Bonita Springs Art Festival Expected to be Huge Southwest Florida, HUGE

Bonita Springs boasts one of the largest arts and cultural centers in the region, according to this article from the Naples Daily News, so its no surprise artists travel every year to the sunny Southwest Florida community for the Bonita Springs National Art Festival, one of the most highly ranked art festivals in the country, put on by the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs.

The 31st Annual Festival will be held at Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., where guests can view and purchase art from 200 new and award-winning artists hailing from 32 states, Canada and Europe to display a variety of fine art paintings, jewelry, glass, sculpture, clay works and photography.

“Our festivals introduce hundreds of artists to residents and visitors of Bonita Springs,” said Susan Bridges, President of Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs. “Part of what makes our festival so unique is the mix of top notch well-known artists who return to our festivals each year to display their art side by side with new award-winning artists chosen through our highly selective jury process. We are thrilled that our festival brings thousands of attendees to Riverside Park from Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero Marco Island, Ft. Myers — many, for the first time.”

The image of this vase by Jon White was taken from http://www.oddinq.com.

Take first time Bonita Springs National Art Festival participant, ceramic artist Jonathan White, who is looking forward to showcasing his work to the Bonita Springs Art community.

“I look closely at these structures and imagine how I can translate elements to my sculptural vessels. I hand build or throw each piece depending upon its scale and form. I seek a harmony between function and ornament to transform the vessel into a sculptural object. As I create each piece, I am keeping in mind my rich, flowing- matte glazes that will enhance its form and surface.”

And one of the festivals premier award winning artists, Jeannie Maddox is back to display and sell her larger than life works that capture the rare, perfect moment of a subject’s life when they appear completely content and alive and not incidentally, submerged in water, according to the article in the Fort Myers News-Press.

“To the viewer, my paintings appear to focus on photo realism,” says Maddox. “As an artist, my journey is through small abstract areas of shape, color and contrast, that, when completed and taken as a whole constantly surprise me by becoming hyper-real. I often say that I am a photo realistic painter who paints abstractly!”

The article says there will be ample free parking on site, but it wouldn’t hurt to get there early to avoid this from happening.

The festival starts at 10 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m. this weekend—Saturday & Sunday March 8 & 9.

The event is free, but a $5 donation to support the Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs is appreciated.

We hope to see you there!