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.
This tabloid highlights the events and special activities offered this weekend. We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or need further information.
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 and Bloomin’ Bike Ride on Saturday, Children’s Tent with complimentary balloons and self-contained art activities both days, food trucks and free entertainment culminating in a concert by Justin Grimes on Saturday night.
All activities will be spaced according to CDC guidelines with hand-wash/sanitizing and mask stations located throughout the event.
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 Michell Githens State Farm.
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 . .
Richard D. Colvin, Bloomin’ Arts Judge
Richard D. Colvin
Richard D. Colvin is an artist, art teacher, museum professional, and musician. Born in Olathe, Kansas (1957), Colvin’s family relocated to Florida in the mid-1960s. Colvin received an art education courtesy of a succession of mentors: Barbara Bassett at the Art Workshop in Winter Park, Thomas F. Peterson at Rollins College, and through observing Central Florida’s legendary painter/printmakers, including Maury Hurt, Bill Orr, Jerry Raidiger, and many others. In craftsmanship and spirit, Colvin’s greatest mentor is his father, Ronald P. Colvin.
During a 40+ year museum career, he has studied works by a wide array of master artists. He continues in a variety of styles and mannerisms (in both painting and printmaking) and prefers to let the idea dictate the style.
His professional resume includes a long list of art instruction, curation, and administration. Richard has also judged more than two dozen art events throughout Florida.
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, 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 5 at 8 a.m. at Front Page Brewing. Registration opens at 7 a.m.
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. & Parker
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. Tom Mizell
2 p.m. Turner Family Band
3 p.m. Samira Belly Dancers
Sunday, March 5th
Noon Dennis Croom
2 p.m. FSC Chamber Jazz Ensemble
Bloomin Saturday Night Concert 7:00 – 10:00PM
Outside at Front Page Brewing Co. Featuring Justin Grimes
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
• Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
• Coach Eddie’s Backyard BBQ
• Collin’s Concessions
• Cray’s Kettle Korn
• Kona Ice
• 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., Michell Githens State Farm and the Polk County History Center.
HOSTED BY BARTOW ART GUILD, GREATER BARTOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CITY OF BARTOW, MAIN STREET BARTOW