“The Arts Mean Business”

Did you know that Lee County’s non-profit arts organizations create 2,038 full-time jobs and $68 million in economic activity? (That’s more than the Red Sox and Twins combined!)

Those are some of the eye-opening numbers in “Arts & Economic Prosperity IV,” just released by Americans for the Arts in partnership with Lee County Alliance for the Arts.

It’s true! “The arts mean business.”

The findings from Arts & Economic Prosperity IV send a clear and welcome message: leaders who care about community and economic vitality can feel good about choosing to invest in the arts.
~ Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO, American for the Arts

Click here to download the full report (PDF).

Childhood Revisited

July 31 Seidel_ArtFest Fort MyersMerit

Garry Seidel’s childhood in war torn Berlin, Germany was a catalyst for the themes of his photography that often reflects his impressions of “dark” historic places.  His career began with commercial art in 1960’s New York and has blossomed into a documentation of his life experiences.  Our judges agreed that this award winner has an interesting perspective that makes everyone pause & think.

 

Schwegmann Won First Place 3-Dimensional

Michael Schwegmann sculpts his unique creations out of clay, providing beautiful, thought-provoking objects for us to enjoy.  To paint or not to paint?  Michael won First Place in 3D this season at ArtFest Fort Myers.May 29 Schwegmann_ArtFest Fort Myers 1st3D

Chas Rowe Captures the Essence

 

Who is up for a beautiful day on a Florida river, with vistas of overhanging water oak and cypress, wading birds and, perhaps, a deeper pool along the way? Chas Rowe has captured the peace and tranquility of the nature that surrounds us and his wonderful paintings caught the eye and the hearts of our judges at ArtFest Fort Myers 2013. chasrowe.com

July 3 Rowe_ArtFest Fort Myers Merit

Poster Contest Open to All Artists

ArtFest Fort Myers, Southwest Florida’s premier fine art festival, is pleased to announce an all new Poster/T-shirt Competition for the 2014 festival.  “This competition is open to all professional artists,” explains Sharon McAllister, Executive Director.  “Our Commemorative Poster and T-Shirt always feature inspiring original artwork and we encourage any artist, not just those applying to participate in ArtFest Fort Myers 2014, to submit their artwork for Poster/T-shirt consideration.

The artist whose work is selected for the Poster/T-shirt will be featured in a broad range of print, on line and VIP promotions preceding festival weekend, and continuing throughout the year, as well as a free booth space at ArtFest Fort Myers 2014, a complimentary three night stay at our host hotel, plus an invitation to join us at ArtFest Fort Myers 2015 and much more!

“It has been a great honor to have participated twice as the Poster Artist for ArtFest Fort Myers,” said Tim Parker. “This was a tremendous opportunity to gain a significantly wider audience. The related advertising and promotion of my artwork provided priceless exposure and my great sales certainly were a reflection of the media attention.”

Submissions for this contest must represent original artwork, in a theme that denotes Southwest Florida and is appealing to a broad audience. Entries will be accepted from May 15, 2013 through August 20, 2013 and images can be submitted by email.  For more information, visit our web site ArtFestFortMyers.com and click on Poster Contest or call 239-768-3602

Proceeds from the sales of the Commemorative Poster and T-Shirt help to support the ArtFest Fort Myers’ art education outreach programs – The After School Art Clubs, the Boys and Girls Art Club at Shady Oaks, The Visiting Artist Program and Art Supply Grants.

ArtFest Fort Myers, the annual juried fine art festival, takes place February 1 & 2, 2014 in the Fort Myers River District. Join the experience with 200 professional artists from across the county and around the world; the largest high school art exhibit and competition in south Florida and free interactive art experiences for children of all ages.  For more information, visit  ArtFestFortMyers.com

The Magic is Wargin

Art should spark your imagination and can often take you on an unexpected journey.  ArtFest Fort Myers award winner, Thomas Wargin is a sculptor whose passion for engineering combines with his love of design and the result is pure magic! June 12 Wargin_ArtFest Fort Myers Merit

Best of Show 2013

ArtFest Fort MyersCarolina Cleere, Best of Show winner at ArtFest Fort Myers 2013, is a native Floridian who began her career as an editorial illustrator, with camera in hand.  Her unique process of blending images through photography and painting, combined with her vast collection of vintage doll heads translates into a unique style that “Wow’d” our judges!

Artists Announced for ArtFest Fort Myers 2013!

ArtFest Fort Myers is excited to announce the 200 artists for the fine art festival February 1, 2  & 3, 2013. Over 800 artists from across the country and around the world apply and only the best-of-the-best were chosen.

Get a sneak peek at the artwork at ArtFestFortMyers.com/gallery. You can even click through to the artist’s website and make your art shopping plans.

Certain to delight all attendees are sculpture, painting, ceramics, photography, printmaking, drawing, digital, mixed media, ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, wearable fiber and wood. Be sure to take advantage of this unique opportunity to come to ArtFest Fort Myers and talk to individual artists and buy Made-by the-Artist artwork. They love to share the stories of how their work is created and what inspires them.

To select the 200 artists who will show their work at ArtFest Fort Myers 2013, a panel of five art professionals looked at 3200 images representing the 815 artists who applied to part of the fine art festival.  The jury process takes an entire day and critical decisions regarding which artwork will be a part of the festival come down to averaging the five jury scores.  Artists with the highest scores, in each medium, are invited to attend ArtFest Fort Myers.

“We provide our jury panel, all artists in their own right, with a basic set of criteria”, explains Sharon McAllister, ArtFest Fort Myers Executive Director.  “They are reminded to consider artistic merit, technical competence and presentation, as they score each artists’ work. They always look for that unique combination of craftsmanship and inventiveness that is clearly original. Of course, our jury members bring their own individual criteria to determine excellence in art.  This impartial system insures that the best-of-the-best will be represented at our fine art festival each year. And, we are fortunate to be able to use state-of-the-art equipment at Edison State College to host our jury panel.”

Ben Essenburg: Florida Landscapes

Painting and exhibiting professionally since 1975, Ben Essenburg is proud that one of his four children is also a professional artist. His focus is to create realistic paintings of Florida landscapes and wildlife. People are often sure they recognize a scene, even though they all come from Ben’s imagination.

Ben is the only artist who has juried into our festival all twelve years and we think he deserves that honor! Get in touch with him at www.benwessenburg.com.

Scott Amrhein: Translucent Glass Vessels

It’s not surprising that Scott Amrhein won an award in 2012 — the first time he participated with us! Our judges thought his marvelous translucent glass vessels were unique and exceptional and we’re sure you’ll agree. Check out his glass at www.highcliffstudio.com.

Looking for the Perfect Father’s Day Gift?

ArtFest sponsor Total Wine has a “create your own 6-pack” of beer … could be the perfect gift? Their beer wall has quite the selection!