Cape Coral Art League annual show this weekend
An annual art show set for this weekend will showcase the work of dozens of local artists.
Hosted by the Cape Coral Art League, the 5th Annual Art Fair will be held Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 516 Cultural Park Blvd. The event will feature 42 artists and a range of media.
“We wanted to give our artists an opportunity to show and sell their work,” Monica Rahman, event chairperson for 2015, said of why the league organizes the fair. “Also, we wanted everybody to know we’re one of the best kept secrets in Cape Coral – they’re all local artists, that’s what sets us apart.”
The majority of the booths will be set up inside of the facility, with a couple outside, as well.
“We’ve added four or five booth since last year,” she said.
While last year’s attendance was unknown, Rahman noted that the fair grows every year.
“We’ve had a greater attendance each year we’ve had it,” she said.
While it is not a juried show, the event offers a wide variety of art forms and media.
“We have a lot of paintings,” Rahman said. “A lot of the artists are considered to be fine artists.”
There are oil, watercolor, acrylic and mixed media, with some turned into greeting cards.
“They work I different media,” she said.
The show will also feature pottery, ceramics and glass painting.
“We have several jewelry artists, but each one has their own niche,” Rahman said.
Organizers noted that the artists and vendors are charged low reasonable rates to rent the booths and they are not charged commissions, so it enables the exhibitors to offer special reasonable pricing.
“They have the ability to sell their work at attractive prices,” she said.
During the event, several of the artists will offer art demonstrations at their booths.
“People will have the opportunity to participate in a raffle,” Rahman said.
Raffle tickets can be purchased for $1 each or six for $5.
“We have some nice prizes that were donated by local businesses,” she said.
Some of the raffle items include tickets to the Cultural Park Theatre and gift baskets, as well as gift certificates to local restaurants and even businesses, like one for Publix valued at $75.
The league will also hosting a bake sale at the show.
“That’s really popular,” Rahman said.
The items are all home-baked goods, with coffee, lemonade and water also for sale.
“Money that we raise through the bake sale, raffle and other fundraisers goes toward our operating expenses and maintaining our building,” she said.
There is no admission to attend the fair, and parking is free.
“The parking is plentiful and close,” Rahman said. “They don’t have to walk blocks.”
Organizers encouraged the public to stop by.
“Come enjoy looking at a wide variety of arts and crafts, show support for local artists and find out more about us and about our classes and events,” she said.
The Cape Coral Art League is a non-profit organization. It relies on member dues, donations and proceeds from classes and workshops to operate. The league offers monthly art shows in its gallery.
For more information, call (239) 772-5657 or visit: www.capecoralartleague.org.