The 40th Annual Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in Tampa, Florida

There is more to do in Florida than meets the eye. Florida has some known areas that are art capitols; such as New Smyrna Beach. There are the Highwaymen Artists, who in the last few years, were inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. Art is celebrated in this state. There are some big jury art shows that attract thousands of people and competing artisans from all over the state and world.

The 40th^th annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts takes place in 2010 in March, and is a top-rated fine art and craft show, taking place in Tampa Florida's park section. Nearby Tampa and Franklin streets are closed to traffic, allowing pedestrians to walk and visit the set number of artists in their spot. The weekend on the 7th and 8^th is when visitors at the festival can walk the streets and talk one-on-one with participating artisans. This is both an opportunity for the artists to showcase their works, and make potential contacts. The art festival got its start in 1970, and has steadily grown. Since then, the average attendance has reached over two hundred thousand people, making this show the place to network for artists looking to reach a broader audience outside of their comfort zone within the studio.

Art enthusiasts from all walks of life come to Franklin Street and Lykes Gaslight Square Park, where the festival is held, to experience culture and buy art. Live music plays in sections, people also picnic on the grass. There is food and drink available if you forget to pack a lunch.

Though the atmosphere is light and jovial, it is an event taken seriously by artists and those involved within the event. Taking the top prize is a boost to a professional artists career, and the prize is also monetary.

Artists sign up months in advance to secure their spaces, or spot. The artists display and sell their work in covered booths set up in the park before the festival. There is an array of mediums and unique pieces of all sizes on display at the festival. One may find landscape paintings depicting Florida, including oils, acrylic and watercolor, photographic art images, print making art, fiber art, ceramic art, sculptured glass art, carved wood art, digital art, pencil and ink drawings, mixed medium art, fine art, craft art and fine craft art. Works are displayed and sold as functional pieces, decorative pieces, and as body adornment; including jewelry. Some art is regionally from Florida, and participating artists come from all over the state; many with Florida and regional inspired themes.

Pre-jurors have the pain staking process of choosing from over one thousand entrees, and narrow it down to just three hundred participants. The first day of the festival is on Saturday, and a juror walks around, pulling pieces worthy of competition. The biggest prize is the prestigious Raymond James Financial Best of Show Award; worth $15,000 dollars.

This festival is open to all kinds of artists. The Emerging Artist Program helps to establish new artist careers, and local Young Artists are given space to display their art. The Children's Art Activity Area is where children get individualized instruction on painting and clay sculpting from a professional artist. The art festival is fun for a whole family of art enthusiasts!

Dates
March 7: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March 8: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location
Franklin Street and Lykes Gaslight Square Park in downtown Tampa

Links:
http://www.gasparilla-arts.com/about.htm