Bears Across Collier: Bringing Art, Education, and Wildlife Conservation Together

Bears Across Collier brought student craftsmanship, local artists, and wildlife conservation together through a collaborative project in 2022.

Students in Palmetto Ridge High School’s Construction Academy built wooden bear sculptures, which 22 local artists transformed into individual works of art. The completed sculptures were displayed at the Norris Center from March 21 through April 16, with an auction benefiting the Florida Wildlife Federation’s Southwest Florida office.

An April 16 community event at Cambier Park in Naples brought the sculptures together with artist information, student music, and culinary contributions.

The project’s combination of creativity and environmental purpose reflects interests central to Amanda Zirzow’s practice and Zirzow Gallery’s coverage of the local arts community. It offered an engaging way to introduce conversations about habitat protection and human-wildlife coexistence while celebrating the work of students and artists.