SEBASTIAN — Turnout might not have been as great Saturday as organizers would have liked at the annual Sebastian Riverfront Fine Art and Music Festival, but many of those who did brave the strong winds and scattered showers went home with unique pieces of art.
Marie and Dick Clothier didn’t let the weather stop them from coming out to find one more painting for their home.
“This is the third piece we’ve bought,” Marie said of the watercolor land- and waterscape Dick was carrying in a plastic bag.
The Clothiers have attended the festival before and said that the variety of art is something you can’t find in stores.
It was a common comment lead organizer Lisanne Robinson said she heard repeated throughout the day.
“There’s just a little bit of everything,” she said, adding that the pieces range from starters – those created for people just starting their collections – to investor pieces, and the prices range accordingly.
The festival, which got off to a wet start Saturday, continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Robinson said the winds coming off the lagoon early Saturday demolished a couple artists’ tents, though no art was in the tents at the time.
She said she was almost in tears at 5:45 a.m. as the rain came pouring down. By the time the festival started, the rain stopped, though the clouds remained. Throughout the day, festivalgoers juggled umbrellas with their purchases and ducked into artists’ booths to wait out the showers.
“It’s the risk of any outdoor art show,” Robinson said.
Melbourne artist Bill McCoy returned to the festival to again show off his oils as well as demonstrate his techniques while painting a pasture scene inspired by a photo he had taken along A1A in Grant, just north of Sebastian in Brevard County.
“This painting has already sold twice,” McCoy said, marveling that it wasn’t even complete and two people wanted to buy it.
One buyer is from Kentucky, McCoy said. The other’s from New Jersey and is willing to buy it if the Kentucky buyer doesn’t come back for it. If need be, he’ll paint another one, he said.
This is McCoy’s fourth year participating the juried art show.
“I love it,” he said. “It’s a great festival. The people are nice. The crowds are great. And the artists are talented.”
But the best part? “Being on the river is wonderful,” McCoy said.
Along with the art, music is a big part of the festival. Penny Creek performed Saturday, as did Sleeping Dogs, and Albert Castaglia. On Sunday, the musical line up will include Lost in ‘da Mail, Professor Pennygoodes Mighty Flea Circus, and Ben Prestage.
