Participate in “Celebration of Creation”,
ANI’s National Art Experience For Children & Adults with Additional Needs.
Contest Results
2024-2025 Winners
Individuals
Teams
-
Adult Category:
God’s Protected Harbor with “Plant, Land and Sea” -
9-12 Grade Category:
Naples High School with “Collaborative Painting” -
6-8 Grade Category:
Mrs. Martin’s Amazing Students with “Gladie Jama--A Cat-larboration Caterpillar “ -
3-5 Grade Category:
Hawk Squad with “Leaf Collage” -
K-2 Grade Category:
Highlands Elementary with “Fish Mobile"
Overview
The 5th Annual Art Experience
“Celebration of Creation”
This event is an immersive art experience designed to highlight the incredible talents and abilities of individuals with additional needs. While there is an optional art contest as part of the Celebration of Creation, participation in the contest is entirely up to you. Whether you choose to compete or not, you’ll still have the opportunity to display your artwork at the Naples Botanical Garden and enjoy the chance to win fantastic prizes. It’s more than a competition—it’s a fun and engaging celebration of creativity that brings EVERYONE together!
Nature
At ANI, we use the theme of Nature because it not only inspires creativity but also fosters a deep connection with the world around us—something particularly meaningful for individuals with additional needs. Both art and being in nature offer powerful ways to express oneself, enhance well-being, and build confidence. This theme invites artists to explore the outdoors and reflect on subjects such as animals, landscapes, seascapes, celestial skies, flora, and fauna.
We welcome interpretations in all forms—whether representative, abstract, or conceptual—using mediums like painting, drawing, fiber art, photography, sculpture, or collage. Through this blend of art and nature, we aim to create a space where creativity flourishes, and individuals can express their unique perspectives.
Submission Guidelines:
To exhibit your artwork at the “Celebration of Creation” reception at Naples Botanical Garden, you must first participate in the Celebration of Creation by uploading your artwork to Additional Needs, Inc. (ANI). Only artists who have submitted their work through ANI’s platform will be eligible to showcase their piece at the reception.
Artwork must be dropped off at the entrance of Naples Botanical Garden on Friday, January 23rd between 10:00 AM and noon. Families dropping off artwork will receive complimentary admission to the Garden, providing a special opportunity to explore its beauty.
For paintings and pictures, please ensure they are beautifully framed and ready to be displayed along the Garden’s enchanting aisles. Your artwork will shine even brighter when it’s presented in a way that complements its creativity and beauty.
After the reception, we kindly ask that you take your artwork home with you. If you’re unable to do so, you can pick it up on Monday, January 26th, between 10 AM and Noon at the Naples Botanical Garden entrance.
We are eagerly anticipating a wonderful celebration of art and creativity at the Naples Botanical Garden!
- Please ensure all pictures and paintings are framed for an elegant display.
- For questions regarding artwork transportation or display, contact us at info@additionalneeds.info or reach out to Doug Sharpe at (239) 298-1499.
Reception and Awards Ceremony:
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Naples Botanical Garden for partnering with Additional Needs, Inc. to host the 2025-2026 Art Contest Reception and Awards Ceremony. This free event will showcase artworks from five different age groups, ranging from Kindergarten to adults with additional needs.
- Date: January 24th, 2026
- Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Location: Naples Botanical Garden
- RSVP: Please RSVP to the Naples Botanical Garden to attend the reception. RSVP here.
Individual Age Groups:
Team Age Groups:
Prizes:
- $100 for the winner of each age category.
- All artists receive a participation certificate and are entered into national and local prize drawings.
- Local artists (Collier or Lee County, FL) are eligible for a one-year family membership to Naples Botanical Garden.
Additional Awards
- One artist will be selected as Additional Needs, Inc.'s Featured Artist for 2026 and receive $100.
- Special prizes and a drawing will be held at the reception on January 24th, 2026.
Timeline:
-
October 1st, 2025
Registration Begins
-
December 31st, 2025
Entry Deadline
-
January 2nd-6th, 2026
Public Voting
-
January TBA, 2026
Finalists Announced
-
January 24th, 2026
Winners Announced At The Reception
Previous Contest Results
- Contest Results
2023-2024 Winners
- Contest Results
-
Featured Artist for 2024:
Layla with “Autumn Waterfall” - Winner of the Year Family Membership to Naples Botanical Garden: Madalena with “Inspired by Faith”
- ANI Choice Award Artist for 2024: Emilio with “Hoot” In the Night
- Thanks to Mrs. Martin’s Amazing Students and their Friendship Flower, ANI now has Team Categories
- Contest Results
2022-2023 Winners
-
Adult Category:
Bart with “Birds of Texas” -
9-12 Grade Category:
Layla with “Great Horned Beauty” & Indiana with “Love Blooms” -
6-8 Grade Category:
Jeremiah with “Fall Trees” -
3-5 Grade Category:
Kaylyn with “Butterfly Lavender Field”
- Contest Results
-
Featured Artist for 2023:
Zofia with “Elefante” - Winner of the Year Family Membership to Naples Botanical Garden: Skyler with “Tree”
- Contest Results
2021-2022 Winners
-
Adult Category:
Gargi with “The Desert” -
9-12 Grade Category:
Zofia with “Chameleon A Self Portrait” -
6-8 Grade Category:
Indiana with “Frog Prince” -
3-5 Grade Category:
John with “Autumn Maple Tree” -
K-2 Grade Category:
Owen with “Silent Forest”
- Contest Results
-
Featured Artist for 2022:
Jackson Bowdish - Winner of the Year Family Membership to Naples Botanical Garden: Sebastian with “Colors of Nature”
Video Gallery 2022-2025 Celebration of Creation
Artwork for 2022-2025 Celebration of Creation
Sponsors & Partners
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our 2024-2025 sponsors for their generous support, which makes the Celebration of Creation possible.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We are actively seeking sponsors to support this event and provide more prizes. If you’re interested, please click here to register as a sponsor.