50th Annual Space Coast Art Festival
Thanksgiving Weekend
November 30 and December 1, 2013
A lot can happen in 50 years. From humble beginnings as a sidewalk art show, the Space Coast Art Festival has evolved and matured into one of Florida’s premier juried art festival featuring 250 artists displaying work in 10 categories of art. In order to be accepted for the show, artists must submit representative samples of their work which is then juried by a panel of art professionals and museum directors. Only those artists judged to be the best are allowed to exhibit at the festival and compete for over $50,000 in cash prize awards.
“It just keeps growing and growing” says Registrar Deanne Hanson. “We had approximately 100 new artists apply this year. It really made it tough for the jury to decide which artists were going to get invited to the show. I did not envy their job.”
The festival weekend kicks off with the Turkey Trot, a 5 k road race and ¼ mile youth run held Thanksgiving morning, November 28th. In addition to a sanctioned 5 k road race, the race also features costumed runners and “turkey teams” – teams of four runners that compete while carrying a 12 pound frozen turkey. “We had over 1,000 runners last year” said organizer and board member Marlene White. “We expect even more this year.”
Prizes are awarded for the top 10 male finishers, the top 10 female finishers, the top masters male and female runners and the top Turkey 10 lb. Team. Special prizes are also awarded for best costume. “Encouraging runners to run in costume and having the Turkey Teams sets us apart from other 5K races” White says. “It adds a fun element both for the runners and the spectators.” The Turkey Trot commences at 7:30 am from the Baliwick Mall in Cocoa Beach and is open to runners and walkers of all ages and ability.
The juried artists will display and sell their work in downtown Cocoa Beach on Saturday, November 30th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and again on Sunday December 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the award winners announced on Sunday. Categories of art for the main show include oils and acrylics; watercolors; drawings, graphics, collages and printmaking; clay; sculpture; photography; glass; jewelry and leather, fiber, paper and wood, and mixed media. With Thanksgiving coming late this year, the Space Coast Art Festival provides a great opportunity to get that perfect, unique Christmas gift.
Additionally on Saturday there will be a student show open to all Brevard County students in grades K through 12. Pre-registration is required. “We had a great student art show last year” said organizer Cheryl Puleo. “The level of art was just amazing! We also had a free kids arts and crafts area so every kid regardless of whether or not they were in the show, could be an artist for a day.”
The art festival features a “Young at Art” children’s craft and entertainment area with free hands-on crafts, and face painting. Food and drink vendors will be present throughout the show and in the food court located by the festival stage. Additionally there will be live music performing on two stages throughout the festival.
Free shuttle bus service is available commencing at the Cape Royal Building parking lot located at 1980 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28
TURKEY TROT
• 6:30 a.m. Registration
• 7:30 a.m. 5K Road Race
• 8:30 a.m. Free Lil’ Gobbler Quarter Mile and Half Mile Youth Run
• 8:45 a.m. Awards Ceremony
Costs: Individual $25.00
Family/Friends of Four Turkey Team $50.00
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Judges Reception – pre-purchased ticket required
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Art Show – 250 artists exhibitions in Downtown Cocoa Beach
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Student art show open to all Brevard County children grades K – 12
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm “Young at Art” hands on crafts, face painting and children’s activities
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Live entertainment on 2 festival stages throughout the art festival
SUNDAY , DECEMBER 1
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Art Show Continues in Downtown Cocoa Beach
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. “Young at Art “ hands on crafts, clowns, face painting and children’s activities (free)
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Live entertainment on 2 festival stages throughout the art festival
For further inquires regarding the art festival you may call the art festival office at 321-784-3322, visit our website at www.spacecoastartfestival.com or email us at info@spacecoastartfestival.com.
The Space Coast Art Festival is sponsored in part by the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners through the Brevard Cultural Alliance, Inc.
