Mainsail Art Festival: What To Know Before You Go

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – For the 41st Year, the Mainsail Art Festival will bring an eclectic mix of fine arts to the St. Petersburg waterfront.

Founded in 1976 by the city’s Bicentennial Committee, the free two-day event combines visual and performing arts exhibits. Mainsail attracts more than 260 exhibiting artists from across the country, with their display art on sale or by commission. The works feature ceramics, fibers, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, oil/acrylic, photograph, sculpture, watercolor, and wood.

For area residents interested in attending the 2016 Mainsail Art Festival, here’s what you need to know before you go:

Dates and Times

Mainsail Art Festival takes place Saturday, April 16 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location, Parking and Shuttle Service

Mainsail takes place at Vinoy Park, 701 Bay Shore Drive NE in St. Petersburg. Paid parking is available at the Mid Core Garage, 117 Second St. N., the South Core Garage, 101 First Ave. S. and the Pelican Parking Lot on Second Avenue Northeast.

Free shuttles will run from First Street and Central Avenue from the Beach Drive lots to Vinoy Park. The Schedule is Saturday from 8: 30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Click here for a map of the shuttle service.

Coolers are prohibited from the event but food and drinks will be available for purchase. Organizers advise against brining pets to the festival.

Awards

There will be $60,000 in cash prizes awarded to the artists in this year’s event, including a $10,000 Best of Show award. The categories are:

• Best of Mainsail Gold Award
• Mainsail Silver Award
• Mainsail Bronze Award
• Awards of Excellence
• Awards of Distinction
• Awards of Merit
• Purchase Awards

Young at ARt Student Show

The Young at ARt Student Exhibition will feature the best artwork from students throughout Pinellas County. Student artwork is juried from hundreds of pieces submitted by teachers from public and private schools. Ribbons for 12 Awards of Excellence and 12 Honorable Mentions will be announced during the Mainsail Festival on the main stage Saturday at 11 a.m. Certificates of Merit will be presented to all student participants. The Young Masters Award will also be given to five 12th grade students in the competition.

Performing Arts

The following live acts will perform on the festival main stage, located at the south end of Vinoy Park near the Truth Sculpture:

Saturday, April 16

• Noon to 1:15 p.m. – Crossover Remix: Gospel, Reggae, Hip-Hop and Contemporary
• 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. – Bus Stop Band: Rock ‘N’ Roll
• 3 to 4:15 p.m. – Lounge Cat: Swing
• 4:30 to 6 p.m. – Johnny G. Lyon Band: Classic Rock ‘N’ Roll

Sunday, April 17

• 1 to 2 p.m. – Vodkanauts: Rat Pack era, Rhythm and Blues
• 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. – Alan Darcy Group and the All Stars: Jazz
• 3:45 to 5 p.m. – Charlie Morris Band: Blues

Strolling entertainers, including a minstrel, a mime, a magician and more will also perform during the festival.

Children’s Activities

Junior League of St. Petersburg volunteers will host the Kids Create Tent during the festival. Free activities include fish prints, jumping frogs, magical star wands, spring necklaces and seeds-in-a-cup.

For more information, visit www.mainsailart.org.

Image courtesy of City of St. Petersburg

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