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Naples Focus™ Gators Galore


Contact Information:

Gators Galore Inc.
P.O. Box 771044
Naples, Florida 34107
239.435.6385

www.gatorsgalore.com
info@gatorsgalore.com
The von Liebig Art Center
585 Park Street
Naples, Florida 34102
239.262.6517

www.naplesartcenter.org
info@naplesartcenter.org

The Boys & Girls Club of Collier County
7500 Davis Boulevard
Naples, Florida
239.430.1562

www.bgccc.com
info@bgccc.com

Gators Galore

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


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