Turtles Helping the Town

Auction of 50 sea turtle sculptures collaborate art, environment and charity

Fifty loggerhead sea turtle sculptures, arrayed in colors of the sea, land and air, will find a forever home at the Turtles on the Town auction in Naples. The highest bidder not only receives a piece of art, but supports important Collier County charities―Community Foundation of Collier County, Conservancy of Southwest Florida and United Arts Council of Collier County.

The event on Wednesday, March 9, is at the Conservancy Nature Center in Naples. With the 30th anniversary of the Community Foundation in 2015, Eileen Connolly-Keesler, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Collier County, says, “We thought it’s a great way to tie environment, art and charity together.”

The 50 sea turtles “hatched” in November, when they were placed at various locations in Collier County, where they remained till February. The turtles were embellished by a local artist or artisan working with a life-size fiberglass sculpture. The base was provided by the late Naples artist Kathy Spalding, an environmental advocate and arts supporter. Turtles on the Town is an important project and benefit honoring loggerhead turtles, but also paying tribute to Spalding’s legacy. The designs of the turtles vary from paint, to tile, to shells and some out-of-the-box approaches.

Auction proceeds will be divided equally among the three organizations. Gala participants will enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a seated dinner in the company of the 50 auction turtles and the artists who created them. Open for auction also an aluminum turtle crafted by artist David Ashenbruner, and a bronze loggerhead turtle created by Spalding.

Connolly-Keesler says the first time the 50 sea turtles were all together in November had a strong emotional impact. “Having all the 50 sea turtles at one place is breathtaking,” she says.

For more information, visit turtlesonthetown.com