Thousands of visitors perused and purchased works from more than 100 artist vendors whose tents dotted the riverfront, stopping periodically to rest and listen to a lineup of local musicians during the two-day Sebastian Riverfront Fine Art & Music Festival.
Founded in 1999 by the late Lisanne Robinson, the not-for-profit strives to promote the arts and cultural enhancement within the community, while also encouraging children’s interest in the creative arts.
Through donations and scholarships, the festival has supported schools and organizations such as the Sebastian and Treasure Coast Elementary Schools, Roseland Christian Preschool, the Sebastian River High School Drama Troupe, the Sebastian River Art Club and Sunrise Theatre.
While last year’s event was cut short a day because of inclement weather, this year was sunny, if a bit cool and blustery.
“They’ll have a good weekend,” said board member and metal artist Robert Johnson, who has been involved since 2003, along with his wife, Lynn, a jewelry artist.
“There’s seven board members and we’re all volunteers. We give our money to art events and art projects throughout the town and the school system,” said Johnson.
He explained that they also participate in Art in Public Places initiatives, including an upcoming mural project at the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce building.
“We’re funding that; we’ve connected the artists to the people that are looking for murals,” said Johnson.
“We’re helping to fund art-related things. It doesn’t have to be fine art. That’s kind of our mission, to spread art awareness and cultural influence of artwork throughout our Sebastian River area.”
The annual show is juried by members of the board and a few remote judges, with selections running the full gamut of artworks, from paintings, photography and sculpture to jewelry, leatherworking, woodworking and mixed media.
On the music end of things, there was one band in the morning and one in the afternoon each day, playing on the riverfront stage. Saturday performances were by Purr Dogz, a mash up of two groups, Purrbox and Sleepin’ Dogz, and Dottie Kelly & Darryl Raines in the afternoon. Sunday featured Mike & Penny and the Knotty G’s.
Johnson said they have an application on their website where people can apply for funding, adding, “We’ve been doing it for years, but now we’ve got all the infrastructure in place with an online link to a form. So we’re just trying to help artists and art-minded people get some art projects done.”
For more information, visit SebastianArtShow.com.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
