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Letter to the editor

'Something for everyone'

By Tiffani Sherman Times Correspondent
Published March 12, 2008

Whether you're an art connoisseur or just looking for a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, the Largo Artist Market in the Park is the place to be this weekend.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Largo Central Park. Admission is free.

"There's a little something for everyone," said Sue Osborne, 55, special events coordinator for Partners N' Progress for the Arts, a group that supports the arts in Largo and is in charge of the event.

During the first Largo Artist Market last year, about 5,000 people strolled through the park each day.

"I want 10,000 people a day (this year)," Osborne said. "I want the artists to do well."

One of those artists is Tony Blue of Seminole. His "blutography" is a mixture of photography and graphic art.

Blue began taking pictures in 1967 and was an Air Force photographer during the Vietnam War. He majored in photography in college and his work evolved to add the graphic arts elements.

"I have my own niche," Blue said. "I'm a pioneer in the field."

Blue prints his photos on canvas and makes each of his frames. The works range in price from about $30 up to $600.

Blue said he has a goal for Artist Market visitors. "They need to put a piece of beautiful, original art on their naked wall," he said. "We try to give their home or business, wherever they're going to hang it, a little flavor, put something on those walls, spruce them up."

Blue will compete with about 70 other artists for awards at this year's market. It is a juried art show with $6,700 in prizes.

Last year's best-of-show winner will not return this year to show her work due to health problems. A.B. Ward, a pastel artist from Kirby, Wyo., canceled her visit because of complications from a January hip replacement.

In an e-mail, A.B.'s husband, Barrie Bryant, said "A.B. thought that she would recover in time to travel for the Largo show. She just couldn't imagine missing Largo since it's such a great show run by great people and everyone was so gracious to her last year."

One of the returning artists is beadmaker Patti Bacun, 56, of Bellair Beach. After retiring four years ago from her job as a fire inspector in Largo, Bacun started working full-time on her beads.

The beads become jewelry that ranges in price from about $18 to more than $500. During the show, she'll gladly tell you about her work.

"I'm there all the time, I love talking to the people," Bacun said. "I almost always wear the last thing I made, and I usually sell it right off my body."

If you go

Largo Artist Market in the Park

Where: Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Cost: Admission and parking are free

Food: Available for purchase

Other: Musical entertainment

[Last modified March 12, 2008, 00:44:05]