Naples Invitational Art Fest Ranked 31st in the United States by Sunshine Artist Magazine

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Sept. 4, 2013 - PRLog -- The Naples Invitational Art Fest was ranked 31^st in the United States in the September 2013 edition of Sunshine Artist magazine, the nation’s premier art and craft show magazine.  The rankings are determined by the gross income reported by participating artists in more than 1,000 shows across the country.  The 17^th Annual Naples Invitational Art Fest will be held January 25 and 26, 2014 at Fleishmann Park in Naples.

“The ranking by Sunshine Artist means that The Naples Invitational Art Fest will continue to draw the best fine art and design artists from around the country,” said Jill Spanbauer, event founder and chair.  “This juried show draws more than 140 fine artists annually and the show has become a must-do for residents and visitors of Southwest Florida.”

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, vocational training and employment services.

The Naples Invitational Art Fest is accepting applications from artists working in all media to exhibit at the 17th annual Naples Invitational Art Fest.   A jury of arts professionals will select the artists to participate in the show and will award $5,000 in prizes in numerous categories. All artists must apply online by October 15, 2013 by visiting www.fl.easterseals.com/artfest.  Event sponsorships are also available.  For more information 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, vocational training and employment services. 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.