IMMOKALEE — For the second year, The Immokalee Foundation provided its community with a platform to share its talent while supporting and inspiring artists.

A nod to The Immokalee Foundation’s emphasis on the power of sueños (dreams), this year’s INSPIRING DREAMS ART EXHIBITION took place on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 3, from 2 - 4 p.m. at The Immokalee Foundation’s Program’s Office in Immokalee.

Art lovers from throughout Southwest Florida attended to support Immokalee’s growing arts community.

Immokalee Foundation student Jennifer A. with family viewing her recycled flower sculptures.

The 101 participating artists submitted 146 pieces, many of which were for sale. Artists included Immokalee Foundation and Immokalee High School students, Immokalee Foundation staff members, and community members.

Immokalee Foundation student Daisy H. painting on a large community painting.

Plus, 70 of the artists were elementary school students, part of the Foundation’s Immokalee Readers Literacy program.

Five student artists received a “People Choice Award” and a $50 gift card.

Immokalee Foundation’s Art Education Specialist Jonathan Martinez with two of his paintings.

In addition to event funding courtesy of the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, additional support from Marco Island Center for the Arts and Naples Art took this year’s presentation to a new level.

Though The Immokalee Foundation has an established emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) educational programming, The Immokalee Foundation has embraced the powerful movement from a STEM to a STEAM approach to learning, with the arts receiving equal billing.

This educational approach aligns with Collier County Public Schools’ Academic imperatives that encourage students to explore the world around them, develop and create innovative solutions to problems, think deeply, work collaboratively, and communicate their results.