How many have been inspired while strolling ArtFest Fort Myers? May as well ask. There will be 206 artists plying every medium — from woodcarving and furniture-making to blown glass to paintings in different genres — in the same location.
Creativity is inspired in unexpected ways. One high school festival volunteer became intrigued with a ceramist’s work that included fossils in finished pieces, and he changed his course of study. He became an archeologist. “It’s cool to think that his, or that kind of, interest was sparked at an art festival,” says ArtFest Associate Director Jeanne Seehaver.
Martin Figlingski's painting is the artwork that appears on the 2018 ArtFest poster.
The weekend-long event “provides an unparalleled art experience to the entire community, stimulating the creativity of children and adults. I always look forward to seeing the artwork of 200 artists chosen from more than 900 who applied. It refreshes my soul and inspires me,” says ArtFest Executive Director Sharon McAlister.
ArtFest continues to expand. It begins on Friday evening, February 2, with a sneak peak of about 65 artists open to the public and a VIP reception. The show runs Saturday and Sunday, February 3 and 4, along the Caloosahatchee River in downtown Fort Myers.
Whether you are a practicing artist, first-time or long-time collector, or simply want to stroll in fresh air amongst artisanal finery, ArtFest draws a diverse crowd. Going into its 18th season, it’s a place where families can create together. Interior designers head over with a detailed list of clients’ vacant niches and open walls they are looking to fill with to-scale works that may fill out the palette, texture or theme of a room. (Home designers do this, too.) Teenagers can confab: They are performing live performances scheduled throughout the weekend, have work exhibited in the Art Under 20 show or are participating in the sidewalk chalk-art display. Collectors augment their assemblage; browsers and buyers exchange ideas with artists on their process and perspective.
Tailor your experience
Interior decorators and home designers
If you are looking for a specific piece, rule No. 1 is to measure the space. Looking for a trunk, lamp, chandelier, two-dimensional artwork or three-dimensional sculpture? Measure first. Seehaver says artists are typically willing to bring a piece or two to an interested party’s (or client’s) home to see if it works.
Families
If you have high-school teens, there are many opportunities to get them engaged — and build a portfolio of artwork, resume and, perhaps, earn cash prizes. For those with young children, the Publix Art Yard is full of hands-on projects provided by creative and expressive nonprofits and businesses, face painting, performances and a public art project featuring “roly-poly characters and critters.” The Young Art Collectors booth is a kids-only zone where children can pick out whatever strikes their fancy for $5. “They can certainly go visit the artist afterward. We are creating art collectors of the future,” Jeanne says.
Collectors
You can visit artfest.org to see a listing of the participating artists, broken down by medium. A program with a listing and map of the festival layout (in addition to other programming) is also provided; cut-through paths allow visitors to make a beeline to their destination. “The beauty of ArtFest is that it’s a very walkable show. I have been to some where there are 300 to 400 exhibitors, and it’s tough to do that in a day,” Jeanne says.
Newbie collectors
The biggest draw of ArtFest is the wide range of work at a wide range of price points. You can purchase something that speaks to you, a limited-edition giclée or reproduction at a lower price than an original, or something utilitarian. Jeanne says she brought home a wood-turned piece that her husband turned into a repository for his shelled nuts. The artist didn’t stipulate its use: the consumer did. A painting she bought in California was first shown in their son’s room and has moved to the family room, then breakfast nook. “If you find a piece you love, you can find a place for it.”