Celebrate spring with some amazing art and floral festivals!
Winter Park Art Festival
Be a part of the 60th annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival’s annual celebration of the arts, held March 15 – 17 along Winter park’s historic and charming Park Avenue and in Central Park. With more than 300,00 visitors and 225 top-rated fine artists, art lovers and festival attendees anticipate this three-day weekend event each year.
Consider joining the Patrons Program for additional perks. The Patrons Program was created to provide support of the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival artists through dedicated funds pledged to purchase artwork during the annual show. By participating, Patrons make monetary pledges for given levels of spending. Up to 90 percent of your contribution stays with you to purchase art and the remainder goes to support The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival. This financial commitment to the purchase of art generates enthusiasm in the artist community and attracts the most outstanding artists who display on the outdoor circuit. For more information on the Patrons Program and the festival, visit wpsaf.org.
Festival of Fine Arts and Flowers
Prepare to bloom with excitement at the Council of 101’s new springtime fundraiser Festival of Fine Arts & Flowers, taking placing March 29 – 31 at the Orlando Museum of Art. The festival will be a museum-wide showcase that combines spectacular fresh floral arrangements with works from the Orlando Museum of Art’s permanent collection and current exhibitions.
This year’s special guest is garden, floral and interior designer James Farmer. Farmer is the author of best-selling books A Time to Plant, A Time to Celebrate, A Place to Call Home and more. Special events throughout the festival include a ‘60s-inspired Flower Power Party, speaking presentation and book signing by James Farmer, Appraisal Days, Sunday Jazz & More, and Blossoms & Blooms.
General admission is $15 per person or three-day admission is $25 per person. The event, put on by the Council of 101, is a fundraiser for the Orlando Museum of Art. For more information, visit omart.org or call 407-896-4231 x254. http://omart.org
Winter Park Paint Out
The Ablin Polasek Museum lakefront sculpture gardens and gallery will be free to the public during the 11th Annual Winter Park Paint Out, April 21 – 27. Twenty-five acclaimed plein air artists will paint live at the Polasek Museum and favorite Winter Park and Orlando locations. Art lovers are invited to watch the artists work, view recently completeld works in the Polasek’s “wet room” gallery and online daily, and attend free painting demos throughout the week. Artwork created during the Winter Park Paint Out will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds going to support the preservation, maintenance, and operations of the Museum. This is a juried art festival with beloved Florida artists and exceptional out-of-state participants, including Morgan Samuel Price, Don Sondag and Matthew Cornell.
Ten free, two-hour instructional demos will take place during the week-long event, with diverse topics ranging from cloud study courses to how to capture moving objects. A highlight of the week is the “Sunset Paint-In” on Lake Maitland, in which the public is welcome to watch the magic unfold as artists race to catch the color of the sunset. The Festival closes with the Garden Party on Saturday, April 27, from 6-9pm, at the Museum. At this ticketed party, guests can meet the artists, purchase their work, and see the entire exhibition of more than 200 freshly-created paintings while enjoying food and company. Paintings are also posted online in real-time as they are finished and can be viewed at winterparkpaintout.com so collectors anywhere can follow the event and purchase the works.
2019 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
Welcome spring’s arrival with a multisensory selection of vibrant displays and captivating experiences at the 2019 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, March 6 – June 3. The Festival is a fun-filled destination for guests of all ages—and the perfect place for nearly every member of the family to nurture their sense of curiosity and discovery.
Highlights include: Delectable bites and libations at various outdoor kitchens; dozens of world-renowned, Disney-themed topiaries; breathtaking garden spaces and wildlife habitats; inspirational exhibits, a “How-To” Garden and engaging tours; and an outdoor concert series featuring fan-favorite bands and more. Get all the details and tickets at disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival/.