By NewsLine Staff
mail@floridanewsline.com
Mandarin Art Festival, an Easter weekend family tradition since 1968, reunites more than 100 artists with the warm welcome of the south Jacksonville community. Set for March 30 – 31, 2024 the festival celebrates all that’s great about Mandarin — abundant fertile landscape, colorful creativity, and warm hospitality under moss-draped historic oaks.
“Every year, a tapestry of neighbors, friends, and families weave in and out of color-filled booths showcasing an array of artistic talent and expression,” said event chair, Susie Scott. “Because it’s a juried show, the curated work of both fine art exhibitors and fine crafters is displayed, with booths laid out so that everyone sees the variety, skill and artist’s vision to best advantage.”
Returning 2023 Best-in-Show winner, John Cheer, emigrated from China to suburban Los Angeles as a 12-year-old. He had to quickly learn English and how to earn a living all while attending high school. Despite his love of all visual arts, it was pottery that found him. He studied ceramics in college, but supported himself working in an auto-body shop. That familiarity with torch work would eventually influence his ceramic sculpture; his love of scuba diving led him to incorporating glass. Many of his familiar pieces start in a stingray shape. Now living in Allentown, Pennsylvania with immediate family close by, Cheer travels to shows all over the Eastern Seaboard. His strong sense of adventure guides him.
“For me, there is a gratification [in creating] an echo of something greater than us within ourselves,” Cheer said.
Born in Los Angeles is former Community Club board member and successful local Mandarin artist Julie C. Fetzer, who started and managed the Green Market of the Art Festival.
“Everyone was looking to shop local, and I realized we had extraordinary creatives here in our own community,” said Fetzer.
Putting the art in artisanal, Fetzer sought local creative producers. This year’s Green Market will feature Lizzie’s Cheese Straws (despite being picked up by Whole Foods, Lizzie loves Mandarin); Robyn Friedman’s luscious tropical botanicals prints and originals; 16 year-old Keegan Mapa, a free-dried candy maker under the banner Sweet Aloha Treats; Magnolia Artisan Soaps; Queen Bee Honey; Guanabana Artisan Ice Pops; and more locally produced and consumable products.
Fetzer, the artist behind the well-known seven bridges t-shirts, will not be on site this year due to a scheduling conflict but she will be missed at the 2024 Mandarin Art Festival. The Green Market thrives; her influence continues.
The Children’s Art Show tradition inside the historic clubhouse features more than a dozen local elementary and middle schools who showcase their budding artistic talents. The Festival offers a wide variety of food choices in the food court, an old-fashioned home-made Bake Sale, live music and entertainment.
“These amazing artists and vendors travel far to share their talent, time and their Easter weekend so come for your one-of-a-kind selection or just for the fun,” said Scott.
The Mandarin Art Festival is a rain or shine outdoor event on March 30 and 31, 2024. Hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. A donation of $2 is suggested at the gates. Parking will be handled off-site with free shuttle service and ride share service is encouraged. All are welcome but no pets are allowed.
Visit mandarinartfestival.org or mandarincommunityclub.org for more information.
Photo courtesy Susie Scott
John Cheer winning Best in Show 2023 with Susie Scott.
