Easter Seals' Naples Invitational Art Fest Returns to Fleischmann Park, 1/25

Easter Seals Florida presents the 17th annual Naples Invitational Art Fest on January 25 and 26, 2014 at Fleischmann Park, 1600 Fleischmann Blvd., Naples. The Naples Invitational Art Fest is a juried show that was ranked 31st in the United States in the September 2013 edition of Sunshine Artist magazine, the nation's premier art and craft show magazine.

This annual show offers southwest Florida residents and visitors an opportunity to browse and purchase fine art that includes paintings in oil and acrylic, watercolors, drawings in graphite and pastels, art photography, blown glass, turned wood pieces, sculptures, metal works, ceramics and pottery, fiber art, hand-crafted fine art jewelry and a variety of 2D and 3D mixed media pieces.

The Naples Invitational Art Fest is unique in Florida and the country because the proceeds benefit a 501(c) 3 organization, Easter Seals Florida. Easter Seals' mission is to provide exceptional services to ensure that children with autism and other special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their environment. These services include Lily Academies, K-12 schools in Fort Myers and Naples for children with autism, clinical services, consultations and community training, and adult residential and day training. Donations are accepted as attendees arrive and proceeds from a silent auction of works donated by participating artists directly benefit the organization. Easter Seals staff and students, along with their parents and committee members work at the event.

"The Naples Invitational Art Fest draws 140 of the best fine art and fine craft artists from around the country and is a must do for residents and visitors of Southwest Florida," said Jill Spanbauer, event director.

For more information about the 2014 Naples Invitational Art Fest contact Taire Malloy at TMalloy@fl.easterseals.com or (239) 992-4680 ext. 17101.

About Easter Seals Florida
The Naples Invitational Art Fest benefits Easter Seals Florida. For 65 years, Easter Seals Florida has been offering help, hope, and answers to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play in their communities. Easter Seals Florida provides a wide range of community based services in Southwest Florida. These services include Lily Academies, K-12 schools in Fort Myers and Naples for children with autism, clinical services, consultations and community training, and adult residential and day training. For more information, call (239) 992-4680 or visit www.fl.easterseals.com

About Autism
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 88 children in the United States, and one in 54 boys. The prevalence of autism has increased 600 percent in the past two decades. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.