Young Artists Add a Splash of Color to Naples Art Fest

Naples, FL, January 22, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Art and autism are often linked, as art provides an outlet for individuals with autism who may have difficulty expressing themselves in more conventional ways. At this year’s Eden Autism Services Naples Invitational Art Fest, children from five to 18 years of age, are invited join the Art Fest fun by submitting their best coloring efforts for judging. The winners will be selected by a panel of Art Fest artists and announced at 5:00 p.m. on January 29th.

Line drawings by Art Fest contributor and judge, John Long, are the basis of the contest. The drawings feature cartoon animals – from a long-legged penguin to a high-heel wearing cow, and a dog with a portable fire hydrant. Children are invited to view the three drawings available and download them from the edenartfest.com or edenflorida.org web sites. (Pre-printed sheets are available by calling 239-992-4680 x210, or you can pick up at the offices of the Naples Daily News, 1100 Immokalee Road, Naples.) Only one entry is permitted per person.

Children can choose how to color – using crayons, markers, pastels, even a computer. The judges will be looking for creativity, so young artists are encouraged to stretch their imaginations and talents. Competed coloring submissions along with a completed entry form must be turned in to the Art Fest at Fleishmann Park on Saturday, January 29 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

“All children love to color, and we want to encourage their artistic development,” said Susan Suarez, Executive Director of Eden Autism Services Florida. “The coloring contest is really much more than simply coloring between the lines, it is an opportunity for children to begin with our drawings and create something amazing.”

Young artists will be judged in one of three age group categories: ages 5-7, ages 8 – 12 and ages 13-18. One grand prize winner and two runner-ups will be selected in each category. The Grand Prize Winners will each receive a $50 gift certificate from Jason’s Deli and the runner’s up will receive a meal for two from Jason’s Winning entries will also be published in The Naples Daily News as well as on the Art Fest and Eden Autism Services web sites. The original artwork will be on display at the Naples location of Jason’s Deli for two-weeks after the Art Fest.

The Eden Autism Services|Naples Invitational Art Fest coloring contest is sponsored by The Naples Daily News, Jason’s Deli, Home-Tech, Arthrex and First National Bank of the Gulf Coast.

About Eden Autism Services Florida
Eden Autism Services was founded in New Jersey in 1975 with a mission to improve the lives of individuals with autism by providing a range of community-based services to meet specific needs throughout the lifespan. In 1996, Eden Autism Services Florida was founded to address the state’s growing need for specialized services for children and adults with autism and their families. Eden Autism Services Florida’s services range from comprehensive outreach, including program consultations and early intervention, to schools in Naples and Fort Myers for school age students, an organic training farm, and residential and employment services for adults. For more information, contact Taire Malloy at 239-992-4680, extension 206 or Eden.florida@edenservices.org.

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