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Arts festival spans spectrum

By JARED LEONE
Published April 2, 2007

TARPON SPRINGS - Nearly 20,000 people crammed neighborhood streets and Craig Park over the weekend for the 33rd annual Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival.

About 250 artists from across the country came to compete for $16,800 in cash prizes, as well as for the attention of festivalgoers.

Taking home this year's grand prize, best of show, was an Orlando mixed-media artist making his festival debut, Tony Savoie.

The two-day event featured a labyrinth of artists and their work: oils, acrylics, watercolor, sculpture, fiber art, jewelry, glass, leather, ceramics, mixed media and more.

The weather cooperated perfectly, with clear skies and friendly temperatures.

"I like the breeze from the water. I am claiming this spot," featured artist Judith Rogers, 64, said about her booth overlooking Spring Bayou.

Palm Harbor artist Steven Gill drew a crowd with an impromptu cartooning session for three girls attending the art show for the first time.

As he drew a dog riding a diving dolphin, he taught the children about depth perception during a five-minute lesson. He then turned over the artwork for them to color.

"This is the way I draw, just put everything that seems to be there, there, and hopefully it will work out," Gill said. "Do you believe I drew all these now?" he asked the girls before giving them the artwork.

Gill's cartoon paintings were selling for $15 to $120. The girls' chaperone, Pamela Gillespie, 48, described them as a mix of The Far Side and Dr. Seuss.

"I can't do it a lot of times because I have so many customers," Gill said. "Usually I see a little kid that looks kind of bored. It brings them up, it really makes their day. That's why I do this work."

Some fun-seeking art patrons came to the show for their first time, while others have made the art festival a tradition.

Gerri Planinich, 69, of Tarpon Springs said this is the fourth year she has come to see what artists have to offer.

"A lot of (the artwork) is very colorful and very unique," Planinich said.

"There is lots of jewelry I can't afford ... but I am really appreciative of what goes into these things."

Savoie, 41, the best of show winner whose works range from $200 to $6,000, said he sold one small piece from his booth on the west edge of the park, right near the water.

"It does not take a lot of sales for me to think it's a good art show," Savoie said.

"This positively is one of the best locations I've seen. Almost as close as I can get without getting wet."

Fast Facts:

Festival winners

- Best of show: Tony Savoie, mixed media

- Two-dimensional: Jeff Eckert, graphics; Edgar Reims, painting; A.B. Word, graphics; Tony Eitharona, mixed media

- Three-dimensional: Estella Fransbergen, sculpture; Jinsong Kim, ceramics; Lloyd Cheney, wood; Lou McMurray, mixed media

- Awards of distinction: Bill Sargent, photography; Raymond Cannata, wood; Rich-

ard Jacobus, metal; Sheila Crawford, photography; Alexa Smarsh, jewelry; Jay Canterbury, photography; Jayne Demarcy, jewelry

- Awards of merit: Deborah Barnes, jewelry; Salomon Mhala, fiber; William Kwamena Pho, watercolor; Nels Johnson, photography; Sarah Coast, jewelry; Lynn Ferris, watercolor; Mark Edwards, metal

Best booth: Lee Jones

[Last modified April 1, 2007, 21:56:37]