|
About Us
Our History...Ourwe
decided to move the event to the front of Longleaf on a larger parcel of
land.
The Suncoast Arts Fest was awarded
the Event of the Year in 2009 by the Pasco County
Tourism Development Council!
In 2009, the art show moved to The
Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, Florida, 2 miles
east of I-75. Because of the success of the fine arts
event at this location... 70,000 visitors, 85 incredible
fine artists and craftsmen, the live broadcast of WMNF
88.5fm throughout the weekend coupled with incredible
live performances from regional professional
entertainers and community youth entertainers, The Shops
at Wiregrass became the new home for the Suncoast Arts
Fest fine arts event. The future event dates changed
from early May to January so as not to conflict with
other local art shows.
In 2008, the art show moved to the
seventeen acre parcel located at the corner of SR 54 and
Starkey Blvd, and we changed our name to the Suncoast
Arts Fest. Though the primary focus of the event is to
promote fine artists and craftsmen, we were joined this
year by WMNF 88.5fm Community Public Radio and the
addition of Taste of Pasco. The best community youth
entertainment became a focus, and youth performers from
all over Pasco County filled slots in between the great
entertainment brought in by WMNF 88.5fm radio, with Al
"Coffee" McDaniel, Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets, Pickford
Sundries, Hybrid Groove the event became a festival of the arts,
primarily showcasing and WMNF with live entertainment
into the show.
Our 2007
included sixty juried artists, as well as local
10th-12th grade emerging artists. Wonderful
musical entertainment was provided, and the public
responded enthusiastically. Because of the size the art
show was growing to, we decided to move the event to the
front of Longleaf on a larger parcel of land.
On December 10th, 2005, the 1st Annual Longleaf Fine
Arts on the Village Green was held. Twenty
three fine artists from all over the US were juried into our show. To
highlight community artists, thirty of “Pasco’s Finest” artists were
selected to represent the variety of fine artists and fine craftsmen
locally. Our "Emerging Artists" consisting of 10th grade through 12th grade students, were
given an opportunity to display their finest work as well!
Our 2007 included sixty juried artists, as well as
local 10th-12th grade emerging artists. Wonderful musical
entertainment was provided, and the public responded enthusiastically.
Because of the size the art show was growing to, we decided to move the
event to the front of Longleaf on a larger parcel of land.
In 2009, the art show moved to The
Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, Florida
Our Corporation - Fine
Arts of the Suncoast
Fine Arts of the Suncoast, Inc. is a 501(c)(3)
not-for –profit corporation whose mission is to develop a community
culture that embraces the arts. The corporation is organized
exclusively for charitable and promotional purposes, including, without
limitation to accomplish the following purposes:
-
Provide a quality fine arts show within the Pasco
County.
-
Promote all arts for children in Pasco County.
-
Increase the awareness of the arts in Pasco
County.
Our Beneficiary - Art for Kids in Pasco County
Raising funds for the benefit of Art For Kids in
Pasco County is a primary goal that this event works towards. Each
year, funds raised will go toward helping the advancement of services
for visual and performing art needs of kids in Pasco County schools,
both public and private.
Every year at the event, a special container will be
in clear sight where visitors are welcome to drop off new art supplies.
These art supplies are provided to Pasco County schools, both public and
private.
In 2010, our goal is to form a
website built by select students that will be geared
towards showing youth where to find college degrees
and training in the creative industry fields. In the
last year, we have met with well known Florida
colleges and other arts partners to form the site.
We have also worked with Tampa Bay Businesses for
Culture and the Arts (TBBCA.org), a partner
organization that sees the value of the arts in
business and community. We are looking for website
experienced high school students that can help make
this site youth saavy and parent friendly. Students
are encouraged to contact Pam Marron at
pmarron@tampabay.rr.com if interested in this
opportunity!
The 2009 SAF funds are
being used to promote elementary art where there
have been cuts due to lack of funding in Pasco
County.
The 2008 SAF raised funds that
were used to send fifty 11th - 12th graders to the
Ringling College of Art and Design for "Portfolio
Day", where 53 national arts colleges review works
of aspiring art students in a variety of creative
fields.
The 2007 show raised enough funds
for five "Art to Go' teaching trunks full of visual
and performing arts resources. These trunks can
be used by all Pasco County schools and trunk themes
are:
-
Modern Art: including books,
videos, posters, sculptures and mobiles.
-
Printmaking: including books,
videos, lesson plans, Gyotaku fish print models,
brayers and ink trays.
-
Theater: Viola Spolin - Theater
Game File, on stage theater games, activities for
kids, props (all from Spolin Collection).
-
Egypt: Artifacts
-
Native American Art
In 2005,
fine artist Christopher Still along with our organization
made a presentation of ten of his murals depicting Florida
history. These framed prints along with interactive
audio CD’s and teacher lessons were placed in a “traveling
tub” that can be used by all Pasco County Schools both
public and private, K-12. The original murals
currently hang in the House of Representatives located
in Tallahassee, Florida. Pasco County school board
members, art teachers, students and the public were
invited to Longleaf Elementary School for this presentation.
Testimonials
"Proceeds from the show will be used to enhance arts
education in our schools. This will be a wonderful way for many
different community members to come together for a common cause that
will benefit us all. I am certain this show will attract tourists to our
community, eventually becoming an anticipated annual event."
~ Mike Fasano
State Senator
District 11
"A firm commitment to visual and performing arts is
the hallmark of a great community. One of the best ways to build that
commitment is through fine art shows. These events make the arts
accessible to a broad audience, while also fostering a sense of place
and community identity. The Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green
complements the Gasparilla, Mainsail, and Dunedin Art Harvest shows, and
promises to match those shows in both quality of the art and the benefit
to the surrounding area."
~ Frank Starkey
"An arts festival such as this one benefits the local
community financially by attracting a wide variety of visitors who not
only spend money on arts purchases and associated things like food, but
also get acquainted with the neighborhood and might want to shop and
move there."
~ Melinda Chavez
Executive Director
Tampa Bay Business Committee for the Arts
"Great venue for a fine art show - it has a hometown
feel. In my various roles in the arts community, I've had more
people offer positive comment about that show - artists and visitors
alike."
~ Lynn Whitelaw
Director
Leepa - Rattner Museum of Art
If you would like to submit a testimonial, please
email your comments to
Testimonials@SuncoastArtsFest.com
|
