GULFPORT, FLORIDA: The Gulfport Merchants Chamber is proud to present the Fifth Annual Gulfport Fine Arts Festival on Saturday and Sunday, February 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. The Festival is held in Gulfport’s scenic waterfront Veteran’s Park (5350 31st Avenue South). The event is a juried “boutique” show, focusing solely on fine art and fine craft, with an award for Best in Show. There is no charge for admission. The event is open to all and is family and pet-friendly.
Over 45 artists are expected to participate in the event, offering work for display and sale. Among them are these four vibrant, talented artists.
Doug D’souza uses the process of enameling to create beautiful pieces of wearable art. He prefers to torch fire, which offers more control as he watches the fusing process unfold. He also uses natural stones, acrylic and glass in his designs, set in hand fabricated traditional and alternative mixed metals.
Linda McAdams creates gel release (pulled) transfers of hand burnished images on wood panels and veneers, with the wood grain playing an integral part of the finished work.
Dawn Waters “paints” portraits with fiber using a felting needle. The process is like tattooing, but with wool, sometimes incorporating wet-felted flowers into her creations. Viewers often think the work is created with paint, but it’s all dyed wool.
Curtis Whitwam uses watercolor to portray an array of natural scenes and patterns, including the shape of mangrove roots, the branches of oak trees, schools of fish, or the swirls on the waters’ surface
The event venue, Veteran’s Park, is a scenic location overlooking Boca Ciega Bay. It is adjacent to Gulfport’s Shore and Beach Boulevards, the hub of Gulfport’s vibrant Waterfront District with a collection of all-independent restaurants, pubs, shops, art studios and galleries. Parking in the area is convenient and free. A free trolley will also offer visitors round-trip transportation to the Festival from remote parking locations.
The Gulfport Fine Arts Festival is co-sponsored by the Gulfport Merchants Chamber and the City of Gulfport. Visit Gulfport Fine Arts Festival on Facebook, or contact Brenda McMahan by email to brendamcmahonceramics@gmail.com For more information about Gulfport and other events in the area, go to VisitGulfportFlorida.com.