Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Time to reap at Art Harvest

More than 200 artists are vying for $25,000 in prizes at this weekend's show.

By NOVA BEALL, Times Staff Writer
Published November 2, 2007

DUNEDIN - Cooler temperatures and partly sunny skies will usher in perfect weather for this weekend's Art Harvest, for 44 years a celebration of the arts and the season.

Presented in Highlander Park by the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin and the city of Dunedin, the outdoor juried fine arts show attracted 50,000 people last year and raised about $80,000 for charity.

"We're really hoping to reach our goal of $100,000 this year," said Art Harvest co-chair Lora Iosa.

In past years, the proceeds have helped to fund projects including the Dunedin Art Center, the Upper Pinellas Association for Retarded Citizens Foundation and, most recently, the "F.U.N." Bus, which has provided field trip transportation for more than 50,000 local public schoolchildren.

This year's featured artist is Clayton Swartz of Pinellas Park, whose aluminum sculptures are bent, molded, cut, heated and welded into everything from sea creatures to urban cityscapes. As a young boy, Swartz's interest in welding and the creative process was set as he watched his father work metals into unique sculptures.

"It feels great to be chosen," Swartz said.

"We've never featured a metal artist before," Iosa said. "Mr. Swartz's work is very vibrant and distinct. It catches your eye as soon as you see it."

More than 200 artists from across the country and abroad will compete in 13 categories for more than $25,000 in prize money.

"We had more applications this year than in the past," Iosa said. "We even have an artist in the graphics category coming all the way from England for this show."

Other categories include watercolor, mixed media, fiber, sculpture, wood, ceramics, jewelry, glass, oils/acrylics, digital, photography and metal.

Kids will have fun too. Until 4 p.m. both days, a free children's tent will offer hands-on art projects for children accompanied by an adult.

Six food vendors will offer up tasty fare; and beer, wine, soft drinks and water will be available for purchase.

If you go

Art Harvest

What: Features more than 200 artists.

Where: Highlander Park, 1143 Michigan Blvd.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Cost: Free admission. Parking is $4 per car, but a $2 shuttle is available from Causeway Plaza at Curlew Road and Alt. U.S. 19. Free parking is available at Dunedin High School, a half-mile walk from the park.

Information: (727) 738-5523

[Last modified November 1, 2007, 22:51:22]