Temple Terrace Arts Council To Host 46th Annual Arts Festival

TEMPLE TERRACE, FL — More than 10,000 arts and crafts lovers are expected to attend the 46th annual Temple Terrace Arts & Crafts Festival Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 9-10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in historic Woodmont Park, 407 Woodmont Ave., Temple Terrace.

In addition to fine arts, handmade crafts, the juried show includes the largest exhibit of elementary and middle school art and photography in the state, as well as an opportunity for the public to participate in an art project titled "See Me!"

A time-honored Temple Terrace tradition, the first Arts & Crafts Festival in 1973 included a few paintings displayed on easels. This year the Temple Terrace Arts Council expects more than 100 entries. New to the festival is a culinary arts category, which will include locally made savory and sweet sauces, candies, baked goods and more.

The festival has included Fresh Views, a juried student art and photography exhibit, for more than 20 years, showcasing nearly 7,000 pieces from area schools since its inception. A photography component titled Fresh Takes was added four years ago, challenging students to use cell phones as an artistic instrument. Teachers choose the subject and select finalists to compete on behalf of the school. Prizes are awarded for first and second place from each school.

In addition, all students who display work are eligible to win an art kit, with one presented each day. Participating schools include American Youth Academy, Corpus Christi Elementary, Florida College Academy, Folsom Elementary, the Homeschool Around Temple Terrace group, Lewis Elementary, Montessori Prep School, Pizzo Elementary, Riverhills Elementary, Woodmont Charter School, Hillel Academy Elementary and Middle School, Universal Academy of Florida Elementary and Middle School and Greco Middle School.

The arts council is also committed to providing forums for public art. Several years ago, the council hosted the Public Pollock Project which involved a 9- by 12-foot canvas, paint, turkey basters, mops and spoons. More than 130 participants embraced their inner artist to create a piece reminiscent of the abstract expressionism of Jackson Pollock.

See Me!, this year's public arts project, asks festival-goers to create a self-portrait using pencil, paint or assembling a face using a collage technique. Finished portraits will be framed and displayed at the Family Recreation Complex.

The Temple Terrace Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, now in its second year, also will give attendees an opportunity to get in touch with their creative side by decorating pillowcases that will be used to package donated toiletries and other small gifts to be delivered to a shelter for victims of human trafficking. Toiletries can be dropped off at any city facility prior to the festival. The students also will distribute information on how to recognize signs of human trafficking.

The art of music and dance will be featured as well with live performances ranging from singer/songwriter Charlie Imes to Fran's Swinging Dancers to a Cantabile Ensemble.

Admission to the Temple Terrace Arts & Crafts Festival is free although attendees are encouraged to donate a toiletry to the Mayor's Youth Leadership Council's Human Trafficking Awareness project.