Art in the Park celebrates Creativity for all Ages March 14-15

Sponsored Post • By Diane Bedard • Posted on February 18, 2020

The Hernando County Fine Arts Council invites you to the 36th Annual Art in the Park event on Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15 from 10 am to 5 pm at Tom Varn Park, 306 Darby Lane, downtown Brooksville.

This celebration of fine arts and crafts features original artwork by over 130 fine art and craft exhibitors in a lovely park setting. There is a festival food court for refreshments and free children’s art tent for creating.

Two full days of live entertainment are interspersed throughout the celebration with a special appearance by the Hernando Symphony Orchestra performing Pops in the Park at 1 pm Saturday. Please bring your chair and enjoy the music under the beautiful oaks.

Art in the Park is relaxing and admission is free, although it is such a large art show that it can be challenging to see it all. A donation of $5 for parking is suggested.

Art in the Park is an award-winning art show and is named one of the Top 20 events in the southeast U.S. by the Southeast Tourism Society – for the third year in a row.

Fine arts and crafts are abundant at Art in the Park, where you can meet the artists at their booths and ask them about their creations. Image courtesy of Hernando County Fine Arts Council.

This year’s attendees can vote for the People’s Choice Award, and each voter has a chance to win $100 in a cash drawing. The winning artist gets a $50 cash prize.

The History of Art in the Park

The Art in the Park event was first held in Masaryktown in 1984 to celebrate the arts in Hernando County. Larry Whidden was the first chairman and was assisted by a small group of local artists.

It grew so much that the ‘fine arts show’ had to move to Tom Varn Park nearly 20 years ago. This wonderful venue features artist and crafter displays set along a paved, winding path under magnificent oak trees.

Art in the Park features over 130 Fine Arts and Artists along the paved winding walkway of Tom Varn Park in Brooksville. Image courtesy of Hernando Fine Arts Council.

Supporting Arts in the Community

The profits from Art in the Park fund a community grant program supporting the arts in the local community, including school art programs, art leagues, youth orchestras, and the Hernando Symphony Orchestra, dance and music concerts and recitals that are open to the public.

Shirley Anderson, Hernando County Supervisor of Elections, with 2018 Student Art in the Park winners. Image courtesy of Hernando County Fine Arts Council.

Juried Art Show offers $5,000 in Prize Money and a Juried Student Art Show

Art in the Park features a juried art show that attracts over 130 local, state, and national fine art and craft exhibitors competing for $5,000 in prize money.

There will also be a juried student art show featuring works of art from children ranging in age from elementary school through college level.

Families are encouraged to come out and walk along the path, enjoy the music and help the kids create their own masterpieces at Art in the Park March 14 and 15, 2020. badski007 / Pixabay

Families are encouraged to visit the free children’s art activity tent where young people can experiment with different mediums to create their own take-away masterpiece.

Art in the Park is a relaxing, family-friendly event that includes a festival food court to whet patrons’ appetites.

Art in the Park attracts local, regional and even national artists to provide a wonderful variety of fine arts and crafts to shop in a beautiful, shaded park. Image courtesy of Hernando County Arts Council.

The 36th Annual Art in the Park is presented by the Hernando County Fine Arts Council, PO Box 1265, Brooksville, Florida 34605. Call 352-279-5182 for more information.

For more information visit www.HernandoArts.org or call 352-279-5182.

Enjoy Brooksville’s Fine Murals too

The Fire and Police mural was done by artist Keith Goodson who explains, “The town wanted to depict the 1920’s Lafrance fire engine that used to be in service for the city. The mural was painted over the original bay doors that were sealed up with stucco. This mural comes complete with its own painted fire dog.” (from the website artwanted.com)

The Brooksville Mural Society, Inc. was formed in 2001 to “Enhance the cultural and educational development of the residents of the city of Brooksville and Hernando County through the creation, development, and promotion of murals and other public artworks of regional and historical significance.”

As of 2019, there are six murals #1 -The Stroll 200I – #2 – Fire and Police 2002 #3 – Physicians 2003 #4 – Fifties Drug Store 2004 #6 – Livery Stable 2008. The Hernando County Arts Council would be glad to assist in anyone interested in future murals.

The Fire and Police mural was done by artist Keith Goodson who explains, “The town wanted to depict the 1920’s Lafrance fire engine that used to be in service for the city. The mural was painted over the original bay doors that were sealed up with stucco. This mural comes complete with its own painted fire dog.”

Art in the Park March 14-15 in Downtown Brooksville

Art in the Park supports the creative arts in Hernando County. Students have a juried art show as part of this fun community event. Image courtesy of the Hernando County Fine Arts Council.

Plan to visit Art in the Park on March 14 and 15 to get your art on and shop for the perfect piece for your home and office in the fresh air of beautiful Brooksville.

To learn more about Art in the Park and how you can help support the creative arts in Hernando County, visit hernandoarts.org.

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