The 19^th annual Celebrate the Arts, 2013, one of the nation’s premium art festivals, returns  to Gulf Breeze (FL) during the weekend of March 9-10, 2013.  The event is conducted by Gulf Breeze Arts, Inc. and the City of Gulf Breeze.  The family oriented two-day event will be held in the Gulf Breeze High School parking lot which lies directly on Gulf Breeze Parkway (Highway 98).  Event hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 9^th, and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday March 10^th.

Selection Criteria & Lineup for Event

Over 150 artists have been selected for the 2013 festival.  Applications for this event come from artists throughout the United States and are juried in the following categories:  Oils & Acrylics, Watercolor, Graphics, Sculpture, Fiber and Leather, Glass, Mixed Media, Photography, Ceramics, Jewelry, Wood and Other.

Artists were selected by the jury from across the US, with one from Europe.  Artists for the 2013 feswtival are coming from AL, AR, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT,  NC, NJ, NM, NY, OK, OR, PA, TN,OH, OK, SC, TX, VA, WI….and BELGIUM.

Invited participants include artists in the following categories: 16 in ceramics & pottery; 21 oils & acrylics; 6 glass; 13 sculpture; 3 watercolor; 11 wood;  5  fiber & leather; 27 jewelry; 20 mixed-media; 2  graphics; 15 photography, and 14 Other.

A blind jury panel, comprised of working artists or art professionals, review the work of each applicant.  The identities of artists are not disclosed to the jurors and all entries are juried based on artistic excellence, originality, execution of design, technique and craftsmanship, creative use of materials and aesthetic qualities.  Each artist’s images are viewed simultaneously and must accurately represent the work to be exhibited and sold. Artists may apply for the Festival on-line at www.zapplication.org  and/or by downloading  an application form at www.GulfBreezeArts.org.

JUDGING AND ARTIST AWARDS

Judging will begin at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 9th for cash awards totaling $7,000.   Awards for 2013 include:  Best of Show, $1,000; Four (4) Awards of Excellence, $500 each; Eight (8) Awards of Distinction, $300 each; and Eight (8) Awards of Honor, $200 each. 

 DURING THE SHOW:

• A Gulf Breeze Arts, Inc. Members Show/Sale will be held in the High School band room each day of the festival.
• Food vendors will be present with a wide variety of food and drinks
• Volunteer booth sitters are available during festival hours.
• Ample parking adjacent to the festival is available, including RV/camper parking
• Santa Rosa County School children will display their creations in the High School Arts building
• Musicians will provide music during the 2-day event. 

 THE OFFICIAL 2013 FESTIVAL DESIGN

Dr. Stephen Zieman submitted the winning entry for the 2013 poster contest.  Steve’s artwork will be used in advertising for the festival,  on festival T-shirts  ($15), and on festival posters ($15).   A .jpg file of the design is available for article publication only upon request through Sherri Chambers, Director.

Contact person and Director of the 2013 Gulf Breeze Celebrates the Arts Festival is Sherri Chambers, phone: (850) 572-4292, email address: schambers@gulfbreezearts.org .

Gulf Breeze Arts, Inc. is a non-profit organization. Officers for 2013 are:  President; Rebecca Herzog; Co- Vice Presidents, Ralph Thomas and Susan Mayer; Co-Treasurers, Miriam Wood and Dianne Powell; Secretary, Heather Delacruz-Stevens.