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Mainsail drops anchor
That means two days of aesthetics beside the bay, as St. Petersburg hosts an art argosy complete with entertainment, food and frolic.
By LENNIE BENNETT
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 18, 2002
Nature photography by Mike Bacon
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ST. PETERSBURG -- With its postcard-ready setting on the city's waterfront, Mainsail is an art festival that's popular even among those with no interest in aesthetic hunting and gathering.
The popular festival returns to Straub Park for its 27th year on Saturday and Sunday. Other shows may have a more selective roster of artists, but Mainsail's combination of setting, entertainment and food make it unique.
Organizers have invited 238 artists from 24 states to participate, winnowing the list from a field of almost 1,000 applicants. They compete for $50,000 in cash awards, with winners selected by this year's judge, William Underwood Eiland, director of the Georgia Museum of Art. All the traditional media are represented: ceramics, fiber, glass, graphics, jewelry, metal, mixed media, oil/acrylic, photography, sculpture, watercolor and wood. There also will be the familiar range of work from functional to decorative.
Horn Bill by Paul Eppling
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Among past award-winning artists who are returning to Mainsail are last year's best of show winner Nancy Cervenka-Smith, who coaxes strips of film into cunning sculptural forms; Joseph DiGangi (knives); Gael and Hopward Silverblatt (cloisonne jewelry); Jack Ellis (graphics) and Charles Parkhill (sculpture).
Festival hours on Saturday and Sunday are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entertainment both days begins at noon and, at that point, food vendors will be be in high gear too. Restaurants such as Salt Rock Grill, Outback Steak House, Harvey's Fourth Street Grill and Alessi's join carnival-food vendors in dispensing everything from tuna sashimi and beignets to ribs and corn dogs.
Youngsters ages 3 to 12 can do their own thing at the Junior League of St. Petersburg Art Tent, where volunteers will assist with crafts. Parents must accompany their children.
As in years past, you are asked to leave pets at home.
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Print or original?
Actually, says one one expert, prints are "multiple originals," and they take much creativity and technical skill to make. |
This year's commemorative poster was created by Dr. Ludner Confident, an anesthesiologist at Bayfront Medical Center who is noted for painting vibrant images of his native Haiti.
Visitors are advised to bring hats or visors and sunblock.
-- Contact Lennie Bennett at (727) 893-8293 or e-mail to lennie@sptimes.com
Performing arts schedule
Saturday
The Explorer by Gael & Howard Silverblatt
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Noon -- New Sand Mountain Wildcats (bluegrass)
1:15 p.m. -- The Regulators (swing)
2:30 -- Rocksteady@8 (Reggae)
3:45 -- The Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra (big band)
Sunday
Noon -- Calypso Sound (steel drums)
1:15 p.m. -- Wayward Street Players (Dixieland jazz)
2:30 -- Grupo Caribe (Latin)
3:45 -- The Impacs (rock 'n' roll classics)
Also, strolling entertainers include the mime group MIMUS, minstrel George Aldrich and magician Paul Espo.
PREVIEW
The 27th annual Mainsail Arts Festival is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Straub Park, between Beach and Bayshore drives and Second and Fifth avenues N along St. Petersburg's downtown waterfront. Admission is free. Parking is available at nearby lots and garages. For information call (727) 892-5885 or visit the Web site at www.mainsailartsfestival.org.
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