ArtFest Fort Myers picks artists for 2010 festival

This season, 852 artists applied to participate in ArtFest Fort Myers, Southwest Florida’s premier fine art festival. These hopeful artists were willing to travel from 45 states, Canada and Israel to bring an unparalleled art experience to this community.

The best-of-the-best, the top 200 artists, have been selected by a panel of five art experts. The artists and their artwork can be previewed at the festival’s Web site, ArtFestFortMyers.com, by clicking on Artist Gallery.

Representing 36 states and Canada, the artwork at the upcoming ArtFest Fort Myers reflects the excellence that has become a hallmark of this annual festival.

“In February, 63 percent of the exhibiting artists will be brand new to our festival,” says Sharon McAllister, executive director. “We are very excited to have such a diverse and exciting group of talented artists joining us at ArtFest Fort Myers 2010 — especially since this year is also our 10th birthday.”

Top: Sculpture by Woodrow Nash from Akron, Ohio. Bottom: Painting by Dennis Davis of Gary, Ind. ArtFest Fort Myers is a juried fine art festival, which means the applying artists’ artwork is reviewed, scores are recorded and the highest scoring artists are invited to participate. In early October, a panel of five art professionals met at Hodges University to review all the applicants’ images and determine the top two hundred artists, who will be exhibiting at ArtFest Fort Myers in February 2010. State of the art technology, generously made available by Hodges University, provided larger-than-life viewing of the spectacular artwork.

The show will include painting, photography, printmaking, drawing, and mixed media, ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, sculpture, wearable, watercolor and wood.

COURTESY IMAGES For more information, visit www.Art- FestFortMyers.com or call 768-3602. 

if you go

>> What: A juried fine art festival featuring 200 national artists, a high school art competition, interactive arts, children’s crafts, fine food and entertainment >> When: Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 6 and 7,from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Opening Night Palettes & Plates Party from 5-9 p.m. >> Where: Downtown Fort Myers on Edwards Drive between Monroe and Lee streets >> Cost: Free admission >>Parking: Adjacent parking lots, street parking and city garages. Look for directional signs to convenient parking with trolley service