2026 Poster Artist Winner
Anthony Murrill
The Story of Calypso
Every year, ArtFest Fort Myers chooses a piece of artwork that not only captures beauty but also carries a story- one that reflects the heart of our community and the spirit of our festival.
This year, we are proud to introduce Calypso curated by artist Anthony Murrill, as our 2026 poster artwork.
Why a seaturtle? Because the sea turtle is a symbol of endurance, wisdom, and harmony with nature. These are values that deeply resonate with ArtFest and the people of Southwest Florida. Just like these gentle travelers of the sea, ArtFest has carried forward a 25-year legacy, always moving with purpose, adapting with grace, and reminding us of the connection we all share to our coastal home.
Calypso’s vibrant colors and joyful presence remind us that art, like the ocean, is vast, boundless, and full of life. She represents resilience, weathering storms, journeying long distances, and still returning home. And for us, that journey reflects the way ArtFest continues to grow, evolve, and return each year as a celebration for everyone.
By choosing Calypso, we honor not only the beauty of art but also our responsibility to protect the natural treasures around us. Just as the turtle belongs to the sea, ArtFest belongs to this community.
We hope when you see Calypso, whether on a poster, shirt, or festival sign, you feel inspired to carry forward the spirit of creativity, unity, and joy that she so perfectly represents.
About the Artist
Born in Titusville, Florida in 1975, Anthony Murrill is a self-taught painter whose vibrant, impasto acrylics capture both the energy of nature and the joy of everyday life. After leaving art school and spending years running a successful construction business, Anthony returned to his first passion, painting, and has since built a thriving fine art career.
Working primarily with heavy body acrylics and palette knives, Anthony creates bold, textured canvases that celebrate color, movement, and character. His subjects range from whimsical animals and florals to coastal and mountain landscapes, each piece infused with his signature combination of complementary underpainting, sculpted layers, and playful splatters.
Today, Anthony exhibits at juried art festivals across the country and has collectors nationwide who connect with the joy and vitality in his work. His story of resilience, trading tool belts for paint knives, resonates with audiences as much as his art itself.
Anthony lives and works in Ohio with his wife Kim, and spends the winter months in Florida - continuing to honor his Florida roots through coastal-inspired collections and frequent exhibitions in the state he first called home.
ARTIST PERKS
Guaranteed acceptance for 2026 & 2027
- Skip the jury and application process for two years.
Free booth and hotel
- Complimentary 10’ x 10’ Booth Space at ArtFest Fort Myers 2026, including Friday Opening Night ($685 value)
- Complimentary 3-night stay, over festival weekend 2026, at the ArtFest Fort Myers Host hotel the Luminary Hotel & Co. located on our festival site with covered parking (value = priceless)
Year-round promotion (priceless!)
All promotion includes your name & website
- Cover of ArtFest Fort Myers’ 16-page magazine – 22,000 copies; 110 hotels; 3-month shelf life. Includes ½ page article about you and the poster art.
- Cover of 8,500 Festival Programs with a ½-page article about you and the poster (if we publish a print version).
- Showcased on ArtFestFortMyers.com with link to artist website.
- Promotion on ArtFest Fort Myers Facebook page.
- Special eAnnouncements to poster buyers from past years.
More goodies for you
- 20 commemorative posters, unframed ($900 value)
- 1 framed poster ($145 value)
- 10 commemorative t-shirts in your choice of style and sizes ($450 value)
- 6 VIP Club Packages: includes Opening Night VIP Party and VIP Club for the weekend ($810 value)
It’s easy to apply, and free!
Open to all professional 2D artists, with the understanding that if selected they will exhibit at ArtFest Fort Myers 2026 with appropriate tent, display and inventory.
There is NO FEE to submit artwork and an artist may submit up to three entries.
Submitted Artwork:
- should be representative of South Florida
- should appeal to a broad audience
- must be adaptable for reproduction in a traditional 16” x 20” print format
- must be adaptable for reproduction on a T-shirt (almost all artwork is)
- can be standard JPEG format for selection process
- artwork chosen for the Poster must be available in a maximum-quality JPEG format - resolution to print at 16” x 20” with a resolution of 300 dpi
2025 Poster Artist Winner
Christine Adele Moore
2025 Poster & T-shirt Collection
2021 Poster & T-shirt Collection
See posters from past years in the Festival Store.
