The Suncoast Arts Fest was awarded the 2009 Event of the Year by the Pasco
County Tourism Development Council!
Our History...
In 2010, the SAF
changed dates to the 3rd week of January so that the event would not conflict
with another arts event closeby. 101,000 visitors came to see the 106 fine
artists and craftsmen at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel. Six other arts
venues joined the SAF this year: Leepa Rattner Museum of Fine Art, Pasco Arts
Council, Progress Energy Art Gallery, West Pasco Art Guild, Pasco Hernando
Community College and the Pioneer Museum helped round out arts destinations
around Pasco County! Chalk artists were introduced this year, and initiatives to
support our beneficiary, Art for Kids in Pasco County, were announced at the
2010 event!
In 2009, the art show moved to The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, Florida,
2 miles east of I-75. Becasue of the success of the fine arts event at this
location...70,000
visitors, 85 incredible fine artists and craftsmen, the live broadcast of WMNF
88.5fm throughout the weekend coupled with incredible live performances from
regional professional entertainers and community youth entertainers, The Shops
at Wiregrass became the new home for the Suncoast Arts Fest fine arts event.
In 2008, the art show moved to the seventeen acre parcel located at the corner
of SR 54 and Starkey Blvd, and the name was changed to the Suncoast Arts Fest.
Though the primary focus of the event is to promote fine artists and craftsmen,
we were joined this year by WMNF 88.5fm Community Public Radio and the addition
of Taste of Pasco. The best community youth entertainment became a focus, and
youth performers from all over Pasco County filled slots in between the great
entertainment brought in by WMNF 88.5fm radio. Al "Coffee" McDaniel, Rebekah
Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets, Pickford Sundries, and Hybrid Groove
performed at the event showcasing WMNF live entertainment at the show.
Youth culinary arts were promoted this year with Marchmen vocational Technical
School students providing the culinary treats for the "artist "Meet and Greet".
Our 2007 included sixty juried artists, as well as local 10th-12th grade
emerging artists. Wonderful musical entertainment was provided, and the
public responded enthusiastically. Because of the size the art show was growing
to, we decided to move the event to the front of Longleaf on a larger parcel of
land.
On December 10th, 2005, the 1st Annual Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green
was held. Twenty three fine artists from all over the US were juried into our
show. To highlight community artists, thirty of “Pasco’s Finest” artists
were selected to represent the variety of fine artists and fine craftsmen
locally. Our "Emerging Artists" consisting of 10th grade through 12th
grade students, were given an opportunity to display their finest work as well!
Our Corporation - Fine Arts of the Suncoast
Fine Arts of the Suncoast, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for –profit corporation whose
mission is to develop a community culture that embraces the arts.
The corporation is organized exclusively for charitable and promotional
purposes, including, without limitation to accomplish the following purposes:
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Provide a quality fine arts show within the Pasco County.
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Promote all arts for children in Pasco County.
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Increase the awareness of the arts in Pasco County.
Our Beneficiary - "Arts for Kids"
Raising funds for the benefit of "Arts for Kids" is a primary goal that this
event works towards. Each year, funds raised go towards 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 will be 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.
Testimonials
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Proceeds from the show will be used to enhance arts education in our schools.
This will be a wonderful way for many different community members to come
together for a common cause that will benefit us all. I am certain this
show will attract tourists to our community, eventually becoming an anticipated
annual event."
~ Mike Fasano,
State Senator
District 11
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"A firm commitment to visual and performing arts is the hallmark of a great
community. One of the best ways to build that commitment is through fine
art shows. These events make the arts accessible to a broad audience,
while also fostering a sense of place and community identity. The Longleaf
Fine Arts on the Village Green complements the Gasparilla, Mainsail, and Dunedin
Art Harvest shows, and promises to match those shows in both quality of the art
and the benefit to the surrounding area."
~ Frank Starkey, Co-Developer of Longleaf and Architect
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"An arts festival such as this one benefits the local community financially by
attracting a wide variety of visitors who not only spend money on arts purchases
and associated things like food, but also get acquainted with the neighborhood
and might want to shop and move there."
~ Melinda Chavez,
(Past) Executive Director
Tampa Bay Business Committee for the Arts
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"Great venue for a fine art show - it has a hometown feel. In my various
roles in the arts community, I've had more people offer positive comment about
that show - artists and visitors alike."
~ Lynn Whitelaw,
Director
Leepa - Rattner Museum of Art
