WHAT IS GATORS GALORE?
It’s a “Gator Experience” in more
ways than one. You’ll see life-size fiberglass
alligators that have been decorated by artists from
Naples and other communities in Florida. Gators will
be standing on their hands and curling in delight at
select public viewing locations around Naples from
December 2003 to March 2004.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR GATORS GALORE?
The Boys & Girls Club of Collier County and the
von Liebig Art Center have been the driving force behind
this event. Gators Galore Inc’s goal is to create
a museum-without-walls, bringing art to public spaces
in an exciting way. Most importantly, the project will
provide funds to programs at both the Boys & Girls
Club of Collier County and the von Liebig Art Center.
WHEN CAN I SEE THE GATORS?
Gators Galore swims and slithers into Naples again
in December 2003. Gators will continue to appear
on the streets and at select businesses until the
end of March. Travel around town with a “Gator
Locator” map and enjoy your own “Gator
Sightings”, or take the Naples Trolley to view
the most popular Gator sights. They will be on display
until they are auctioned in March.
Gators to Benefit
What is the Naples Art Association at the von Liebig Art Center?
The Naples Art Association
at the von Liebig Art Center
is a community arts center serving Southwest Florida.
Changing exhibitions of American art from 1950 forward
are on view and open to the public throughout the year.
The Center’s education program offers enriching
studio courses for adults and youth. Lectures and workshops
conducted by nationally recognized artists, historians
and critics foster a greater understanding and appreciation
of contemporary art and related topics.
Over $30,000
in scholarships are now awarded each year to Collier
County’s merit and need based youth.
- ART School enrollment grew from 104 in 1999 to
874 in 2003.
- Membership has grown
from 400 in 1998 to 1600 in 2003.
- The education programs serve an average of 4700
that participate in studio classes, workshops, attend
lectures,
school field trips and art tours.
- More than 100,000 participate in programs and
events.
- The Center’s library holds Collier County’s
largest collection of art publications and videos.
- The gift shop features unique art items and wearable
art objects.
What is the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County?
Established in September 1991 The Boys & Girls
Club of Collier County is a local chapter of The Boys & Girls
Club of America, providing daily after-school and summer
enrichment programs to an average of 350 youths per
day, ages 5 to 18. The Boys & Girls Club serves
over 400 children in three satellite school locations.
Our Mission:
To inspire & enable young people, especially those
from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their
full potential as productive, responsible and caring
citizens.
The Boys & Girls Club of Collier County has proven
programs designed to help keep youths on track, create
health habits, and to prevent teens from making decisions
that could limit their options.
These programs include:
Operation Smart – science and math exploration
Smart Moves – substance abuse prevention program
Power Hour – homework assistance and tutoring
Ultimate Journey – environmental education
Friendly PEERsuasion – a leadership training
program
Featured Artists
About the Gator Sculptor
Renowned sculptor, Kathy Spalding is one of the most
notable international sculptors of true life bronzed
in the country. As a child she studied at The Cranbrook
Academy of Art. Her formal education began with drawing
and etching at Pratt Institute. She studied drawing
and lithography at Cornell, engraving and bronze
casting at the University of Iowa and engraving at
the acclaimed Atelier Garrigues in France. As a wild
life artist, she has pursued independent studies
and worked in exotic destinations. Kathy is one of
the few artists who has mastered and refined the “lost
wax process” used for hundreds of years to
create bronze sculptures. Her work is outstanding
and unique in that she has developed a technique
that affords her the ability to create fine detail
in larger than life size compositions.
Featured Artists
Romero Britto
Through his vibrant colors, playful themes and hard-edged
compositions, Romero Britto is recognized as one of
the most important living artist’s in contemporary
pop art today. Britto is shown internationally in over
140 galleries while numerous corporations collect his
art including Absolut, Movado, Pepsi Cola, Disney,
the United Nations and Royal Caribbean Cruise lines.
Collectors Michael Jordan and Arnold Schwarzenegger,
own his original works, as do the Guggenheims and Kennedys
among others.
Pablo Cano
Pablo Cano’s creations mirror his ever developing
fascination with the world that surrounds him. Incorporating
his love of nostalgia, romance and the poetic laced
with the pragmatism of the mundane, Cano reworks his
visions into a treasure trove of imagery. Now considered
one of Miami’s hottest artists, he had developed
a wonderful style that brings
together his Cuban heritage,
religious iconology and a gift for adapting found
objects to create his whimsical treasures. Special Thanks
Gators Galore Inc. Board of Directors
Joanne Ricciardiello – Co-Chair
Joan Salke – Co-Chair
Terry Flynn
Barbara Heimann
Lea Smith
Nancy Tarika
Installation Team
Terry Flynn
Phil Ricciardiello
Paul Skapura
David Smith
Gator Photographer
Lisa Absher |