Maitland Rotary Art Festival
Celebrates 33rdAnniversary – Presents “Art Under the Stars”
MAITLAND, FL – August 1, 2009…The Rotary Club of Maitland announced the return of the reinvented and expanded33rd Annual Maitland Rotary Art Festival, to be heldon October 2 – 4tharound the shores of beautiful Lake Lily in Maitland. Again this year is expanded evening hours – beginning Friday night at 6 p.m., 150 artists for a less crowded show, upscale food and cocktails. Admission is free, with proceeds from the sale of food, parking, and festival posters to benefit local charities.
Festival goers will be able to bid on the original artwork by artist Issac Knight. Issac (Ike) became a Highwaymen and painter almost inadvertently. He initially got his start by being a seller of Alfred Hair and Al Black's paintings. After being mentored by Al Black, his brother in law, he began painting about 1968. In the early days, Ike struggled with self perfection. Sometimes he would be dissatisfied with the finished work. But by sure fate when he would go out on weekends these, "un-perfected paintings", seemed to be the first paintings to sell. Issac is best known for his scenery and landscape paintings. The original artwork, as well as posters featuring the chosen artwork, will be available for sale at the blue Rotary tent at the Festival.
Artists will receive $20,000 in prize money in this juried show. Awards will also be presented to youth artists participating from local schools. Children’s art will be on display inside the MaitlandCivicCenter.
The City of Maitland's Cultural Partners, Performing Arts of Maitland (PAM), The Maitland Historical Society, The Maitland Art Center and the Maitland Public Library each are contributing to this Festival. PAM is providing continuous live musical entertainment, The Historical Society and Art Center have special activities on site and the Library is conducting it's annual book sale.
Over $500,000 has been distributed to local charities from event proceeds, with $25,000 distributed in 2008 alone.
Festival hours: Friday 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sponsors for the 2008 Festival include M & I Bank, Progress Energy, WKMG Local 6, WLOQ Smooth Jazz 103.1, The Orlando Home and Leisure Magazineand Embarq.
Contact:Kelley Lesperance, Publicity Chair, 407-920-7545
Rob Lesperance, Festival Chair, 407-782-9714,
About Rotary
The Rotary Club of Maitland produced its first Art Festival in 1976. Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. About 1.3 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 170 countries. The Rotary Club of Maitland was formed in 1964.