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Season to celebrate

Dunedin's Art Harvest exalts creativity, fun for children and giving back to the community.

By LENNIE BENNETT
Published November 3, 2005

[Images from Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin]

Michael J. Weber, watercolor.

	Laurie Coppedge, photography.
	Jane Carpenter, jewelry.
	Denis Gaston donated Butterfly Dreams, an ink and dry brush drawing on paper, to a raffle benefitting the community projects of the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin, organizer of Art Harvest.
	Don and Amber Poole, ceramics.

DUNEDIN - Art festivals are just plain fun, especially in the fall. Stroll around in the drier, slightly cooler air. Eat a corn dog or gyro with less guilt because hey - winter's coming and it's time to bulk up a bit. Lure the kids away from the TV for a few hours with the promise of hands-on crafts that sound truly interesting. And, of course, buy art.

Art Harvest offers that and something more Saturday and Sunday. Presented by the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin and the city of Dunedin, it's also a fundraiser for the league's community projects.

League president Gwin Londigan says that since its founding in 1948, the organization has contributed $1.4-million and more than 1-million volunteer hours to the community. This year the organization is giving $20,000 in grants to teachers and $10,000 to social service agencies. Another $75,000 will go to its FUN Bus program which was founded when School Choice, and the increased cost of more busing for it, cut the budget for field trips. Since it began two years ago, FUN buses (that's an acronym for fulfilling unique needs) have transported about 24,000 public school students on enrichment excursions. All of Art Harvest's profits - from booth rentals, T-shirt sales, beverages, for example - will be used for those worthy causes.

Noted bay area artist Denis Gaston created art for the event's poster and has donated one of his lovely, cryptic drawings for a raffle. Tickets are $2 and proceeds will also be funneled into league projects.

But, beauty, as we know, is its own excuse for being, so with 215 exhibiting artists, Art Harvest can be justified in its bountiful possibilities for collectors and givers of art.

Like all outdoor festivals, popular mediums will be well represented - watercolor, oil and acrylics, photography, wood, jewelry, glass, ceramics and fiber.

The free children's art tent takes the theme "One Planet, One People" in its hands-on activities. Kids can make hieroglyphic bookmarks, cave rubbings, Polynesian flower leis and other multicultural crafts.

"One Planet, One People" is also the subject of the Dunedin Fine Art Center's current exhibition. The center is not part of Art Harvest but it is adjacent to the festival, so plan a stop there.

- Lennie Bennett can be reached at 727 893-8293 or lennie@sptimes.com

The 42nd annual Art Harvest is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Highlander Park, Dunedin, on the southwest corner of Michigan Avenue and Pinehurst Road. Free admission. An art tent for children is free but they must be with an adult. Food and beverages will be for sale. Free parking is available at Dunedin High School about a half-mile away and at Causeway Plaza on the northwest corner of Curlew Road and Alt. U.S. 19. Shuttles will run from the Causeway Plaza site for $2 per person. Limited on-site parking is $4. People with disabilities needing special accommodations may call the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin at least 48 hours in advance for assistance. (727) 738-5523.

[Last modified November 2, 2005, 12:06:07]