A $13,000 grant to the Naples Art Association helped launch SOARing through the Arts, a year-long program of free, participatory art instruction to six collaborating nonprofits serving under-served populations in Collier County.

The funds will offer 200 students the opportunity to participate in clay, painting, felting, mixed media and photography classes. Eighteen unique opportunities vary from one-day workshops to four-week classes to be offered to six different organizations.

One Year Later: Over 230 hours of instruction has been completed by six professional teaching artists. Starting in the spring of 2018, classes will be offered at the Judy Sullivan Center in East Naples and in the fall classes will start at two of the counties community centers.