About Us
We are all about art!
ArtFest Fort Myers, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts and cultural corporation whose mission is exclusively:
The creation of public access to a broad array of visual art; nurturing the development and understanding of diverse art forms; supporting arts in education and encouraging the appreciation of the arts in Southwest Florida.
On the first weekend in February 55,000 people come to the riverfront in downtown Fort Myers and enjoy the special opportunities the festival provides:
- meeting visual artists from across the country and around the world,
- sampling fun cuisine,
- visiting special exhibits and artist demonstrations, and
- entertaining their families with interactive art activities and performing arts.
ArtFest Fort Myers, as an organization, is committed to supporting the community that supports us. Our Executive Director, Sharon McAllister, serves as the Chairman of the City of Fort Myers Public Art Committee and as the Vice Chair of the Fort Myers Conference & Convention Council. Sharon also served for 3 years as the Vice Chair of the Florida Festival and Events Association (FFEA) and remains active in support of that organization.
Our staff actively attends meetings of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber; the Southwest Florida Attractions Association the Tourist Development Council and the Fort Myers City Council to provide support and input in our areas of expertise.
ArtFest Fort Myers, as an organization, is also committed to the best practices in the art festival business. We belong to and attend the NAIA, FFEA and ZAPP Directors Conventions. And throughout the year communicate on a regular basis with festival directors throughout the country.
As a not-for-profit organization, ArtFest Fort Myers relies on support from grants, sponsorships, artist and food vendor entry fees, beverage sales, and festival T-shirt sales to fund the art festival and outreach programs.
ArtFest Fort Myers is honored to be the 2010 Chrysalis Award Winner for Sales & Marketing.
Watch as we select 200 artists from the 850 who applied. Choices are tough!!!
ArtFest Fort Myers Staff
Sharon McAllister
Executive Director
sharon.mcallister@artfestfortmyers.com
Jeanne Seehaver
Assistant Festival Director
jeanne.seehaver@artfestfortmyers.com
Carrie Marr
Webmaster
carrie.marr@artfestfortmyers.com
Katie Afflerback
Operations Assistant
katie.afflerback@artfestfortmyers.com
Board of Directors
Teresa Calkins
Sharon McAllister
Judy Weiner
Kristin Woolam
We Are Involved
As one of our community’s most popular, well-known and respected art organizations,
we are ever-aware of our responsibility to be involved in the success of art & culture throughout the area.
We are members, attendees and supporters of:
