VERO BEACH — On February 6, Saturday In The Park with Authors & Artists was free, open to the public, and a fun-filled, educational day for art and book lovers, families and casual festival-goers. It was also a joint venture between Vero Beach Main Street and the Treasure Coast Writers Guild. The first Saturday of every month authors and artists set up on the Heritage Center lawn in Downtown Vero Beach from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00pm. The upcoming festival dates and the last 2 for the 20009-2010 season are March 6th and April 3rd. Proceeds benefit community literacy and the preservation of Downtown Vero Beach.
The Feb 6 show featured eighteen exhibiting artists: Linda McVay, Joel Beaird, Joseph and Debra Perdue Eileen Farrell, Terri Finethy, Stacy Ekey, Bonnie L. Phelan, Marlowe Olson Arnold, Joan Cady, Walt Schreiber, and mixed media artist Mary Ellen Koser; ceramic/pottery artists, the Mad Potters Association of Vero Beach and Debra Bowden, who’s also a sculptor; photographers Jean Williams, Cynthia Burkhardt, and woodcarvers: Joe Miller, Rick Cox and Mike Bryan. The “Mad Potter’s” tent offered handmade ceramic artwork and conducted live demos at their pottery wheel; Red’s Workshop exhibited stained glass and hand painted terra cotta pots. Joe Miller, the award-winning woodcarver who designed a walking stick for Johnny Depp, gave 15-minute demos.
Twenty-two authors signed their books, including Jean Williams, Barbara Underwood, James McVay, Jim Vogt, Cynthia Hurst, Tim Slaven, Geoff Yeagley, Leona DeRosa Bodie, Patrick Lennon, Gene Hull, Diane DesRochers, Jane Caracci, Janet Smith, Mario Mozilla, Bert and Almut Metzroth, Bob Morrissey, Christine Murphy, Janet Sierzant, Peter Hasse, Malcolm Mahr, June Walters, Bette Crosby and Billie Atamer.
WriteByNight, a creative writing workshop series and copywriting service sponsored by The Arts Council, Inc. Serving Stuart & Martin County, provided information on their 8-week Spring poetry, screenwriting and creative writing workshop sessions, as well as their private instruction and manuscript consultations.
Another show highlight was its Valentines Month celebration with a love poem contest, music by Tom Brown and and a special program of creative activities for children, such as crafting their own Valentine Cards and story time. Sunside Fun Snowballs hosted the Snowball Olympics Fundraiser. Snowball Olympic participants helped their elementary, middle or high school earn money. When students bought their Snowball Olympic tickets and mentioned their school, 15% of their ticket proceeds went back to their school.
To apply for vendor space, download the application on the Main Street Vero Beach website www.mainstreetverobeach.org.