The wall of an empty building on Bayshore Drive in Naples has people talking because it's covered in faces.
From young to old and hilarious to serious, the art project known as, "A Face in the Crowd" promotes diversity in Collier County.
"That's what I'm attracted to - faces," Photographer Michelle Tricca said.
Tricca has covered the 1,000-square-foot wall with black and white headshots of people from all walks of life, shapes, sizes, ages, and nationalities.
The faces mesmerize Tricca and she's turned her passion into a public project, promoting art along Bayshore Drive.
It's been dubbed the "Avenue of the Arts," but hasn't showcased many masterpieces.
Tricca's extensive travels influenced the outdoor, public art display.
"It happens a lot in Miami," Tricca said. "It's all over the place, but you just don't see it too much here in Naples."
Bayshore Gateway Triangle Community Redevelopment Agency is working to revitalize the area and is sponsoring the project.
The headshots are printed on recycled paper and plastered to the wall.
"I drive up and down this street, and I see this building," Tricca said. "I see this beautiful wall every day, and to me it's like a canvas."
It's a canvas she's filled with everyone from spring breakers to war veterans. Tricca says behind each face is a story.
She says the one that stands out to her most is the face of a 56-year-old African American man. "He told me I'm really proud to be on this wall because when I was born, black people weren't allowed to be born in Naples," Tricca said. "His mother had to go to Fort Myers to give birth to him."
More than 700 sets of eyes invite people to take a closer look. Tricca says she wants viewers to pause and not just gloss over an anonymous person.
"Kind of represents all of us, huh?" onlooker Helene Knoll said.
Tricca says her use of uniform black and white removes class lines in economically diverse Collier County.
"You look at this piece and you don't know who's the guy that owns the $16-billion dollar house on the beach and who's the guy that cleans his pool," Tricca said.
