the 2023-2024 Additional Needs Art Contest Reception & Awards on January 20th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The reception will feature artworks from five different age groups, spanning from 5 years old (Kindergarten) to adults (over 18) with additional needs. During this captivating evening, we will announce the five winners selected by our jury from the impressive pool of artists. This event is free for all families with additional needs, but please remember to RSVP to the Naples Botanical Garden. Here is the RSVP link to learn more about their free Sensory-Friendly Saturdays. This link takes you to last years “Celebration of Creation” which has the organizations that were for our 2nd annual “Celebration of Creation”

In addition to our partnership with the Naples Botanical Garden, we are delighted to welcome several local organizations that will be participating in this remarkable event. Stay tuned for more exciting updates on our collaborators!

This link will lead you to the previous year’s “Celebration of Creation” event held at Naples Botanical Garden, showcasing the participating organizations for our second annual “Celebration of Creation.”