Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples Raises More Than $1.5 Million at The Color Factory
Community rallies to support educational play in Southwest Florida
NAPLES, Florida (March 4, 2025) – On February 8, more than 380 generous Southwest Florida community members gathered in support of the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (CMON) for its annual gala event, Night at the Museum, raising more than $1.5 million in support of children and families in the community.
“We are beyond grateful to our community of supporters who continue to believe in CMON’s mission to be a place for children and families to play, learn, and dream together,” said CEO Jonathan Foerster. “It’s inspiring to see the generosity of Southwest Florida in action once again.”
Chaired by Ashley and Adam Gerry and Lily and Arsen Ustayev, with honorary chairs Barbara and John Jordan, Night at the Museum: The Color Factory provided guests with an experience unlike any other gala in the area. Decked out in their most colorful costumes and artful attire, patrons dined on bespoke cuisine and cocktails from Creative Edge Parties, entertainment from DJ Cat Shell, and an outstanding live auction curated by this year’s event committee which included an incredible trip to Napa which included an Andrea Bocelli concert, a New York Fashion Week experience, an original painting from Romero Britto and golden ticket to his Palace, VIP Reserve Access to Prime Social Reserve, a trip to Milan for a coveted Dolce & Gabbana fashion show, and so much more. This year’s silent auction boosted over 80 packages, raising a record-breaking $136,000 in the silent auction alone! Guests also had the opportunity to purchase a special bottle of Luminous Dom Perignon to be brought to their table, delivered with flair!
The museum featured a video about their Discovery Night program at the museum, which brings children in foster care, shelters, or who have experienced trauma to a private and secure evening at the museum. To further show the breadth and depth of the museum and its purpose in the community, guest speaker and CMON staff member, Olivia DeAngelis shared her story about how much the museum has meant to her as an adult with autism who had dreamed of being a teacher but was unable to do so.
Special guest artist, Romero Britto, was in attendance and generously donated a piece of artwork to CMON’s fine art collection as well as a piece that was auctioned for $50,000 in the live auction. Romero Britto, founder of the Happy Art Movement, is an internationally renowned artist who has created an iconic visual language of happiness, fun, love, and hope all its own inspiring millions worldwide. Brazilian-born and Miami-made, Romero has made it to the top and is considered one of the most famous and celebrated living visual artists in the globe.
Décor was provided by 50Fifty Creative Services and costumed entertainers greeted guests from Pzazz Productions. WINK News morning anchors Corey Lazar and Lindsey Sablan served as the evening’s emcees, and the auctioneer for the evening was Rick Gallo.
CMON wants to especially thank the following people and organizations who made Night at the Museum: The Color Factory so fantastic: Lily and Arsen Ustayev, Ashley and Adam Gerry, Barbara and John Jordan, Simone and Scott Lutgert, Shelly and Ralph Stayer, Romero Britto, Rebecca and Nancy Maddox, Marissa Collections, Tulia Catering & Events by Vincenzo Betulia, Prime Social Reserve, Valerie and Jeff Gargiulo, Saks Fifth Avenue, Gulfshore Life, The Naples Press, and WINK News, as well as all of the table sponsors, underwriters, and supporters.
About the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples is a brain-building powerhouse and Southwest Florida’s first museum devoted for children and families to learn through play. With hands-on exhibit galleries, the accessible museum invites visitors of all ages to journey through the swamps of the Everglades, weave through a maze, climb a two-story banyan tree, or experiment with the water play station. Children can become a weather forecaster, a farmer, a chef, a fisherman, an artist, an architect, or a veterinarian; explore the cold of an igloo, the whoosh of the wind, the sound of the sea, and the effects of gravity. Throughout the day special activities encourage our guests to get involved, try something new and be energized. CMON offers a variety of interactive exhibits providing kids with education, play, learning, science, technology, engineering, inventions, space exploration, art, math, storybooks, creation, building, sensory, and child development.