Naples Airport, Collier County Public Schools partner for aviation-themed art showcase
The Naples Airport Authority and Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) are collaborating to host an art contest designed to educate and inspire the next generation of aviators and aviation enthusiasts.
The Aviation Art Student Showcase, which is open to students at all 11 CCPS middle schools and encourages them to explore the beauty of aviation through original artwork, seeks submissions of original two-dimensional artwork featuring aircraft, the air traffic control tower, runways and taxiways, terminal buildings and other scenes from the airport. Students can choose from a variety of mediums, including acrylic, watercolor and oil paint, as well as markers, colored pencils and crayons. Students are also being asked to write a short essay describing the inspiration, concept and theme behind their artwork.
“For several years, the passenger lounge at our General Aviation Terminal has featured rotating exhibitions from local artists. Meanwhile, we’ve supported youth programs that draw children and teens to the airport, including Girls in Aviation Day, the Southwest Florida CEO program, Runway 5K race, the Experimental Aircraft Association’s ‘Young Eagles’ and other initiatives,” said Chris Rozansky, executive director of the Naples Airport Authority. “The art contest will further introduce children and teens to the world of possibility that aviation creates, from traveling the world to exploring potential career paths in aviation.”
Collier County Public Schools offer a variety of art and art history courses at all levels, as well as opportunities to be featured in the Superintendent’s Art Gallery exhibit and participate in community-based art showcases.
“Opportunities like this allow students to apply their creativity in new ways while connecting what they learn in the classroom to the world around them,” said Skip Pardee, the school district’s instructional coordinator for fine arts. “We’re excited to present this contest to our visual art students in all 11 of our middle schools, giving them the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents and explore the many possibilities that aviation offers.”
Through a partnership with United Arts Collier, local artists will serve as judges and select winners from each middle school. Then, the Naples Airport Authority will announce three winners whose artwork will be displayed in the passenger waiting area at the newly renovated North Road Terminal. Winners also will receive gift cards to The Pilot Shop at Naples Airport, a Naples Airport swag bag and an opportunity to participate in a free “Young Eagles” flight through the airport’s chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Naples Airport will announce winners in January.
About Naples Airport
The Naples Airport is a vital community asset that provides convenient access to the City of Naples and Collier County for residents and visitors alike. The airport is also home to critical public services, including the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Collier Mosquito Control District, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Fire Station 3, and Collier County EMS MedFlight. It also serves as a staging hub for recovery operations during emergencies. The airport’s tenants include private and corporate aviation, air charter, aircraft maintenance and repair services, car rental brands, and flight schools. Naples Airport Authority (NAA), an independent government agency that operates Naples Airport, receives no local tax dollars; it is primarily funded through fuel sales, hangar rentals, and other related services. The Florida Department of Transportation has estimated Naples Airport’s annual economic impact at $781 million. The NAA strives to balance the needs of the aviation community and residents’ quality of life through a variety of initiatives, including its Fly Safe Fly Quiet program. Visit FlyNaples.com for more information.
