Saturday and Sunday, February 6 & 7, 2027
Opening Night Friday, February 5, 2027

The VIP Experience at ArtFest Fort Myers

December 10, 2012 by

Press Release

Contact: Sharon McAllister
239-768-3602
Sharon.McAllister@ArtFestFortMyers.com
ArtFestFortMyers.com

REALLY, isn’t it about time that you were treated in VIP style? Ron Bucher, Vice President of Investments at Raymond James, will be welcoming ArtFest Fort Myers’ guests to the VIP Experience for his 10th year at the art festival. Your VIP Experience at ArtFest Fort Myers includes all things artfully pampered.

Begin Friday evening, February 1, 2013, with special reserved parking, as you make your way to our VIP Tent on Opening Night. Delectable food from some of our area’s finest restaurants and great wine are just the beginning, as the evening also includes an extraordinary sampling of 60 festival artists and surprise performances.

Over festival weekend, your VIP Experience includes a reserved parking space just for you adjacent to the festival site, exclusive access to our VIP Terrace with complimentary mid-day lunch, all-day beverages and the special gift of a commemorative festival poster. “I am so proud to be a sponsor of this wonderful event,” explains Ron Bucher. “The arts have helped to define our community and add to our quality of life.”

The VIP Experience is $75 per person and your support contributes to the year-round ArtFest Fort Myers’ art education outreach programs. To enjoy the ArtFest Fort Myers VIP Experience and the 200 artists as a Very Important Patron, visit Upgrade To VIP at ArtFestFortMyers.com or call 239-768-3602.

ArtFest Fort Myers, the annual juried fine art festival, takes place February 1, 2  & 3, 2013 in the Fort Myers River District. Join the experience with 200 professional artists from across the county and around the world; the largest high school art exhibit and competition in South Florida and free interactive art experiences for children of all ages.

For more information visit ArtFestFortMyers.com or contact us at 239-768-3602.

Volunteers Make a Difference at ArtFest Fort Myers

November 26, 2012 by

Press Release

Contact: Sharon McAllister
239-768-3602
Sharon.McAllister@ArtFestFortMyers.com
ArtFestFortMyers.com

ArtFest Fort Myers, southwest Florida’s premier fine art festival, is looking for volunteers to help make our lucky 13th year the very best ever. “Three hundred volunteers are the backbone of our art festival,” says Ethel Willis, Volunteer Coordinator. “We could not put on a world class fine art festival without the help of every volunteer and Lee County Electric Cooperative, our Volunteer Sponsor!”

The core of the ArtFest Fort Myers volunteer spirit is centered around the teamwork of 40 fabulous volunteer Steering Committee Members, who have been with the art festival for many years and oversee every aspect of this nationally recognized art experience. “Our dedicated Committee Members come from all walks of life and work together all weekend to make sure that the professional artists, our sponsors and VIP’s, our volunteers and our visitors have a great time at ArtFest Fort Myers,” explains Willis. “Many of these great people began as four-hour volunteers years ago and embraced additional responsibilities to make ArtFest Fort Myers on of the finest art festivals in the country!”

Volunteer perks include reserved parking, a complimentary artistic ArtFest Fort Myers Volunteer T-shirt in your size, water, snacks and a chance to meet other great volunteers from our community!

Signing up to volunteer with ArtFest Fort Myers on February 1st, 2nd or 3rd is as simple as visiting ArtFestFortMyers.com and choosing the available volunteer job that interests you! Your 4-hour volunteer shift truly makes a difference to the community and there is no experience required! The deadline for Volunteer Registration is coming soon, so sign up today!

Plan now to join ArtFest Fort Myers in the downtown Fort Myers River District as we make art come to life on February 1, 2 & 3, 2013. Enjoy the experience with 200 artists from across the county and around the world; the largest high school art exhibit and competition in South Florida and free interactive art experiences for children of all ages.

For more information visit ArtFestFortMyers.com or contact us at 239-768-3602.

Artists Announced for ArtFest Fort Myers 2013!

November 22, 2012 by

ArtFest Fort Myers is excited to announce the 200 artists for the fine art festival February 1, 2  & 3, 2013. Over 800 artists from across the country and around the world apply and only the best-of-the-best were chosen.

Get a sneak peek at the artwork at ArtFestFortMyers.com/gallery. You can even click through to the artist’s website and make your art shopping plans.

Certain to delight all attendees are sculpture, painting, ceramics, photography, printmaking, drawing, digital, mixed media, ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, wearable fiber and wood. Be sure to take advantage of this unique opportunity to come to ArtFest Fort Myers and talk to individual artists and buy Made-by the-Artist artwork. They love to share the stories of how their work is created and what inspires them.

To select the 200 artists who will show their work at ArtFest Fort Myers 2013, a panel of five art professionals looked at 3200 images representing the 815 artists who applied to part of the fine art festival.  The jury process takes an entire day and critical decisions regarding which artwork will be a part of the festival come down to averaging the five jury scores.  Artists with the highest scores, in each medium, are invited to attend ArtFest Fort Myers.

“We provide our jury panel, all artists in their own right, with a basic set of criteria”, explains Sharon McAllister, ArtFest Fort Myers Executive Director.  “They are reminded to consider artistic merit, technical competence and presentation, as they score each artists’ work. They always look for that unique combination of craftsmanship and inventiveness that is clearly original. Of course, our jury members bring their own individual criteria to determine excellence in art.  This impartial system insures that the best-of-the-best will be represented at our fine art festival each year. And, we are fortunate to be able to use state-of-the-art equipment at Edison State College to host our jury panel.”

Artists Announced for ArtFest Fort Myers 2013

November 22, 2012 by

Press Release

Contact: Sharon McAllister
239-768-3602
Sharon.McAllister@ArtFestFortMyers.com
ArtFestFortMyers.com

ArtFest Fort Myers is excited to announce the 200 artists for the fine art festival February 1, 2  & 3, 2013. Over 800 artists from across the country and around the world apply and only the best-of-the-best were chosen.

Get a sneak peek at the artwork at ArtFestFortMyers.com/gallery. You can even click through to the artist’s website and make your art shopping plans.

Certain to delight all attendees are sculpture, painting, ceramics, photography, printmaking, drawing, digital, mixed media, ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, wearable fiber and wood. Be sure to take advantage of this unique opportunity to come to ArtFest Fort Myers and talk to individual artists and buy Made-by the-Artist artwork. They love to share the stories of how their work is created and what inspires them.

To select the 200 artists who will show their work at ArtFest Fort Myers 2013, a panel of five art professionals looked at 3200 images representing the 815 artists who applied to part of the fine art festival.  The jury process takes an entire day and critical decisions regarding which artwork will be a part of the festival come down to averaging the five jury scores.  Artists with the highest scores, in each medium, are invited to attend ArtFest Fort Myers.

“We provide our jury panel, all artists in their own right, with a basic set of criteria”, explains Sharon McAllister, ArtFest Fort Myers Executive Director.  “They are reminded to consider artistic merit, technical competence and presentation, as they score each artists’ work. They always look for that unique combination of craftsmanship and inventiveness that is clearly original. Of course, our jury members bring their own individual criteria to determine excellence in art.  This impartial system insures that the best-of-the-best will be represented at our fine art festival each year. And, we are fortunate to be able to use state-of-the-art equipment at Edison State College to host our jury panel.”

 
ArtFest Fort Myers, the annual juried fine art festival, takes place February 1, 2  & 3, 2013 in the Fort Myers River District. Join the experience with 200 artists from across the county and around the world; the largest high school art exhibit and competition in South Florida and free interactive art experiences for children of all ages. The art festival is FREE to everyone but you can enjoy VIP perks as well. For more information visit ArtFestFortMyers.com and Like Us on Facebook.

ArtFest Fort Myers High School Art Competition – Art Under 20

November 12, 2012 by

Press Release

Contact: Sharon McAllister
239-768-3602
Sharon.McAllister@ArtFestFortMyers.com
ArtFestFortMyers.com

Art Under 20 is a visual art exhibit and competition for Lee County high school students, who exhibit their work at ArtFest Fort Myers as they compete for $7,000 in cash awards. Awards are given to the best student artists in six categories: Digital, Drawing, Painting, Photography, 3-D and Mixed Media.

Edison State College is the Presenting Sponsor of Art Under 20 as part of their mission to “ . . . create an innovative education system which provides accessible educational pathways that prepare students to be enlightened and productive citizens.”

ArtFest Fort Myers created this exhibit and competition 13 years ago to encourage students in their pursuit of art and to encourage community support of art programs in our schools. Kristin Woolam, Art Under 20 Chairman explains “Each year hundreds of students exhibit their artwork in a gallery style tent to thousands of family members, teachers, friends and 70,000 admiring art festival attendees.”

All Lee County high school students (public, private and home-schooled) are invited to participate in Art Under 20 showcasing artwork created exclusively by them. Entries will be accepted in 6 categories: Digital, Drawing, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, and 3-Dimensional.

Entry forms and more information are available through all Lee County high school art departments or at ArtFestFortMyers.com. Application deadline for the 2013 exhibit & competition is December 7, 2012.

ArtFest Fort Myers, the annual juried fine art festival, takes place February 1, 2  & 3, 2013 in the Fort Myers River District. The art festival’s mission is to provide the community with an exceptional art experience, nurture the understanding of diverse art forms and support arts in education. Join the experience with 200 artists from across the county and around the world; the largest high school art exhibit and competition in South Florida and free interactive art experiences for children of all ages.

For more information about supporting the ArtFest Fort Myers art education outreach program visit ArtFestFortMyers.com or contact us at 239-768-3602 or info@ArtFestFortMyers.com.

After-School Art Clubs Inspire Students

November 6, 2012 by

Press Release

Contact: Sharon McAllister
239-768-3602
Sharon.McAllister@ArtFestFortMyers.com
ArtFestFortMyers.com

Adding an exciting art experience to our elementary after-school programs is the focus of the ArtFest Fort Myers Art Clubs.  This collaborative effort of southwest Florida’s premier art festival and Edison State College provides young students with an opportunity to get creative and have fun. Student teachers from Edison State College head up these clubs, while ArtFest Fort Myers provides the art supplies and facilitates a mentoring program between Karen Flanders, art teacher at Edison Park Creative & Expressive Arts School, and the Edison State College teacher candidates.

This Fall, the Art Club after-school art experiences take place at Orangewood Elementary, Colonial Elementary and Orange River Elementary. A broad variety of projects, include weaving, watercolor, sculpture, collage and more will give hands-on art experience to elementary students and real world teaching experience to Edison State teacher candidates. What an exciting opportunity for everyone to explore the arts!

ArtFest Fort Myers, the annual juried fine art festival, takes place February 1, 2  & 3, 2013 in the Fort Myers River District. Join the experience with 200 professional artists from across the county and around the world; the largest high school art exhibit and competition in South Florida and free interactive art experiences for children of all ages.  For more information about supporting the ArtFest Fort Myers art education outreach program visit ArtFestFortMyers.com or contact us at 239-768-3602 or info@ArtFestFortMyers.com.

Art Clubs at Boys & Girls Club

November 6, 2012 by

Press Release

Contact: Sharon McAllister
239-768-3602
Sharon.McAllister@ArtFestFortMyers.com
ArtFestFortMyers.com

The Shady Oaks Boys & Girls Club is where coloring outside the lines is not only fun but encouraged! The Art Club provides children with the opportunity to create great art projects under the direction of a dedicated art teacher and is made possible with the support of ArtFest Fort Myers and IBERIABANK. “Providing kids with a creative outlet for them to experience art at this young age helps to instill an appreciation and love of art that will last a lifetime,” said Bill Valenti, Market President for IBERIABANK. “Art brings joy, and we are proud to be a part of this program at Shady Oaks”.

Teri Aldred, a well-known mosaic artist and educator, is partnering with ArtFest Fort Myers to provide fun weekly art projects for Shady Oaks children.  Creating clay creatures, working with watercolor and pastels to make wonderful collages, fabric painting, and crafting wonderful jewelry are a sampling of the art projects in store. “The arts provide every student with a means for learning,” explains Teri, “and it is invaluable to have the support of IBERIABANK, who is committed to extending a helping hand in our community.”

ArtFest Fort Myers, the annual juried fine art festival, takes place February 1, 2  & 3, 2013 in the Fort Myers River District. The art festival’s mission is to provide the community with an exceptional art experience, nurture the understanding of diverse art forms and support arts in education. Join the experience with 200 artists from across the county and around the world; the largest high school art exhibit and competition in South Florida and free interactive art experiences for children of all ages.

For more information about supporting the ArtFest Fort Myers art education outreach program visit ArtFestFortMyers.com or contact us at 239-768-3602 or info@ArtFestFortMyers.com.

ArtFest Fort Myers 2013 – Where Sponsorship Means Business

October 30, 2012 by

Press Release

Contact: Sharon McAllister
239-768-3602
Sharon.McAllister@ArtFestFortMyers.com
ArtFestFortMyers.com

ArtFest Fort Myers, southwest Florida’s premier art festival, is pleased to welcome sponsors who know that the “arts mean business” in Lee County! The support of these forward-thinking companies enables the production of a nationally recognized art experience for our community that is FREE to the public. They also support the art festival’s many year-round art education outreach initiatives.

Joining ArtFest Fort Myers for the first time are Lincoln automotive and Lee Memorial Health System. The art festival is delighted to receive the support of such prestigious brands as Lincoln and Lee Memorial Health System.

Publix Super Markets, an art festival supporter since 2002, hosts our children and families in the Publix Art Yard with many opportunities for learning and having imaginative fun, family style!

Art Under 20, south Florida’s largest high school exhibit and competition, is sponsored by Edison State College and awards $7,000 to winning students. This 100 foot, gallery-style tent is located in the heart of ArtFest Fort Myers and is filled with the artwork of 300+ high school students.

IBERIABANK, a 3rd year participant in the art festival, will be celebrating 125 years of excellence at ArtFest Fort Myers by sharing the art of the perfect Photo Booth shot. They also support the art festival’s Art Club at the Shady Oaks Boys & Girls Club.

FloridaBlue, entering their 4th year with the art festival, wants to insure that all your tomorrows are healthy and affordable and their FloridaBlue Mobile Unit will join us in pursuit of the art of health!

Ron Bucher, Raymond James Wealth Manager, joins the art festival for the 9th year, as the sponsor of the VIP Experience.  Ron hosts the Friday Night Opening Party VIP Tent and the VIP Terrace all weekend long. He also provides VIPs with reserved parking and a commemorative festival poster.

The support of the City of Fort Myers, the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency, the Tourist Development Council and the Visitor & Convention Bureau confirms that art and culture are an integral part of what matters to the City of Fort Myers and Lee County.

Media Partners The News-Press, WINK-TV, and Travelhost Magazine insure that the art festival and all its attendees and supporters are will informed.

ArtFest Fort Myers, the annual juried fine art festival, takes place February 1, 2  & 3, 2013 in the Fort Myers River District. The art festival’s mission is to provide the community with an exceptional art experience, nurture the understanding of diverse art forms and support arts in education. Join the experience with 200 artists from across the county and around the world; the largest high school art exhibit and competition in South Florida and free interactive art experiences for children of all ages.

Interested in joining these forward-thinking companies as an ArtFest Fort Myers sponsor?  We are committed to meeting your company’s marketing objectives with customized opportunities to get your message to 75,000 consumers. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, visit ArtFestFortMyers.com or contact us at 239-768-3602 or info@ArtFestFortMyers.com.

ArtFest Fort Myers Board Expands

October 30, 2012 by

Press Release

Contact: Sharon McAllister
239-768-3602
Sharon.McAllister@ArtFestFortMyers.com
ArtFestFortMyers.com

As ArtFest Fort Myers adds new Board of Directors members, it is timely to reflect on the message that the “arts mean business” in Lee County. The recently released Arts & Economic Prosperity Study by the American’s for the Arts specifically included Lee County. Our community’s non-profit arts & culture organizations generate 2,038 annual full-time jobs and $68.3 million in annual economic impact!

The arts are truly an “economic engine” sustaining an industry that is one of the fastest growing in the State of Florida. Supporting the arts does more than create quality of life – supporting the arts create jobs!

ArtFest Fort Myers welcomes these new Board of Directors members and their commitment to “arts mean business” and bringing a world-class art experience to our community:

Laura Chmielewski, the Marketing Director of the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau, brings her passion for the arts and extensive experience in destination marketing and event management.

Mark Loren, owner of Loren Designs, has a love of the arts and reputation for giving back to the community. He is creating valuable partnership ideas within the arts community and its supporters.

Alberto Rodriguez, Chief Administrative Officer Lee County School District shares his commitment to providing Lee County students with a well-rounded education that includes the arts.

Long-term and dedicated Board members Judy Weiner, Artist Relations Chair, Kristin Woolam, Art Under 20 Chair, and Sharon McAllister, Executive Director complete the ArtFest Fort Myers Board of Directors.

ArtFest Fort Myers, the annual juried fine art festival, takes place February 1, 2  & 3, 2013 in the Fort Myers River District. The art festival’s mission is to provide the community with an exceptional art experience, nurture the understanding of diverse art forms and support arts in education. Join the experience with 200 artists from across the county and around the world; the largest high school art exhibit and competition in South Florida and free interactive art experiences for children of all ages.

For more information visit ArtFestFortMyers.com or contact us at 239-768-3602.

How to Build Sales Before and After an Art Festival

July 7, 2012 by

You are the perfect person to build your business and wonderful art "brand" by using Marketing & Promotion all year long and here are some helpful tips to get you started:

The Internet has given everyone (especially artists with artwork for sale) great and free tools to increase sales.

Have an email list

Capture the email addresses of everyone you meet.

Cultivate a list of people who purchase from you or who are interested in your work. You may not mail (post office) to them due to the high costs. However, emailing -- now that is a great tool. Your list needs to include: their name, city and state, year, what they bought (or interested in) and email address.

How are you going to use that list?

  • Get the list into a database so you can sort it - Excel will work if that is all you can do. Or let the attendees do it for you at the art festival. Have an iPad or other tablet? Let people enter their own information -- they love to touch the tablets.
  • Email the people in the area when you will be there next. There are many effective ways to do this -- you can do much more than just a message. But that's another article.
  • Send out regular emails or newsletters (Constant Contact has user-friendly templates) to your list of customers, friends and family can keep everyone abreast of your accomplishments. And excited about their next purchase from you.
  • Need some sample topics that can be as detailed or simple as you like and will help to keep you top of mind with all your fans?

New art pieces you are currently working on
(with a sneak peak at your studio?)

Your shows, exhibits and where you will be

Stories about your weekend events or latest patron

Awards or honors that you have received

Community activities or groups that you
are involved with

Collaboration with other artists or organizations

Think what would happen if all 200 artists at an art festival sent emails or eNewletters inviting their followers to the festival. You would all be swamped with great buyers.

Have a website

Have one - have a great one - have a mobile-friendly one.

Modern website basics - people (buyers) see you on many devices:

  • With the plethora of smart phones and tablets art patrons are always exploring on-line. Is your website mobile-friendly as well as desktop friendly? Have you looked at your website on a phone, a tablet, a desktop computer? Have you looked at it in Explorer, Safari, Chrome, Firefox? Do you look great everywhere and is it easy to lead viewers to the all important “buy”?
  • How do you know your website is mobile-friendly? Easy - does it automatically scale to be readable on all devices or do viewers have to "pinch"?
  • Update your gallery page regularly with work that is currently available for purchase.
  • List the events where you are participating, with a link to the event web site (on the event's site buyers will find maps, driving directions, event hours, hotel information to make their journey to find you much easier). Plus your viewers see the other great artists who will be at the upcoming festival - making them eager to come see you too.
  • Introduce yourself, your techniques, your inspiration and your passion to website visitors, in text & images and perhaps with a video from your studio - people love to watch videos.
  • Keep your website current, always fresh and exciting.

Give your website address to the art festivals - most art festivals have an on-line gallery and will link  to your website promoting sales for you year-round. The art festivals also visit your website to find interesting information for press releases (more promo for you) and look for poster artists and images to include in ads (more promo for you).

Facebook

You may not believe in it or like it, but it is a great way to build fans and get more exposure.

If you have a Facebook page (that promotes your artwork) then LIKE the art festivals in which you participate and post to their page and add photos. Ask them to LIKE your page in return. Together we can draw buyers to the art festivals.

Facebook and other social media channels change their delivery all the time (seems like every week). Engage someone to assist you in making the most of current trends in these on-line channels.

When you post your latest artwork on Facebook, be sure to square up your images for the biggest impact and, while you are at it, share a carousel of several pieces or show a work in progress. Did you know that you can "boost" a great post of yours to a specific Zip Code (perhaps your next show location) for a minimal cost with great potential results? And don't forget to set up a "Store Page" on your Facebook page, so you are ready for that artwork purchase from a Facebook friend.

Participate in
Art festival promotions

Art festival staffs send out press releases, create magazine articles, do radio & TV interviews, post Facebook articles and photos and many similar activities. They need interesting artist stories -- give them yours!

Email exactly what you would like them to say about you and your artwork. Send along images of your artwork (and you) and you will be surprised how often it gets published just like you wrote it.

Sign up to be a part of any and all art festival promotions like t-shirt, poster and program artwork. If the art festival has an opportunity to sign up to be considered for any of those -- do it -- most of the time it's a free entry. If you win, your artwork will be printed on hundreds of promotional items, a great advertising tool.

Ask about any other events the festival is doing in and around the festival weekend. Be a part of Opening Night or VIP parties. There may be a minimal cost for this, but it's well worth ir to have a couple of extra hours to sell to high end buyers.

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SAVE THE DATE FOR 2027!

Saturday and Sunday, February 6th & 7th

Opening Night Friday, February 5th, 2027

On the waterfront in historic downtown Fort Myers

Phone: 239-768-3602

Email: info@artfestfortmyers.com

Love ArtFest Fort Myers? Don't miss the Babcock Ranch Art Show!

Boutique Show • 65 Fine Artists
Great Food & Beverages
Youth Art Activities

March 14-15, 2026
Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 4pm
Babcock Ranch, FL

We're delighted to have helped Babcock Ranch launch this show with artists of the quality you enjoy every year at ArtFest Fort Myers.

LEARN MORE

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