NEW PORT RICHEY - The Spring Hill couple had their doubts about the art show.
After all, for photographer ChazMeissner and his wife, Monica, a show isn't just something fun to do for the weekend. It's their livelihood.
The Meissners' primary source of income comes from the dozen or so they travel to each year to sell Chaz's artwork. Their shows are almost always well-established, two-day affairs.
So the recent Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green was appealing, being so close to home, but it was only for one day and the juried show was brand new. "A lot of artists wouldn't touch a first show," said Chaz, who has a background in commercial fashion.
The couple also worried it might be "crafty."
They were wrong.
"We've already met a lot of our favorite artists," Chaz said at an invitation-only meet and greet Dec. 9 party to kickoff the Dec. 10 show.
About 220 artists and guests packed a vacant building on one end of Longleaf's row of businesses downtown. The Longleaf Deli and General Store, located on the opposite end, provided delicacies such as meats and cheeses for the party.
Longleaf has had a holiday arts and crafts show for a few years, but this was a first for the party and juried show. "We're trying to bring an outdoor fine art venue to Pasco County," said show director and Longleaf resident Pam Marron. At the event, a horse and carriage carried folks down the narrow, picturesque streets of Longleaf past houses adorned with white lights, while musicians including the Allon Sams Jazz Band and guitarist Dave Eichenberger performed in an outdoor venue next to the party.
Students from Longleaf and Seven Springs elementary schools painted snowmen and holiday decor all over the windows of the party space for one of many art competitions.
The goal of the party, said organizer Katrina Maglione, was to thank the artists for going to the community and exhibiting.
One first-time exhibitor was Seven Springs Elementary art teacher Kathleen Ambreski, who also created the signature painting for the show.
The Meissners had lived in Hernando County for about two years before the Longleaf show, which was their first locally.
"We kind of wanted to get hooked up with the arts community here," Chaz said. "We're always putting our name everywhere except in our own back yard."
The show drew a crowd of more than 2,500 to view the work of 61 artists, 25 from Pasco. Admission was free, but parking was $3 to benefit art programs in Pasco County schools. The proceeds totaled about $2,000, Marron said.
The event's other main organizers included Marj Golub, Stefanie Bracciale, Jim Wanker, Diane Wood and Michelle Palenik.
Among the artists, the first-place winners were Mark Goodman in the "Pasco's finest" category and Cayla Hanousek for best emerging artist age 12 to 21.
Chaz Meissner won first place overall, which came with a $700 cash award. "He was very touched," Marron said. "I don't think he realized we had the ability to give a cash prize."
And that's not all they gave.
Along with the party, the artists were offered breakfast and all sorts of goodies the day of the show.
Chaz was especially struck by crock pots full of chicken soup and plastic bowls residents of nearby houses placed on their front porches for the artists. "It was, like, so cute," he said, "that they would be so proud of their neighborhood that they would do something like that."
Jennifer Stewart writes about social events and personalities in Pasco County. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6231. Her e-mail address is jstewart@sptimes.com
