50th Gasparilla Festival Of Arts Moves To Julian B. Lane Park

TAMPA, FL — While the works of artists from around the world continues to be the focus of the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, those attending will also be treated to live music and performing arts along with food and drinks vendors as the festival celebrates its 50th anniversary at its new venue, Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa.

The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts will take place Saturday, Feb. 29, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the park at 1001 N. Boulevard.

“We are leaping across the river on Leap Day this year,” said John Scheffel, president of the board of directors.

He said moving to Julian B. Lane Park allows the juried outdoor festival to expand activities for the 50th anniversary celebration. In addition, the park offers shaded seating options, larger playground areas, designated areas for ride-sharing, water taxis, bicycle parking and on-site and nearby parking.

To commemorate a half century of promoting fine arts, Paul Galloway, collection specialist of architecture and design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, will serve as festival juror. The first festival in 1969 also featured a festival juror from MoMA.

“We are honored to have Paul Galloway as our festival juror," said Scheffel. "A juror of his caliber, coming from MoMA, is a prestigious highlight for our vibrant festival and a perfect way to mark our 50th year."

Following an open call for submissions, "Head First II" by Tampa-based artist Meagan Farrell Scalise was selected as the official featured art for this year's festival, appearing on advertisements, promotions, T-shirts and posters.

Scheffel said the painting incorporates elements that celebrate Tampa’s vibrancy and culture, represented in colorful patterns featuring coral, swimming fish, palmetto and banana leaves, pink sunset clouds, and a starry night sky.

The festival will feature more than 250 national and international artists competing for $80,000 in awards including the $15,000 Raymond James Financial Best of Show Award.

Those attending the free festival will be able to explore paintings in a variety of media, ceramics, digital art, drawings, fiber art, glass work, jewelry, mixed-media works, printmaking, sculpture and woodwork.

Festival-goers will be able to vote for their favorite local artist in the first Tampa Bay Spotlight and explore an exhibit featuring emerging artists

Children's Activities

Now in its 10th year, the festival's Art Collectors in Training program was organized to encourage the appreciation of the arts in young people age 6 through 14. It gives children an opportunity to view and purchase artwork on exhibit from artists participating in festival.

In the kids-only shopping zone, most items can be purchased for $5 to $10. Each artwork is labeled with the artist’s names and booth locations so the young art collectors can meet with the artists face-to-face.

The Art Collectors in Training program will be offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

A Children’s Activity Area, coordinated by the Tampa Museum of Art, gives children the opportunity to learn techniques from participating artists. Kids can also color, paint and draw from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and participate in a scavenger hunt.

Interactive Experiences

The Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts and Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts are co-sponsoring the TBBCA Chalk Walk, featuring specially commissioned chalk artists who will create 8-foot chalk drawings in an interactive live-art experience.

Carmada returns to the festival for its eighth year with its Art Car Extravaganza. Attendees of all ages can watch as vehicles are transformed into works of art and enjoy hands-on creative activities while DJs spin throughout the afternoon. Visitors will be encouraged to vote for their favorite art car, with prizes going to the artists.

Additionally, the NOMADstudio Art Bus will give visitors an opportunity to add to its giant mobile mural.

Glass artist Duncan McClellan will bring his DMG Mobile Glass-Blowing Unit to the festival, demonstrating the glass-blowing process for those attending.

An interactive structural element will be created by the American Institute of Architects and affiliated organizations.

Artistic entertainment will include dance, puppets, stilt walkers, music, impersonators and visual artists.

Live Entertainment

This year's festival will feature Tampa Bay musicians and entertainers including Mountain Holler with St. Pete-based multi-instrumentalist Mark Etherington; Indian Rocks Beach’s surfing psych cowboys Fayroy; Ella Jet and Future Soul, a five-piece progressive neo-soul band; the Tampa funkadelic foursome The Reality; and Gainesville's The Savants of Soul.

The complete lineup is available on the festival website.

Parking

The festival will offer four free continuous shuttles running between Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park and downtown parking garages throughout the weekend. Pickup locations are at Poe Garage at Gasparilla Plaza. Visitors can park at adjacent locations such as Rivergate Tower and walk to Gasparilla Plaza to catch the free shuttle.

In addition, festival organizers have partnered with Pirate Water Taxi for a discounted water taxi service on a dedicated route from Julian B. Lane Park to MacDill Park adjacent to the Ft. Brooke Parking Garage.

Free, secure bike valet parking will be provided on-site courtesy of Two Wheel Valet and the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

The festival has also partnered with Uber, offering guests 20 percent off Uber rides. Use discount code is GFA2020.