DELAND, Fla. — The DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts 2012 event support campaign is in progress. The event will be held on Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18 in downtown DeLand. The Festival is celebrating its 20th year and attracts over 50,000 visitors each year during the 2-day weekend event. The juried selection of international and national artist with their works will number between 165 to 185 after the selection process. Approximately $25,000 in artist awards in different categories will be awarded by the event judges at the Festival. Steve Howell is the 2012 Featured Artist. Steve has a long association with the Festival and the Museum of Florida Art. Working from his studio in Gainesville, Florida, he creates Majolica Ware, Saggar Fired Vessels and Sculpture. His work has been recognized with multiple awards, group and solo exhibitions and is included in numerous museum and private collections.
The 20 member all-volunteer board finances the cost of the event every year through sponsorships. Sponsorship levels start at $1500 and include benefits such as marketing booth spaces, company banners, advertising recognition, pre-festival event invitations and artist signed art posters. All sponsors also receive $250 in art purchase vouchers for the 2 day event.
The DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts Patron Program also supplies funding for the event. This program provides program participants with purchase vouchers spent directly with the artist for pieces during the Festival, less $100 that is retained by the Festival for the costs of exclusive Patron events and benefits. The Patron Program starts at the $350 level. This support increases the quality of participating artists by providing a guarantee that there are funds available in the community and committed to purchasing artwork at the event.
The DeLand Fall Festival provides free public access to artists from around the world. The Festival is dedicated to those who create as well as those who appreciate and collect art of various media. Visitors to the show will experience painting, glass, sculpture, jewelry, leather, photography, printmaking, wood, ceramics, and fiber. It is also an entertainment venue for professional local, national and international performing groups. Over the two day event, visitors to the Festival enjoy a broad range of performances from groups representing a variety of styles from blues, folk, and rock to jazz and world music. The Festival presents music to the community at two central locations as well as acoustical acts throughout the Festival. In the youth area located on West Indiana Avenue and in the historic Athens Theatre, the Festival has created an oasis of children’s activities and learning opportunities. The Festival hosts an area dedicated to visual and performing arts experiences for children. Visitors can explore a variety of media in the hands-on art area.
The DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts is presented every November through a partnership between the MainStreet DeLand Association, Museum of Florida Art and the Sands Theater Center. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship or the Patron Program should e-mail sponsors@delandfallfestival.com or visit the website at www.delandfallfestival.com
WFTV
