By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
The Easter weekend Mandarin Art Festival tradition continued this year with huge crowds, estimated at approximately 8,000, due no doubt to the gorgeous weather.
“Attendance was strong and stable all weekend,” said Susie Scott, festival supervisor. “We had so many remarks by both patrons and exhibitors commenting on the perfect weather.”
Thousands of guests strolled under the magnificent live oaks of historic Mandarin to savor the creativity of more than 130 artist exhibitors and 15 Green Market vendors. Eight food vendors were also onsite. Attendees enjoyed entering into the historic Mandarin Community Club building to enjoy the Bake Sale and the Children’s Art Show, which featured the works of students from 16 schools.
“We were really excited to welcome more than 50 new artists this year,” Scott said. “Their talents and credentials were remarkable.”
Among these first time exhibitors was a local museum restoration specialist named Joshua Cooper, who, according to Scott, has “masters level painting talent.”
Also making her debut at the Mandarin Art Festival was established local painter Sharon Leehy. Scott noted that each year, the Art Festival welcomes both local as well as national artists.
Scott has been involved with the Art Festival as a volunteer for 25 years and said the hard work is worth it due to her love of the community and love of this event.
The juried and judged fine art and fine craft festival was founded in 1968 and has been an Easter weekend tradition and treat for guests for the past 57 years. It serves as the primary fundraiser for the Mandarin Community Club, a local non profit 501c3 whose mission focuses on preservation, education and beautification.
This year’s winners were:
Best in Show: Michael Nelson
Best Booth Display: Kim Coy Jewelry
Reclaimed/Recycled: Jan Lindahl
Judges’ Choice: Sergei Orgunov, Tim Bullard, Jason Becker, Jesse Kraker, Juan Carlos Cahue, and Ana Obermayr
Awards of Merit: Jami Childers, Dan Bi, Harry and Julie Hearne, Peter Schilling, Robin Holt, and Christine Booras.
“The Mandarin Community Club is so proud to continue this tradition for Mandarin since 1968 and continue to grow and improve year after year,” Scott said.
Photo courtesy Susie Scott
