Community Event
Bloomin’ Arts Festival
Welcome to the 52nd Annual Bloomin’ Arts Festival
On behalf of the Bloomin’ Arts Committee, sponsors and the Bartow Community, we welcome you to this year’s festival. We are proud to host more than 100 of the best artists from around the United States.
The Bloomin’ Arts Festival is hosted by the Bartow Art Guild, Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, City of Bartow, and Mainstreet Bartow, Inc. on March 4th and 5th, 2023. After being one of the major sponsors for more than 20 years, the Frost Law Firm, P.A. is the PRESENTER for the ninth year in a row.
Approximately $15,000 will be offered in prizes and purchase awards, with Best of Show being $2,250. There are 12 other prizes ranging from $150 to $1,500 each, and $1,100 in prizes for student artists including $300 for High School Best of Show.
In addition to the exhibits and sales by artists and fine craft persons, the show will feature a Classic Car Show, Quilt Show, and Bloomin’ Bike Ride on Saturday, Children’s Tent with complimentary balloons and self-contained art activities both days, food trucks and free entertainment.
The Bartow Bloomin’ Arts Festival is presented by Frost Law Firm, P.A. Additional sponsors are D-R Media Group; Benefactors are Bartow Ford, Citizens Bank and Trust, Mosaic and SouthState Bank; Patrons are Clear Springs and the Polk County History Center.
Sincerely,
Michell Githens, Co-Chair Lara Fredericksen, Co-Chair
Date: March 4th & 5th, 2023
Where: Downtown Bartow
Time: Saturday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Admission Price: Free Community Event
Bloomin’ Arts Festival Artist
About the artist . .
2023 Bloomin’ Arts Show Judge is Allen Harrison
Allen Harrison earned his BFA in Graphic Design from The University of Akron and his MFA in Graphic Design from Maryland Institute College of Art. With over 12 years of professional teaching experience, Allen joined Ringling College in 2008. His work has been the recipient of numerous ADDY, Print, Core 77, and Graphis Awards. His focus has been creating interactive experiences for brands such as: National Geographic, Oracle, Scion, STX Lacrosse, Sherwin Williams and many more. Allen also wrote, designed and produced Friction Magazine, a publication recognized for design and content by Print Magazine, the ADDY® Awards, Utne Reader, The Nation, Mother Jones, PBS, Yahoo.com’s “Daily Pick,” Clamor, Punk Planet, and various independent ’zines
The Frost Law Firm, P.A. Bloomin’ Arts Festival is a juried Fine Arts festival and is Bartow’s premier event of the year. It is held on the first full weekend each March. Originally called the Spring Art Festival, it has evolved into one of the top festivals in Central Florida and features artists from all across the country.
The festival is a collaboration of the Bartow Art Guild, City of Bartow, Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, and Main Street Bartow. Event Co-Chairs, Michell Githens and Lara Fredericksen, coordinate an all volunteer staff and workers consisting of members from all areas of the community. These are dedicated, hard working volunteers and truly the backbone of the event.
The festival takes place along several blocks of beautiful, historic downtown Bartow and local businesses and restaurants are open to welcome festival goers.
FOLLOW THE BARTOW ART GUILD ON FACEBOOK FOR INFO AND PHOTOS!
General Festival
Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bartow Art Guild Plein Art Spirit of the Show Quick Draw
Saturday, March 4
Registration & Preview 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Art Guild Tent on 100 block of E Main St. Painting/Drawing 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. located throughout Festival grounds. Judging 12 p.m. with Awards presented at 1:00 p.m. at Art Guild tent. Sponsored by Bartow Art Guild
Bloomin’ Bike Ride
65- and 35-mile road tours & 17 mile family fun ride to choose from
Saturday, March 4 at 8 a.m. at Front Page Brewing. Registration opens at 7 a.m.
Quilt Show
Saturday, March 4 at 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Polk County History Center, 1926 Classroom.
Caricature, Henna and Portrait Artists
Saturday March 4 and Sunday March 5 — ongoing, spaced throughout the show. *Fee for service
Bartow Garden Club Caladium Sale and Educational Exhibit
Saturday, March 4
Outside Main Street Bartow office located on corner of Central Ave. and Summerlin
Student Art Show
100 Block of East Davidson on the north side of the Polk County History Center. Sponsored by SouthState Bank
Children’s Tent
Saturday, March 4, noon to 3 p.m. and Sunday, March 5 noon to 3 p.m.
Includes two art activities and balloons designed by Deco-Twist Balloon Art— all free! 100 Block of East Davidson on the north side of the Polk County History Center. Sponsored by Mosaic
Bloomin’ Car Show
Saturday, March 4th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Broadway Avenue
Sponsored by Kelley Buick GMC
Sponsored by Bartow Ford
At the Entertainment Stage on East Davidson
Saturday, March 4th
11 a.m. Union Academy Bluegrass Band
1 p.m. Turner Family Band
2 p.m. Tom Mizell
3 p.m. Samira Belly Dancers
Sunday, March 5th
Noon Florida Southern College Chamber Jazz Ensemble
1 p.m. Deborah Brister
2 p.m. St. James AME Men’s Choir
Plant Sale by East-West Nursery
Saturday, March 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Avenue South, West side in front of Rafa Natural.
Food Trucks
Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wilson Ave. between Davidson and Summerlin
Sponsored by Citizens Bank and Trust
Alston’s Chicken
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
Coach Eddie’s Backyard BBQ
CoCoMo’s
Cray Kettle Korn
The Crepe Company
D’Lites Ice Cream
Glazed Up Mini Donuts
Gran Aerpa
Kona Ice
Laughing Crab Csatering
Nana’s Old Fashioned Lemonade
Paradise Hot Dogs & Grill
Tallulah’s Table By The Sea
Awards Ceremonies
Student Awards Ceremony
Saturday, March 4 at 3:30 p.m.
South steps of Polk County
History Center
Adults Awards Ceremony
Sunday, March 5 at 3 p.m.
Entertainment Stage
100 block of E. Davidson
The festival events include:
Children’s Art Tent sponsored by Mosaic
Saturday Car Show sponsored by Kelley Buick GMC
Student Art Exhibit sponsored by SouthState Bank
Entertainment sponsored by Bartow Ford
Food Trucks sponsored by Citizens Bank & Trust
Media Sponsors: DR Media & Investments, LLC
Patrons: Clear Springs Land Co. and the Polk County History Center.
HOSTED BY BARTOW ART GUILD, GREATER BARTOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CITY OF BARTOW, MAIN STREET BARTOW