Text by Mary Forsell

No one can promise the weather will be perfect — though you should definitely bring flip-flops, shades, and plenty of sunblock. But there’s one thing that the 45-member, all-volunteer festival committee can guarantee: the quality of the work. “The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is known for its high standards,” says corresponding secretary Carole Moreland. “It’s all original work, which is rare at shows these days. No reproductions are allowed.” And the judges are very picky about who gets in: Out of the 1,400 who apply in media ranging from painting to jewelry and photography, only 193 are chosen, with an additional 32 slots reserved for award winners from the previous year. “The award money is good, and artists are thrilled if they do win (best of show takes $10,000), but the real reason they come is for the foot traffic,” says Carole. “About 375,000 people attend in three days.”

(a) Jim Mullan creates vintage bird sculptures by combining old hunting decoys repainted by hand with castoff croquet balls. (b) Mixed media artist Rachel Cornell marries text, objects, and images in shadowboxes. Photo transfers, fiber, wire, and wood all find their way in. (c) Jinsong Kim’s one-of-a-kind raku vessels reflect a powerful symmetry. A smoking process gives each pot its crackled, subtly blackened look. (d) Art by local high school students is part of the mix. (e) “Sanctuary,” by Vicki Niolet, is an assemblage of found objects. The artist rescues artifacts left behind after Hurricane Katrina. (f) Ronna Katz’s paintings intrigue with quirky characters. (g)Wearable art from L. O’Neill Design includes classic opera coats and jackets in sumptuous fabrics.

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