About Us

The Suncoast Arts Fest was awarded the 2009 Event of the Year by the Pasco County Tourism Development Council!

Our History...Ourwe decided to move the event to the front of Longleaf on a larger parcel of land. 

In 2010, the SAF changed dates to the 3rd week of January so that the event would not conflict with another arts event closeby. 101,000 visitors came to see the 106 fine artists and craftsmen at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel. Six other arts venues joined the SAF this year: Leepa Rattner Museum of Fine Art, Pasco Arts Council, Progress Energy Art Gallery, West Pasco Art Guild, Pasco Hernando Community College and the Pioneer Museum helped round out arts destinations around Pasco County! Chalk artists were introduced this year, and initiatives to support our beneficiary, Art for Kids in Pasco County, were announced at the 2010 event!   

In 2009, the art show moved to The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, Florida, 2 miles east of I-75. Because of the success of the fine arts event at this location... 70,000 visitors, 85 incredible fine artists and craftsmen, the live broadcast of WMNF 88.5fm throughout the weekend coupled with incredible live performances from regional professional entertainers and community youth entertainers, The Shops at Wiregrass became the new home for the Suncoast Arts Fest fine arts event.

In 2008, the art show moved to the seventeen acre parcel located at the corner of SR 54 and Starkey Blvd, and the name was changed to the Suncoast Arts Fest. Though the primary focus of the event is to promote fine artists and craftsmen, we were joined this year by WMNF 88.5fm Community Public Radio and the addition of Taste of Pasco. The best community youth entertainment became a focus, and youth performers from all over Pasco County filled slots in between the great entertainment brought in by WMNF 88.5fm radio. Al "Coffee" McDaniel, Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets, Pickford Sundries, and Hybrid Groove performed at the event showcasing  WMNF live entertainment at the show. Youth culinary arts were promoted this year with Marchmen vocational Technical School students providing the culinary treats for the "artist "Meet and Greet". 

Our 2007 included sixty juried artists, as well as local 10th-12th grade emerging artists.  Wonderful musical entertainment was provided, and the public responded enthusiastically. Because of the size the art show was growing to, we decided to move the event to the front of Longleaf on a larger parcel of land. 

On December 10th, 2005, the 1st Annual Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green was held. Twenty three fine artists from all over the US were juried into our show.  To highlight community artists, thirty of “Pasco’s Finest” artists were selected to represent the variety of fine artists and fine craftsmen locally.  Our "Emerging Artists" consisting of 10th grade through 12th grade students, were given an opportunity to display their finest work as well! 

Our Corporation - Fine Arts of the Suncoast

Fine Arts of the Suncoast, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for –profit corporation whose mission is to develop a community culture that embraces the arts.   The corporation is organized exclusively for charitable and promotional purposes, including, without limitation to accomplish the following purposes:

• Provide a quality fine arts show within the Pasco County.

• Promote all arts for children in Pasco County.

• Increase the awareness of the arts in Pasco County.

Our Beneficiary - Art for Kids in Pasco County

(click here for more about beneficiary)

Raising funds for the benefit of Art For Kids in Pasco County is a primary goal that this event works towards.  Each year, funds raised will go toward helping the advancement of services for visual and performing art needs of kids in Pasco County schools, both public and private.

Every year at the event, a special container will be in clear sight where visitors are welcome to drop off new art supplies.  These art supplies are provided to Pasco County schools, both public and private.

In 2010, we hope to acheive1) the formation of a county wide web based arts club, 2) a website specifically geared towards showing youth and parents where to find college degrees and training in the creative industry fields and 3) to make a Smart Phone App that will direct visitors to the SAF events.

 We hope to worked with TBBCA.org, colleges and other supporters that see the value of the arts in business and the community.  

The 2009 SAF  funds are being used to promote elementary art where there have been cuts due to lack of funding in Pasco County.

The 2008 SAF raised funds that were used to send fifty 11th - 12th graders to the Ringling College of Art and Design for "Portfolio Day", where 53 national arts colleges review works of aspiring art students in a variety of creative fields.

The 2007 show raised enough funds for five "Art to Go' teaching trunks full of visual and performing arts resources.  These trunks can be used by all Pasco County schools and trunk themes are:

• Modern Art: including books, videos, posters, sculptures and mobiles.

• Printmaking: including books, videos, lesson plans, Gyotaku fish print models, brayers and ink trays.

• Theater: Viola Spolin - Theater Game File, on stage theater games, activities for kids, props (all from Spolin Collection).

• Egypt: Artifacts

• Native American Art 

In 2005, fine artist Christopher Still along with our organization made a presentation of ten of his murals depicting Florida history.  These framed prints along with interactive audio CD’s and teacher lessons were placed in a “traveling tub” that can be used by all Pasco County Schools both public and  private, K-12.  The original murals currently hang in the House of Representatives located in Tallahassee, Florida.  Pasco County school board members, art teachers, students and the public were invited to Longleaf Elementary School for this presentation. 

Testimonials

"Proceeds from the show will be used to enhance arts education in our schools.  This will be a wonderful way for many different community members to come together for a common cause that will benefit us all.  I am certain this show will attract tourists to our community, eventually becoming an anticipated annual event."

~ Mike Fasano

State Senator

District 11

"A firm commitment to visual and performing arts is the hallmark of a great community.  One of the best ways to build that commitment is through fine art shows.  These events make the arts accessible to a broad audience, while also fostering a sense of place and community identity.  The Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green complements the Gasparilla, Mainsail, and Dunedin Art Harvest shows, and promises to match those shows in both quality of the art and the benefit to the surrounding area."

~ Frank Starkey

"An arts festival such as this one benefits the local community financially by attracting a wide variety of visitors who not only spend money on arts purchases and associated things like food, but also get acquainted with the neighborhood and might want to shop and move there."

~ Melinda Chavez

(Past) Executive Director

Tampa Bay Business Committee for the Arts

"Great venue for a fine art show - it has a hometown feel.  In my various roles in the arts community, I've had more people offer positive comment about that show - artists and visitors alike."

~ Lynn Whitelaw

Director

Leepa - Rattner Museum of Art

If you would like to submit a testimonial, please email your comments to Testimonials@SuncoastArtsFest.com