Art piece made by William Repreza, a third-grade student, from Hubert O. Sibley K-8 Academy which is one of the auctioned pieces.
On May 18, The Education Fund will host an art auction where every item was created by a Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) student or teacher for this event.
The Education Fund’s For the Love of Art Charity Auction and Honoree Celebration, presented by Ocean Bank, will bring the community together for an evening of original artwork, live music, an open bar, and recognition of successful alumni of Miami-Dade Public Schools.
All proceeds benefit arts education and The Education Fund Ocean Bank Center for Educational Materials, which has provided more than $32 million in free supplies to public school classrooms since 1993.
“Every resource we bring to Miami-Dade County Public Schools starts with a private-sector commitment to public education,” said Linda Lecht, President of The Education Fund. “Businesses donate supplies, teachers and students create extraordinary art, and the proceeds go right back into the classroom.”
“The Art of Found Objects program is a remarkable example of what happens when the community invests in public school students,” said Dr. Jose L. Dotres, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
Guests browse one-of-a-kind art pieces created by Miami-Dade County Public Schools students and teachers, alongside collectible items, at the 2025 For the Love of Art Charity Auction & Honoree Celebration, presented by Ocean Bank at Jungle Island.
“Because Ocean Bank’s longstanding support of The Education Fund, our teachers have access to free supplies, and our students have the opportunity to develop as artists. That kind of investment changes what is possible in a Miami-Dade classroom.”
For the Love of Art is presented by Ocean Bank (Member FDIC), with major support from Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Amazon, The Kirk Foundation, Peacock Foundation, Inc., Knight Foundation, Ken O’Keefe and Jason Stephens, South Florida Business Journal, and Miami Herald.
The evening will also celebrate outstanding graduates of Miami-Dade public schools. The 2026 Public School Alumni Achievement Honorees are:
Hector Aguililla, Principal, Baker Tilly
Dr. Dawn M. Baglos, Chief Human Capital Officer, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Farah Bridges, Director of Litigation, Cleveland Clinic
Ana Marie Cain, CRA Specialist, Bradesco Bank
David J. Clark, SVP of Operations, Broward Health
Dr. Carmen Concepcion, Dean, School of Education, Miami Dade College
Curtis J. Crider, President & CEO, Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association
Karen Shosfy, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, Paramount
Lawrence Kaplan, Former President, Lawrence Factor Inc.
Yara Klukas, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida
Alex Mena, Executive Editor, Miami Herald / el Nuevo Herald
Grant Miller, Owner and Publisher, Miami’s Community Newspapers
Yolanda Nader, CEO/CFO, Dosal Tobacco Corporation
Ken O’Keefe, Founder, Hudson Randolph LLC
Emma Pacetti, Executive Vice President, Grove Bank & Trust
Jose Sirven, Partner, Holland & Knight
Randall Vitale, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Vitale Partners
The Education Fund recognized outstanding Public School Alumni Achievement Award honorees at the 2025 For the Love of Art Charity Auction & Honoree Celebration, presented by Ocean Bank.
Sponsorships are available through May 11. Tickets at educationfund.org/artauction.
The Education Fund’s For the Love of Art Charity Auction and Honoree Celebration will take place on Monday, May 18, at 5:00 p.m., at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132.
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