Suncoast Arts Fest Weekend Partners

The Suncoast Arts Fest is a production of Fine Arts of the Suncoast, Inc., a Florida not for profit 501(c)3 with the mission to "promote cultural awareness in Pasco County".

Proceeds from the event benefit "The Arts for Kids" and help supplement funding for arts education in schools.

Progress Energy Art Gallery - Downtown New Port Richey

In downtown New Port Richey, Progress Energy Art Gallery, 6231 Grand Blvd., will have special gallery hours for its exhibition, "A Tropical Wintertime Paradise," featuring work by gallery members presenting images that convey the good fortune residents of the Suncoast enjoy to be here this time of year.

The gallery also is featuring artwork by local VSA students. For more information, call (727) 848-6500.

West Pasco Art Guild - New Port Richey

The West Pasco Art Guild, 6106 Jefferson St., will have a special viewing of its current member exhibition, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Jan. 21, and from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Jan. 22. The display includes artwork inspired by various modes of transportation, complemented by model trains, planes and cars dispersed throughout the gallery.

Artist Nancy Copesy will be on hand to do animal drawings by request from children. Call the West Pasco Art Guild at (727) 841-7732

Pasco Arts Council - Holiday

The Pasco Arts Council's Museum Store, 5744 Mood Road, Holiday, in The Arts Center, adjacent to the Centennial Park Branch Library, will be open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Jan. 21, featuring work by local artists and craftspeople. Visitors also will be able to get a sneak peek at some of the early entrants in the 2012 Art Annual juried exhibition.

Outside The Arts Center, the Centennial Garden Club and Miniature Railroad Club will have activities, and the historic Bake House next door will be open for viewing. Call (727) 845-7322 for more details.
 

New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatics Center - New Port Richey

The New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatics Center, 6630 Van Buren St., will get in on Arts Fest weekend with a children's arts and crafts event. For more information, call (727) 841-4560.
 

PollyWogg Gallery and Labyrinth - Hudson

In the Hudson area, Polly Wogg Gallery and Labyrinth, 18522 U.S. 19 will be open during Arts Fest. With 5,000 square feet of gallery space — featuring pottery, raku, stoneware, glassware, copper and other metal wall art, paintings and wood carvings — the gallery is like a continuous festival of local artists.

Before or after looking through the gallery, guests can step outside for a spiritual breath of fresh air in the stone labyrinth. The winding circular path was made for meditative relaxation. Each rock is hand-painted by children, artists and others, and many display quotes that add to the contemplative atmosphere.

Call Polly Wogg Gallery at (727) 863-5700

Leepa Rattner Museum of Fine Arts - Tarpon Springs

The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Fine Arts, at St. Petersburg College Tarpon Campus, 600 E. Klosterman Road, Palm Harbor, is already in the midst of a celebration of its own as it marks its 10th anniversary with an exhibition titled, "Telling Stories: Ten Years of Collecting."

Jan. 22 is the museum's official birthday party, with free admission and refreshments from 1 to 5 p.m., music, children's activities, docent tours, a book signing and presentation by photographer Herb Snitzer and a performance of "Bettina Bedwell Rattner: Our Modern World" by actress Nan Colton.

This is in addition to the museum's eight permanent galleries, its interactive gallery and museum store. For more information, call (727) 712-5762 or visit http://www.spcollege.edu/central/museum/.