VERO BEACH — Clear blue skies and white puffy clouds graced Vero Beach Friday for the opening of the 63rd annual Under the Oaks Fine Arts and Crafts Show, held in Riverside Park. The wind whipped as more than 200 artists from all over the country exhibited their creations, and art lovers ambled along the paths, amid the shady oaks, scouting the scene.
Under the Oaks is the largest public event on the Treasure Coast and the Southeast drawing more than 80,000 visitors. The event continues Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., respectively. Admission is free.
Sunshine Artist Magazine rates Under the Oaks in the Top 200 nationwide. Artists and patrons alike have voted it the “best arts and crafts festival in Florida” by Florida Magazine.
Artists are invited to participate in the show each year with ribbons and monetary awards presented in eight categories.
On Friday, traffic was backed up on the Barber Bridge, and the parking lots overflowed onto the grass by the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Patience was required to navigate the parking gauntlet, but the wait was worth it.
“I am very happy with the turnout and the weather,” said Vero Beach resident Rita Ziegler, who was exhibiting her watercolors. “It’s a very interactive crowd, which makes it fun. And they’re buying.” Ziegler won the Rita Card Award for outstanding watercolor artist.
Although several artists were from the area, many exhibitors traveled from cold, snowy places for the three day event.
A weekend in sunny Vero Beach was just one reason Carolyn Currie, an oil and acrylic artist from New Milford, Connecticut, was exhibiting her works at Under the Oaks.
“This is a quality show with a great reputation,” said Currie, who exhibited last year and sold a few of her paintings, as well as obtaining commissions. “The people are nice.”
Wandering the maze of paths through a plethora of exquisite art works, including paintings, sculpture, digital art, pottery, jewelry, and creative crafts was a mesmerizing experience. In addition to exquisite works of art, guests had their choice of food and beverages, including soft pretzels, lemonade, shaved ice, burgers, panini, funnel cake, sausage, fish, shrimp, conch, and pork. Tables were set up for dining al fresco.
Under the Oaks award winners included Gail Markiewicz, who won the Richard and Lillian Becker Family Foundation Award for Best in Show. James Moshier won the Maurice Rushing Award for outstanding metal artist. The winner of the Anne Marye Barnes Award, given to a local artist of merit was Paul Davis, who paints in oils and acrylics. The Jean Nagy Memorial Award was presented to Minahshe De, for outstanding oils and acrylics.
Other winners included William McCarthy, Gary Curtis, Greg Barnes, Joan Earnhart, Holly Manneck, William Kidd, Patricio Ferreira, and Steven Radtke.
Art club volunteers kept the crowd flowing and informed.
“We’ve been very busy,” said one volunteer, manning the entrance. “People have been very generous with donations. Saturday and Sunday will be even bigger than this.”
Proceeds from the Under the Oaks Fine Art and Crafts Show are presented as a gift to the City of Vero Beach Recreation Department to underwrite the arts and crafts supplies for its art programs.
