Mount Dora Arts Festival “A Celebration of Every Form of Art”
Written by Blair Townley
“I had no idea this festival was this big,” exclaims one woman, an obvious newcomer to one of the most recognized art festivals in Florida.
And why not? Unbeknownst to the woman, the festival draws an estimated 300,000 art enthusiasts and festival attendees throughout the course of the weekend in February each year.
Tents holding artwork of every color, size and form become the attractions to the crowds on the closed-off streets of downtown Mount Dora, housing also artists eager to describe the details of their work.
Among the 285 artists who appeared in the festival from the 5,000 artist entries were some from as far away as Connecticut, Wisconsin and New York as well as those from several Florida cities.
One artist in particular, glass and metal creator Rosemarie Brown of Mount Dora, had attempted the last 25 years to make it into the festival, finally getting a spot this year.
“It’s a great show and I’m so happy to be here,” says Rosemarie, whose art consists of ocean-oriented stained glass, glass and metal kaleidoscopes, and metal necklaces that change colors in sunlight.
Attendees given programs from the Mount Dora Center for the Arts saw the work of another Lake County artist present at the festival, Dodi Hurley Truenow of Tavares.
“This is my first tent experience here and it has been really positive,” says Dodi, who paints on location or uses photographs to create her artwork.
A native of Lake County, Dodi also runs Lake Jem Farms with her family but enjoys creating her nature-inspired pieces.
The festival poster has a painting of Dodi’s, a relaxing glimpse of downtown Mount Dora on one of its picture perfect afternoons. She also has paintings of memorable spots in the downtown area of neighboring DeLand.
A well-known celebrity was also a visitor to the festival, that of Cindy Williams from American Graffiti and Laverne & Shirley fame.
Cindy was located in the popular Uncle Al’s Time Capsule store, posing for pictures, signing autographs and reminiscing about her time in front of the camera.
She also talked about car shows she has attended with some American Graffiti cast members that are still popular attractions with all age ranges of fans. Hints were given that something similar to those car shows might happen soon in Mount Dora.
Music could be heard around the festival, whether from musicians’ personal booths or live on stage with energetic concerts given by groups such as the Royal Polynesian Review and Myra Watters Irish Dance Performance Group.
As for the sought-after food at the festival, bagged kettle popcorn from the Kettle Corn Hut seemed to be in everyone’s hands, including Cindy Williams, and as well as the popular South American treat arepas (corn patty sandwich with melted mozzarella cheese).
In all, the weekend was a success for all 285 artists and 300,000 festival attendees who came to satisfy their appetites for art, entertainment and Aerapas. See you next year in 2011 and prepared to be amazed, whether as a first-time artist, performer or overwhelmed attendee.
Congratulations to James Casey for winning first place, and $5,000, at this past weekend’s 35th Annual Mount Dora Arts Festival. Jim is a sculptor of Western art and is located in Clermont.
Loading ...
