Cape Coral Art Fest draws national artists
What started as a way to bring culture to a young community has grown to become one of the biggest and best art festivals in the country.
More than 100,000 people were expected to jam Cape Coral Parkway this past weekend for the 32nd annual Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, where the best and most unusual artists in the country had an opportunity to show and sell their work.
The event, put on by the Cape Coral Rotary, has raised more than $3 million for the organization since its inception, allowing the group to conduct its charitable causes, according to John Jacobsen, chairman of the 2017 Cape Coral Festival of the Arts Committee.
More than 550 artists applied for the 300 slots available. They were chosen by a panel of art experts as well as laymen.
“The professionals judge the quality of the artists. The lay people represent the everyman. You don’t want to be too highbrow that nobody buys anything,” Jacobsen said. “You need someone to say ‘Hey, this is cool’ and a broad range of prices.”
There was artwork of all kinds, from paintings to sculptures to photography. Karrie Evenson paints whimsical wildlife on canvas full of color.
“It’s been a great show. I’ve probably sold more than usual. We do two shows a month,” said Evenson, who is from Arkansas. “We came to Florida because it’s winter everywhere else.”
Lynn and Steve Cebula made some very colorful and unusual works, most of which were clocks, but could also be centerpieces to the living area, with prices that ran everywhere from $80 to more than $2,400.
“This is our first time here and business has been excellent. The folks have been very enthusiastic,” Steve said. “This is our living. We’re in the studio seven days a week. It’s hard work, but we get by.”
The king of the festival is Don Nedobek, who has worked all but one of the art fests and has seen all the changes over the years. His work consisted of calendars and other artwork of cats and dogs.
“I come back because it’s for a good cause. The Rotary does so many good things. It’s also my living; the people are terrific,” said Nedobek, who came here from Milwaukee.
It’s was a pretty good bet that the 100,000 people who came this weekend would buy something. Kat Kelley, who owns a local business, bought some yard art and a large bag with her friend, Jean Arnett, who bought two pictures of animals, one of which says “Oh no, you didn’t,” the other answered “I yes, I did.”
“I love it. The weather is great, there are great vendors, I thought it would be mostly jewelry, but I was pleasantly surprised,” Kelley said.
“We come every year. We love the food and drink and people bring their dogs and you see those you haven’t seen in years,” Arnett said.
One attendee, Michelle Stumne, brought her macaw, which she was proud to show off .
“We like to come and walk around and see what’s out here. They have a lot of variety and a range of prices,” said Stumne, a first-timer who bought a blue and gold toy parrot that flaps its wings in the wind.
The festival was not only a huge boon for the artists, but for the businesses downtown. For many, it’s the biggest weekend of the year. That’s why businesses not usually open on Sunday were on this weekend.
“Business is phenomenal. This event is the beginning of our season,” said Ralph Sangiovanni, owner of Razzle Dazzle, which has been in Cape Coral for 26 years. “Last year the tornadoes devastated everything, but it’s been a great show with great people.”