In walking through the festival last year, I was amazed at the variety of artwork for sale. From landscape paintings and high-resolution photography to the mixed media pieces that always draw a few looks, the Sidewalk Art Festival is a trip through the creative side of life. If you’ve got any empty walls or space in your home, this is your best opportunity of the year to find that perfect piece. Not only do you have the chance to buy great art, but in most cases, you’ll also get to meet the artist.
You don’t have to buy anything, though, to have a good time at the art festival. You can simply enjoy the outdoors and do some people watching (although I’d recommend a cheese steak or some kettle corn if you’ve got a few bucks to spare).
For complete information, visit the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival website. It’s an event not to be missed in Central Florida.
Note: The article has been updated from its original posting to include a statement about purchasing art as discussed in the comments. No information was removed from the article, I just wanted to ensure that my original goals for the post were fully met.
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6 Comments for “49th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival”
March 12th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Although I appreciate the exposure for the artists, I am disappointed that the writer would encourage visitors to “You don’t need to buy anything, though.” but if you do buy, stuff your face with “I’d recommend a cheese steak or some kettle corn”. I’m sorry, but our pathetically un-cultured American lifestyle does not need any encouragement to not buy from artists. This is how artists make a living, and it’s not much of a living. But artists are compelled to create and share the world as they see it and I would love it if you encouraged people to support their talent, and BUY THEIR ARTWORK. Rather than eat crap.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Hi. Thanks for the details about the festival. It would be a great to see the different art works for sale. I love these art festivals as it is a nice way to spend time with family and friends.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Mary … Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I’m always interested in finding out who is actually reading this site.
As for the “don’t buy anything” statement, I never meant to imply that attendees “shouldn’t buy anything”. In fact, I think the Winter Park Art Festival is one of the best opportunities to find artwork for individuals. At no other time during the year are so many different types of art available in a single spot. My wife and I are planning on buying some art this year after our visit to the festival last year.
Also, the “un-cultured American” may indeed exist, but I hardly think that suggesting a cheese steak or some kettle corn is promoting such a lifestyle. This statement was simply letting my reader(s) know that food is available.
Finally, I would hate to discourage anyone from coming out to the art festival because they don’t intend on purchasing any art. If anything, I’d guess that the festival would much rather see more patrons over the weekend with a small percentage that doesn’t spend any money over a smaller number of patrons that buys only art.
Thanks again for stopping by. If you’ve got any tips for people that are planning to buy art, please leave them in the comments or e-mail me and I’ll write up another post.
March 17th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Hello Chad,
Thanks for this nice story about the WPSAF. Your promotion of fine art fairs is very much appreciated by the art fair community. It would be great if everyone who attended an art fair would purchase a piece of work, what a difference it would make in these traveling artists lives.
Even at a fine event like this one original work can be found at low enough price points for just about anyone attending to add to or begin a collection. If you readers missed that chance this year, there is always next year. Although that artist whose work you admired may not be there next year.
I am linking your blog to my blog: the Art Fair Insider. Thanks again for your positive review.
March 17th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Connie,
Thanks for stopping by Living Orlando! The Winter Park Art Festival is a great event for locals and will always be one that I look forward to. This year, I’d have to say that the mixed media and sculpture artists really brought their “A” game. I’ve got a few pictures that I’ll be posting tonight.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
[…] If you didn’t make it to Winter Park and are looking for some background on the event read this good overview by Chad at the blog “Living Orlando”: http://www.livingorlando.com/2008/ […]
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