Fall is here in Florida, and this weekend the 52nd Annual Winter Park Fall Arts Festival will mark the change of seasons and revive an annual community tradition.
This weekend, more than 180 Florida-based artists will gather in the Park Avenue area to exhibit ceramics, digital art, drawing, textiles, arts and crafts, jewelry, paintings, photography, sculpture, and mixed media. The festival is sponsored by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.
“Park Avenue and Central Park have been completely brought back to life, with artists lining the historic boulevards and beautiful paths dotted beneath the oak trees throughout Central Park,” said Addison Kersey, chief marketing officer of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. “There’s live music on the weekends and people are dancing on the lawns, socializing with friends and enjoying drinks in the beer gardens. You’ll also see businesses along Park Avenue booming.”
Over 150,000 people roam the festival aisles and booths throughout the weekend. This event will include live entertainment, sponsor tents, children’s activities, food offerings, and beverages for adults.
Although the massive Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival attracts artists from all over the country, this event focuses exclusively on creators based in the Sunshine State.
“I’m so excited to be able to spotlight just Florida artists with this festival. These artists are entrepreneurs and small businesses themselves,” Kersey said. “By supporting artists, restaurants and entertainers, we support our local and state economies.”
There will be $20,000 in cash prizes up for grabs for participating artists, and prizes ranging from $300 up to $5,000 for creators selected as Best of Show winners.
Additional financial support for artists is provided through the Patronage Program. The $600 package includes two patrons with VIP event access, a catered lunch, $300 in art dollars and one signed festival poster.
Provided by Winter Park Chamber of Commerce
The Winter Park Fall Arts Festival returns on October 11th and 12th, featuring more than 180 Florida-based artists near Park Avenue. (Courtesy of Winter Park Chamber of Commerce)
Orlando-based painter Robert Ross has been named Poster Artist of the Year for his work depicting a yacht near Rollins College on the Winter Park Chain of Lakes.
This weekend, in addition to the art, visitors can stroll the bricks of Park Avenue, but also stop at restaurants and shops along the way, which is closed to traffic.
If you go
The Winter Park Fall Arts Festival will be held at 150 W. Morse Blvd. on Oct. 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At Winter Park. Admission to the show is free. VIP and Patron tickets are available for $100 and $600 (per two patrons), respectively. Parking is available on surrounding streets and in the parking lots at 203 E. Lyman Ave. and 150 E. Canton Ave. in Winter Park. Per city ordinance, pets are not allowed in Central Park. For more information, visit Winterpark.org/autumn-art-festival.
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