Mainsail 2000: It'll float your boat

By MARY ANN MARGER, Times Art Critic

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 14, 2000

The premier outdoor show, with a fleet of artists and media, drops anchor in downtown St. Petersburg.

It should be smooth sailing with plenty of splash as the Mainsail Arts Festival cruises into St. Petersburg's downtown bayfront Saturday and Sunday for the 25th year.

The show, attended by an estimated 90,000 people during its 1999 two-day run, is a leading cultural event on St. Petersburg's outdoor calendar. Along with the Dunedin Art Harvest and the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, it is a top show on the Florida outdoor art festival circuit.

Chuck Boux, St. Petersburg, Under the Coralhead, glass

Of an accepted 232 artists, half exhibited last year and many are award winners, including several of Mainsail's past best of show winners: Jack Ellis, Patricia Karnes, David McKirdy, Gael and Howard Silverblatt, Duncan McClellan, Joseph DiGangi and Ummarid Eitharong. One-third are from outside Florida.

Mainsail exhibitor Les Slesnick recently won $126,750 as grand prize winner in the MILK (Moments of Intimacy, Laughter and Kinship) global photographic competition in New Zealand. Slesnick, of Orlando, is a fine-art photographer and teacher at the Crealde School of Art in Winter Park. He also exhibits at Mainsail again this year.

James LaCasse, Denver, Gaia, bronze fountain piece

The artists are prejuried from slides; all work must be original. Exhibitors may enter in 12 categories: ceramics, fiber, glass, graphics, jewelry, metal, mixed media, oil/acrylic, photography, sculpture, watercolor and wood.

Prize money has been increased from $37,000 in 1999 to $50,000 this year, with the best of show award carrying $10,000 (up from $5,000). Selecting winners is Paul Master-Karnik, director and CEO of the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Lincoln, Mass.

A student art tent will offer works by young artists from the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School and the Perkins Elementary Art Magnet Program, both in St. Petersburg. Proceeds benefit the schools' art offerings.

Featured newcomers showing off culinary arts this year are two acclaimed area restaurants: Salt Rock Grill and Boulevard Bistro. The old faithful festival fare, including grouper sandwiches and fruit smoothies, will also be there.

For youngsters, the Junior League of St. Petersburg will again offer a children's art tent with free learning activities for ages 3 to 12. Parent accompaniment is recommended.

Mainsail memories Fun facts about the Mainsail Arts Festival

Mainsail's poster artist is popular St. Petersburg artist/activist Lance Rodgers. Other souvenirs include T-shirts, mugs and 25th anniversary commemorative pins.

At a glance

WHAT: 25th Annual Mainsail Arts Festival

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday WHERE: North Straub Park, Fifth Avenue and Bayshore Drive NE along St. Petersburg's downtown waterfront

COST: Free

DETAILS: 231 artists; food, entertainment, children's tent; souvenirs

PARKING: Free along streets; fee charged at Pier lots, Vinoy and Plaza garages; handicapped parking on Beach Drive along South Straub Park

CO-SPONSORS: City of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Times, Junior League of St. Petersburg, Eller Media Co. and Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

INFORMATION: (727) 892-5885

Entertainment schedule

Dianna Dinka, Ft. Lauderdale, Untitled, hand-dyed cotton fabric rug, about 10 feet long

SATURDAY

• Noon -- Claude Kennedy and the Hot 2 Go Band (Jazz flutist with African and Latin beat)
• 1 p.m. -- Gumbo Boogie Band (Cajun/zydeco to old-time blues)
• 2 p.m. -- Lounge Cat (jive and swing)
• 3 p.m. -- Gumbi Ortiz and the Latino project (percussion)
• 4:30 p.m. -- Feature Presentation; the Coryells (jazz and blues)

SUNDAY

• Noon -- Doctor Rockit (rock 'n' roll)
• 1 p.m. -- Cactus Creek (light rock)
• 2 p.m. -- Dan McMillion and the Groovin' High Big Band
• 3:30 p.m. -- The Classic Rock All Stars (original hits by original singers)

Also: Minstrel, mimes and other strolling performers throughout the park both days