The Suncoast Arts Fest Offers Fine Art Close to Home

Written by Dara Tucker Sunday, 03 January 2010 13:39

December 2009

The Suncoast Arts Fest Presented by Wesley Chapel Hyundai/Mazda at The Shops at Wiregrass keeps getting better each year. On December 10, 2005, the first annual Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green was held. Twenty-three fine artists from across America were juried into the show, and 30 of Pasco’s talented artists were selected to represent the variety of fine artists and fine craftsmen locally.  In 2008, the art show moved to the corner of SR 54 and Starkey Blvd., and changed the name to the Suncoast Arts Fest (SAF).  Last year SAF moved to The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel where more than 70,000 visitors enjoyed visual and performing art.  With 120 juried visual artists and craftsman, musical entertainment, the Taste of Wiregrass, a kid’s interactive art area, emerging youth artists on display, and chalk artists, the January 23 and 24, 2010 event is set to be even better.

Art with a Cause

Pam Marron, Co-Chair of SAF, explains that although providing a quality fine arts show to increase the awareness of the arts in Pasco County is the driving force of Fine Arts of the Suncoast, Inc. (which the Suncoast Arts Fest is a production of), the ultimate desire is to pass the benefits and appreciation of all arts on to local youth.  As a Florida not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, with the mission to promote cultural awareness in Pasco County, proceeds from The Suncoast Arts Fest Presented by Wesley Chapel Hyundai/Mazda at The Shops at Wiregrass, go to Art for Kids in Pasco County, which helps supplement funding for arts education in schools.  To ensure the funds go where they are most needed, art teachers serve on the funding advisory committee.

“Each year, funds raised go toward helping the advancement of services for visual and performing art needs of kids in Pasco County schools, both public and private.  Every year at the event, a special container is in clear sight where visitors are welcome to drop off new art supplies.  These art supplies are provided to Pasco County schools, both public and private.  The 2008 SAF raised funds that were used to send 50 eleventh and twelfth graders to the Ringling College of Art and Design for Portfolio Day, where 53 national arts colleges review works of aspiring art students in a variety of creative fields.  The 2009 SAF funds are being used to promote elementary art where there have been cuts due to lack of funding in Pasco County.  In 2010, our goal is to raise monies for scholarships and a website is being built that will serve as a streamlined resource for youth striving to pursue a career in the arts fields,” explains Pam Marron.

Visual Artists

The booths of 120 extraordinary fine artists and craftsmen that have been juried into the show will line the outdoor mall venue to show off their talents.  This year, chalk artists will also showcase their work on the sidewalks of The Shops at Wiregrass. Natalie and Greg Danelski, from New Port Richey, visited SAF last year and say, “My husband and I were thrilled with the fine arts show at the Shops at Wiregrass.  There was such a never ending variety of exquisite art such as jewelry, wall hangings, and metal art, just to name a few.  We actually purchased a wonderful wrought iron wall hanging of a woman in a yoga pose; she's absolutely gorgeous.  In addition, the location was perfect—a nice long leisurely stroll right up the middle of the shops, with lots of parking and lots of restaurants to stop by for lunch or coffee or just an ice cream.  A totally wonderful way to spend a day.  It's so wonderful to know that right here in our own backyard, we have the opportunity to avail ourselves of such quality arts and we don't have to go to Dunedin or Tarpon or Tampa if we don't want to.  We're already looking forward to the next one.”

Music, Entertainment and Food

WMNF 88.5 FM Community Public Radio will broadcast live on Saturday and Sunday, featuring well known regional music groups performing Blues, Jazz, Rock, Polka, and Reggae. Last year’s performers included the Classic and Folk Rock band Big Wiggler, Jazz by Deeper Shade of Soul, and local entertainment from A Few Days Wasted, and acoustic guitar and vocalist Colleen Hooker.  Additionally, select youth entertainers are chosen to perform during the weekend festival, such as Spotlight Kids. Wiregrass eateries cater to your food desires during the SAF with the Taste of Wiregrass.  Last year’s eateries and beverage establishments included the delicious GrillSmith, Moe’s Southwest Grill, The Brass Tap and 365 Caffe’ Italiano.

Kids and Emerging Artist Area

The Interactive Arts Area promotes visual art for children by exposing them to hands-on art activities.  Sand art is an example of one of the activities available for the first 200 children to create.  Select students (10th – 12th grade) from Pasco County Schools will have their art displayed in the Emerging Artist Area. 

Suncoast Arts Fest Weekend!

In addition to the fine arts show in Wesley Chapel at The shops at Wiregrass, other organizations such as Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs, Pasco Arts Council, PHCC Alric Pottberg Gallery at the Port Richey campus, Pioneer Florida Museum, Progress Energy Art Gallery in downtown New Port Richey and the West Pasco Arts Guild, are partner organizations that offer a variety of additional arts options; making Pasco County an arts destination for the weekend of January 23 and 24!

For more information about The Suncoast Arts Fest Presented by Wesley Chapel Hyundai/Mazda at The Shops at Wiregrass January 23 and 24 visit www.SuncoastArtsFest.com. Sponsors, artists, youth entertainers and volunteers can still apply to the SAF by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 247-6182 or 534-3445.