The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Both artists and visitors flock to Wesley Chapel for arts fest

By

At the Kid’s Art Garden section, Kaitlyn Pratt of Tampa, watches her 1 ½-year-old son, Reid, as he paints a picture using watercolor paints. (Christine Holtzman)

Sunshine and mild temperatures combined to offer perfect weather for the 13th annual Suncoast Arts Fest, at The Shops at Wiregrass on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21.

Paseo Drive was closed to vehicle traffic, so approximately 125 vendors could line the street, showcasing their wares — including photographic prints, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, garden decorations, clothing and more.

The free Kid’s Art Garden area allowed children of all ages to express their creativity through face painting, watercolors, sidewalk chalk and other interactive activities.

The bluegrass folk band Gypsy Wind plays a jazzy number during its set on the afternoon of Jan. 20.

The Emerging Artist exhibit displayed some of the best work created by Pasco County students.   The event included free entertainment throughout the weekend, making this a fun, family friendly gathering.

Proceeds from the annual arts festival benefit arts education in Pasco County public, private and charter schools.

By Christine Holtzman

Published January 24, 2018

 

 

Shane Maiden, left, and his 10-year-old son Shane Jr., of Wesley Chapel, use 3D glasses to admire the various lowbrow pop art works of Vodka Bacon Studios. Artist Nelson Perez, who grew up in Tampa but now lives in St. Louis, states that his art is 2D, but has a 3D effect when viewed with 3D glasses.
At the Land O’ Lakes High School Honor Society booth, Arty Contreras, left, a 2016 graduate of Land O’ Lakes High School, holds a mirror so Penelope Pratt, age 5, of Tampa, can admire herself painted as a blue tiger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melrose Hinton, age 4, of Clearwater, left, gets her face painted as her favorite animal, a butterfly, by Ariana Quiles, age 16, a sophomore at Land O’ Lakes High School.
Bryan Hoag, of Tampa, a cast member with the Bay Area Renaissance Festival, plays the role of ‘Simon Lattaire,’ the village tin smith.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandon Wilde, of Tampa, a cast member with the Bay Area Renaissance Festival, dances in the street as he portrays the character of ‘Mathis Henshawe,’ a master mummer of monologues.
Six-year-old Katie Cullison, left, and her 4-year-old sister Olivia, of Wesley Chapel, use chalk to draw a flower and a heart at the Kid’s Art Garden area of the Suncoast Arts Fest.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply