ArtFest Fort Myers - Fine Art Festival

artfestArtFest Fort Myers, Southwest Florida's premier fine art festival, takes place in beautiful downtown Fort Myers on the first weekend in February. Every year, Fort Myers' waterfront and green spaces are transformed into a beautiful, stress free, open air art gallery overflowing with exceptional artwork, great entertainment and fun children's art activities.

Over 200 artists gather from across the country and around the world, to dazzle, inspire, delight and entertain you. Majestic palms, continuous background music and savory food make the perfect backdrop for this fine art festival. Convenient and well-marked patron parking is abundant in adjacent city streets, parking lots and multi-story garages. It's easy to find the art you love.

thumb_ArtFestBe sure to arrive early to view some of the best art to be seen in Southwest Florida each season. Take time to visit with the artists, who are always on hand to discuss their work. Find out what inspires them and learn about their techniques. Unique sculpture, original oils, vibrant watercolor, dazzling jewelry, decorative ceramics glittering glass, imaginative mixed media, fabulous metal, vivid photography, inspiring metal, wonderful wood and remarkable fiber created by 200 talented artists provide something for everyone's collection and budget.

Exciting components of ArtFest Fort Myers include:

  • Art Under 20, the largest Lee County high school art competition and exhibition, provides talented student artists the unique opportunity to exhibit their work to 60,000 ArtFest Fort Myers patrons. $6,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the best student artists.
  • Kids@Art, a collaborative effort of ArtFest Fort Myers and The Alliance For The Arts, helps eager "weekend artists" of all ages to tap into their best creative selves. We provide the supplies and supervision to all who wish to make an artistic treasure to take home.
  • the Young Art Collectors Gallery is the perfect place for children ages 6 to 12 to purchase artwork for only $5. Filled with wonderful items donated by festival artists, our "kids only" shopping zone fosters the development of future art patrons with an emphasis on fun.
  • Visit the Youth Stage to enjoy a variety of free performances throughout the weekend. Among others, Florida Rep Theatre, Southwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, and Celtic Arts dancers will be showcasing their talent.
  • Have you been wondering if your youngster has a calling to be a violin virtuoso or a trumpet player in the marching band? The Southwest Florida Symphony will be on hand with their Petting Zoo, and getting bit by the music bug is your only worry. A variety of musical instruments will be available for all to play, with expert instruction on hand, courtesy of the Youth Symphony members.

As a non-profit, ArtFest Fort Myers, Inc. supports the visual arts and literacy in Lee County through a variety of special exhibits and programs:

  • The Art Supply Grant Program invites Lee County public elementary school art teachers to apply for funds that can be tailored to each classroom;s specific needs.
  • The News-Press "Newspaper in Education Program" is supported through ArtFest Fort Myers Commemorative Poster sales. In 2009, over 246,000 local newspapers were delivered to Lee County classrooms as a direct result of festival poster sales.
  • The Visiting Artist Program places festival artists in middle school art classrooms for a day, either before or after ArtFest Fort Myers, where they share their talents and life experiences with out students.

Some masterpieces take a lifetime to acquire. find yours in a weekend at ArtFest Fort Myers, the first weekend every February - 10am-5pm - Edwards Drive, along the riverfront, downtown Fort Myers. Admission to ArtFest Fort Myers is FREE due to the generous support of its sponsors. For more information visit ArtFestFortMyers.com.