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Art Harvest marking its 45th anniversary

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BY MARK SCHANTZ

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: October 25, 2008

DUNEDIN - Art aficionados from around the Suncoast are expected to converge on Highlander Park the first weekend of November to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Art Harvest.

The event, created by the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin, brings together more than 230 artists for the area's largest autumn-juried outdoor fine art show, said Gwin Londrigan, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit service club.

This is an important year for Art Harvest, Londrigan said. In its more than four decades, the show has gone on through tough economic times, but artists and art lovers have always supported it, she said.

The fact that artists are willing to travel across the country to take part in Art Harvest during the current tough economy times proves its importance in the art world, Londrigan said.

This year Art harvest will offer another good mix, she said. Some artists will make their first appearance at the event, while many stalwarts from years past will show new works.

Throughout the year Art Harvest organizers attend art shows and keep up with the latest news from the art world to help ensure the show remains contemporary, Londrigan said.

From 45,000 to 50,000 spectators are expected to attend the event during its two-days. This is a very affordable fine art show, featuring a wide variety of artists and their works in every price range, she said.

The exhibition, which is a family-oriented event, takes place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1 and 2.

Artists will vie for $27,500 in prizes, including a $5,000 Best of Show, $2,000 Award of Distinction and $1,500 Patron Award.

Under the exhibition's guidelines, artists must be present throughout the entire show. Artwork must be original and produced by or under the direction of the artist.

Works made from commercial kits, molds, patterns, plans, prefabricated forms or are mass produced or imported are not eligible. Ready-made objects that have been embellished, painted, decorated, dyed or batiked are also not eligible.

Studios involved in volume production are not permitted to exhibit.

The featured artist at Art Harvest 2008 is P.J. Commerford. A nationally renowned painter based in Leesburg, Commerford will bring her bright and colorful signature style to this year's event, she said.

Commerford's style incorporates layers of rich transparent color with additives such as dimensional paint, micro-glitter, crushed glass, rock or glass crystals.

The Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin hopes to raise at least $100,000 from this event in commemoration of its 60th anniversary in Pinellas County, organizers said.

In past years, Art harvest proceeds aided the Dunedin Fine Art Center, UPARC Foundation and the "FUN" Bus, which in its heyday provided field trip transportation for more than 50,000 area public school children. The Junior League's current focus is on public awareness and support of the region's foster care system.

The event will include a variety of food vendors and children's hands-on art experience. There is no admission charge.

Highlander Park is at the intersection of Pinehurst Road and Michigan Boulevard. Parking in the Highlander parking lot will be $5 per carload. Parking at Dunedin High School will cost $3 per vehicle.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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