– Advertisement –
Experience a walkable gallery of fine art media in a beautiful natural setting starting March 8 at 10 a.m.
Along the trails and walkways of Tom Varn Park and under the shade of Brooksville’s magnificent live oak trees, artists and artisans from Florida and throughout the US are readying to showcase their works during the weekend-long 40th anniversary of Art in the Park.
Art in the Park is a celebrated annual event dedicated to fine art, craftsmanship and community. Featured media will include fine arts painting, fine arts ceramics, crafts, fine arts drawing and graphics, fine arts fibers, sculpture, fine arts jewelry, fine arts photography, fine arts digital art, and fine arts mixed media.
Pedram Moghaddam, arts council chair, says that this year’s Art in the Park promises to be a diverse, inclusive and joyful 2025 Art in the Park showcasing all the elements of the arts community in Hernando County. This is to be held annually at Tom Varn Park in Brooksville, entry is complimentary, with a suggested $5 parking donation which helps support arts in Hernando County through Arts Council grant programs and other projects. This enormously successful event attracts thousands of visitors each year and has been named by the Southeast Tourism Society, a travel industry organization, as one of the top fine art shows held nationally.
– Advertisement –
Jessica Knutila, spokeswoman for the Hernando County Fine Arts Council, said, “Artists from all over the country and even some from overseas, come to exhibit their work and have an opportunity to win $6,500 in prize money. Come see what our arts community has to offer and cast your vote for the “You Be The Judge” award,” she said.
There will also be a chance to celebrate the artistic excellence and genius expression of Hernando County’s youth in the Student Art Show where students from public, private, and home schools will showcase their favorite pieces. Ribbons will be awarded for the best works and one talented young artist will also receive the prestigious Best in Show award. Also featured will be the Jan Knowles Student Art Award in recognition of her work as co-coordinator of Art in the Park for more than 23 years. The award is presented to each student category winner.
Not forgetting the very young amongst us, there will also be a Children’s Experience Area — a mini Art In The Park happening for kids. This will include hands-on art activities beyond coloring sheets provided by local nonprofits, and two days of live stage entertainment, including dance, music, drum circles, and other performances.
There will also be lots of food vendors close to the lakeside picnic area. Available food will feature Cuban and Spanish specialties, crepes, barbecue, tacos, seafood dishes, sandwiches, kettle corn, root beer, funnel cakes, lemonade, coffee and tea, plus sips of the delicious fruit wines from area wineries.
“This is the Hernando County Fine Arts Council’s largest event all year so expect to view more fine art than ever before,” added Knutila. “I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all our community partners and sponsors,” she said.
For information about artists and vendors and a full list of sponsors, visit www.hernandoarts.org; www.aitphernando.com, or https://www.facebook.com/events/484029111194633.
40th Festivities
To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Art in the Park this year will feature more live artists than ever before. In addition to music, poetry and dancing, there will be a live woodworking demonstration by renowned artist Jim Arnold. Local artists, Nancy Barry and Deda Nicol will be returning to lead community murals, where attendees will be able to “make their mark!. Leah Tinsley and her Creative ArtNest team will be live painting, as well as Beth Warmath from Warmath Walls. Local glassblower, senOiH Glass, will also be returning to provide live flameworking demonstrations.
Various artwork and artists in recent years of Art in the Park. [Courtesy photos]
