About Us

How we started...

On December 10th, 2005, the 1st Annual Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green was held.  The event was a huge success, and interest and help to support this event to progress poured in!  Twenty three fine artists from all over the US were juried into our show.  To highlight community artists, thirty of “Pasco’s Finest” artists were selected to represent the variety of fine artists and fine craftsmen locally.  Emerging Artists, 10th grade through 12th grade students, were given an opportunity to display their finest work as well! 

Our 2007 event was our largest to date.  Sixty juried artists attended, as well as local 10th-12th grade emerging artists.  Wonderful musical entertainment was provided, and the public responded enthusiastically. 

Over the course of only three years, the show has become a huge success. In 2008, we will be moving to a seventeen acre parcel located at the corner of SR 54 and Starkey Blvd, (hence our name change), able to accommodate this regional arts show that will incorporate Taste of Pasco and WMNF with live entertainment into the show.  We expect our 2008 event to be our largest ever!

Our Corporation - Fine Arts of the Suncoast

Fine Arts of the Suncoast, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for –profit corporation whose mission is to develop a community culture that embraces the arts.   The corporation is organized exclusively for charitable and promotional purposes, including, without limitation to accomplish the following purposes:

• Provide a quality fine arts show within the Pasco County.

• Promote all arts for children in Pasco County.

• Increase the awareness of the arts in Pasco County.

Our Beneficiary - Art for Kids in Pasco County

Raising funds for the benefit of Art For Kids in Pasco County is a primary goal that this event works towards.  Each year, funds raised will go toward helping the advancement of services for visual and performing art needs of kids in Pasco County schools, both public and private.

Every year at the event, a special container will be in clear sight where visitors are welcome to drop off new art supplies.  These art supplies are provided to Pasco County schools, both public and private.

In 2005, fine artist Christopher Still along with our organization made a presentation of ten of his murals depicting Florida history.  These framed prints along with interactive audio CD’s and teacher lessons were placed in a “traveling tub” that can be used by all Pasco County Schools both public and  private, K-12.  The original murals currently hang in the House of Representatives located in Tallahassee, Florida.  Pasco County school board members, art teachers, students and the public were invited to Longleaf Elementary School for this presentation. 

The 2007 show raised enough funds for five "Art to Go' teaching trunks full of visual and performing arts resources.  These trunks can be used by all Pasco County schools and trunk themes are:

• Modern Art: including books, videos, posters, sculptures and mobiles.

• Printmaking: including books, videos, lesson plans, Gyotaku fish print models, brayers and ink trays.

• Theater: Viola Spolin - Theater Game File, on stage theater games, activities for kids, props (all from Spolin Collection).

• Egypt: Artifacts

• Native American Art

Testimonials

"Proceeds from the show will be used to enhance arts education in our schools.  This will be a wonderful way for many different community members to come together for a common cause that will benefit us all.  I am certain this show will attract tourists to our community, eventually becoming an anticipated annual event."

~ Mike Fasano

State Senator

District 11

"A firm commitment to visual and performing arts is the hallmark of a great community.  One of the best ways to build that commitment is through fine art shows.  These events make the arts accessible to a broad audience, while also fostering a sense of place and community identity.  The Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green complements the Gasparilla, Mainsail, and Dunedin Art Harvest shows, and promises to match those shows in both quality of the art and the benefit to the surrounding area."

~ Frank Starkey

"An arts festival such as this one benefits the local community financially by attracting a wide variety of visitors who not only spend money on arts purchases and associated things like food, but also get acquainted with the neighborhood and might want to shop and move there."

~ Melinda Chavez

Executive Director

Tampa Bay Business Committee for the Arts

"Great venue for a fine art show - it has a hometown feel.  In my various roles in the arts community, I've had more people offer positive comment about that show - artists and visitors alike."

~ Lynn Whitelaw

Director

Leepa - Rattner Museum of Art

If you would like to submit a testimonial, please email your comments to Testimonials@SuncoastArtsFest.com