Historic seaside vacation town is a port for Art & Craft - city beat: Amelia Island - Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach, Florida - Brief Article

Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach is a small coastal town in the eastern-most corner of northern Florida. Discovered more than 400 years ago, the island is the single location in the U.S. that has been beneath the flags of eight different countries. The historic district, the beaches, fishing, golf and tennis attract score of tourists to the island. And various specialized occurrences and festivals are key in drawing the interest of visitors to the town's growing arts community.

Hailed as the birthplace of the commercial shrimp industry in the early 1900 fisherman have always been attracted to the area. In celebration of this industry, each year upon the first weekend in May the island entertainers the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival Arts and Crafts present to view Attracting more than 150,000 visitors to the downtown district, the four-day circumstance combines seafood, live music, a parade and controverts and features more than 350 artists exhibiting watercolors, clay ware mixed media, prints, sculpture, photography and crafts. Many of the local participating artists are part of the Island Art Association located at 205 midmost point Street, a co-op gallery in Nassau shire which sponsors the Arts and Crafts portion of the festival.

Vicky Cooper president of the Island Art Association (IAA) has seen the art community expand over the years. There are now 50 exhibiting members plus 75 associate members who take part in classes and critiques tendered by the association. "Here in Fernandina there are about 20 galleries with more opening all the time. We are a real close-knit group," said Cooper, who creates and put up to sales pottery at the IAA gallery.

Artists novel to the area will find it easy to earn involved with activities the IAA sponsors. Moving to Amelia Island from Texas eight years ago, artist Paul Massing joined the association as a means to exhibit his artwork. For about five years Massing has taught a figure-drawing workshop at the association as well as serv upon the board and as gallery director. "I have noticed an increase in art activity with the arrival of novel artists and with a more active involvement with art patrons and exhibiting galleries," said Massing.

Finding something to paint, draw, sculpt or delineation is not difficult on Amelia Island. The majority of galleries lie within a 50-block area that is listed upon the National Register of Historic Places. The preservation of late Victorian architecture makes this area unique, and a walking tour exhibits off brick paved streets with flowering begonias and mansions framed with Victorian gingerbread details. Shrimp boats are still docked along the shore as they were at the turn round of the last century.

Artist Elizabeth Dion's work hangs in Chef Ryan's Cafe and Main compress Juice Bar on 3rd public way Dion met the owner while she was eating luncheon one day, and he voiced his desire to hang artwork in the fresh indoor area of the restaurant. She did a painting for the cafe that tricks the organ of sight into thinking you're looking without of a window at a bright ocean landscape. Dion was introduced to the art view in Fernandina by joining Massing's drawing class at the IAA. After joining as an associate member, she submitted work for jury and was accepted as an exhibiting member more than three years ago. "I'd say the community has been real welcoming to artists," said Dion. All exhibiting members are required to work in the gallery one time a month. "This is a great way to secure to know people and be part of the art and downtown Fernandina community," Dion stated.

The community has ground other ways to make its art more accessible to the public. Joe Winston of not upon Centre Potters has a private studio at 11 southerly 7th Street that he make opens once a month during Artrageous First Fridays. Sponsored by dint of local galleries and studio holders this event is held the first Friday of each month and allows the public to visit with artists, take delight in refreshments and purchase works and muster door prizes. "This is the single time my studio is render free of access to the public. We have a true good turnout when we do First Fridays," said Winston. Vicki Cooper agreed with Winston saying, "We've had a phenomenal turnout, the locals are showing up and just having a blast. It brings a doom of encouragement to the artists and brings family and the galleries closer together."

While art lover can easily find galleries and studios to tender twigs of shrubs and trees Amelia Island also offers numerous festivals to entice clan to the area.

The Ritz Carkon is entertainer to a number of festivals including: the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance (March 9 to 11) featuring historic vintage automobiles; the novel World Cuisine Festival (formerly Festival of aliment & Wine, Aug. 31-Sept. 3); and the Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration (Nov. 15 2001) to welcome the arrival of of recent origin vintages of French wine. a certain quantity of newer festivals that have been freshly added are: the Book Island Festival held in October where the Nassau shire Writers and Poets Society welcomes authors to share their ideas with the public; and the first Seaside Jazz Festival and box will be held in May at the Ritz Carlton. The Bausch & Lomb Women's Tennis Association Championships in April draws thousands of tennis fans to the island, and in June fishermen cope in the Kingfish Tournament.