Cape Coral Art Festival draws crowds to the South Cape
Juried show attracts top artists and artisans from around the county
More than 100,000 people strolled Cape Coral Parkway this past weekend, taking in Cape Coral’s most popular event, the Cape Coral Art Festival.
Saturday and Sunday featured springlike weather and some of the most interesting and beautiful pieces of artwork displayed by more than 200 artists and artisans from around the county.
For more than 40 years, the Rotary of Cape Coral has brought this juried show to the community. Artists from all over the country were invited to show off their wares and hopefully make a few sales in the process.
Amy Rouskey, past president and foundation trustee at the Rotary, said more than 200 juried artists and 150 local companies in the business showcase came for the event.
“Artists submit their artwork online and people go through it and see if they are worthy of being in the show,” Rouskey said. “We’re looking for unique artists.
People were able to buy the usual assortments of jewelry, paintings, sculptures, and other items for around the house. Some of them were very interesting.
Skip Stang makes copper and steel wall hangings, all one-of-a-kind pieces. He said he has been doing this for 41 years and some of his more elaborate work takes two-plus weeks from start to finish.
“I didn’t listen to my mother and get a real job. I haven’t had a day off in 41 years and haven’t worked in 41 years,” Stang said. “This has been wonderful. Customerwise, the presentation by Rotary, the job they did was incredible. Makes it worthwhile to be here.”
Dinett Hok came from Georgia with her artwork made from flowers. A mixed-media three-dimensional piece using driftwood, metals including gold, and chemically preserved flowers. One of her items was more than $3,000.
“It takes a long time to make the vase and put everything together. It takes two weeks for the flowers. You have to do it in portions,” Hok said. “It’s been very busy so I’ve been really happy.”
Kent Webb of Bradenton presented works that incorporated recycled metal roofing with his father.
“My father got it and stared at it for a few years before we came up with a use for it. As a canvas for outdoor wall art,” Webb said. “It’s galvanized. It doesn’t rust. We use a UV stable epoxy and use our own pigments to make them very bright.”
Donna Elias of Fort Myers brought watercolors with her main theme being the beach.
“I’m a coastal artist. I mainly work in water colors with a lot of coastal scenes inside and outside the area. I paint a lot of beach scenes and maps,” Elias said. “I do a lot of local shows. This is my ninth year doing this show. I always have a great time and meet a great group of people.”
It was very easy to find those who had opened their wallets to purchase the artwork. One of those who was busy was a man who made wind chimes out of stone.
Donna Eastman has lived in Cape Coral for 40 years and has been to just about all the art fests. She bought a wind chime and has made buying something a habit.
“My daughter bought a wind chime here and my granddaughter has bought one, too. I thought I might as well,” Eastman said. “It’s crowded, but I love it. I love the vendors and it should be a good show.”
Carol Lawrence and her husband, Rob, bought paintings from local artist Qing Wang. She said she loved the originality of the art.
“We love the colors and that we’re buying from an original artist. We love to come here and find something unique for our home,” Lawrence said, who has lived in the city 34 years and has been to most of the art fests.