Through their eyes: Art show features images captured by Immokalee students
The Floridant/10232436

NAPLES, Fla. - Floridant -- Seeing the Bigger Picture, a unique art show that featured stunning photography from students as young as 4 years old, brought nearly 150 art lovers and foodies to The Collective in support of Guadalupe Center.

Held March 30 at the contemporary Naples venue, guests at Seeing the Bigger Picture enjoyed nibbles and noshes handcrafted by chefs at Crave Culinaire and colorful cocktails prepared by liquid chefs from the Twisted Trotter, all with DJ Memphis setting the tone. The highlight of the event, though, was an opportunity to view a diverse collection of photography from Guadalupe Center students, who were given cameras and asked to capture meaningful moments in their daily lives. Images depict their lives at home, school and locations around Immokalee, and feature the people and places that are their sources of inspiration, admiration and excitement.

"Students as young as preschoolers and as old as college students captured images that are meaningful to them," said Guadalupe Center President Dawn Montecalvo. "As adults, we see the world our way, but children have an entirely different perspective on the people and places around them. Seeing the Bigger Picture wasn't just about the image; it was about reflecting on the life of the person behind the lens."

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All artwork was available for purchase through an in-person and online auction, which also included spa treatments, chocolate indulgences, fitness classes, shopping excursions, culinary experiences, luxury staycations and vacations, jewelry, golf, photography sessions and more. Proceeds from Seeing the Bigger Picture, which surpassed $50,000, support more than 1,900 Immokalee students who are enrolled in Guadalupe Center's nationally accredited Early Childhood Education Program, After-school Tutoring & Summer Enrichment Program and college-preparatory Tutor Corps Program.

Student artwork included photos of boaters at Lake Trafford, airplanes at Immokalee Regional Airport, Southwest Florida beaches, a fish swimming in water, a tree growing in the back yard, plants growing in the garden and other images.

"Our goal for this event was to introduce new people to Guadalupe Center," said Cortney Howgate, who chaired the event's host committee. "We wanted it to be a relaxed, pressure-free evening with good food and great drinks, and hopefully everyone walked away knowing a little bit more about Guadalupe Center."

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Host committee members included Jennifer Burch, Olga DeCaprio, Cassie Deifik, Vanessa Forster, Kassie Koroghlian and Beca Linz.

Sponsors included Cortney & Jonathan Howgate, Dyan & John Smith, Tarren & Anna Bragdon, Varnum, Fuse Specialty Appliances, McGarvey Custom Homes, High Tide Studio & Gallery Fine Art, Seacrest Country Day School, Kassie & Michael Koroghlian, Terri Moellers-Douglas Elliman Real Estate, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Mic Fox and Mom's Club of Naples.