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Festival Information

28th Annual Art Festival at Thornebrook

Produced by
The Gainesville Fine Arts Association & The Thornebrook Merchants Association

WHEN:
October 12, 13, 14, 2012

WHERE:  The Shops at Thornebrook Village, 2641 NW 47 Avenue, Gainesville, FL

The 28th Annual GFAA Art Festival at Thornebrook begins its weekend with A Friday Night Preview Party for the serious art collector or the casual buyer.  A lot of The Shops at Thornebrook will be open to welcome you too!  Please join us for this fun weekend art festival.

The festival will continue on Saturday and Sunday with 125 fine artists and fine craftsmen throughout the shaded park-like setting of Thornebrook Village.  The show enters its 27th year under the auspices of the Gainesville Fine Arts Association and the Thornebrook Merchants Association.  Attendance of more than 25,000 people is anticipated over the three day free event.
The map located in the center of the festival guide is designed to help orient visitors to the best places to park and provides locations of food vendors, entertainment venues and restroom facilities.  A list of artists and craftsmen are also shown along with corresponding color zones and booth locations throughout the festival grounds.

Local, regional and national artists and fine craftsmen are displaying their finest work in many media including: Paintings – oils, acrylics, watercolors and pastels; Photography –black and white, color, still life, nature studies and digital; Mixed Media – in clay, fused glass, paint, paper and other materials; Sculpture in metals and wood; Fiber Arts – quilts and weaving, baskets and clothing; Clay/Ceramics – traditional, sculptural, stoneware and porcelain; Jewelry – in silver and gold with semi-precious stones, and beaded pieces; Glass – stained, blown and fused; Wood – turned vessels and furniture; Graphics/Drawing – from hand-colored pencil work to digital; and the Other category with interesting pieces which do not fit into the other media.

In addition to the fine artwork on display, during the festival, entertainers will be performing on the grounds in four separate venues. (See the center spread map for specific locations or just keep your ears tuned to locate performances throughout the grounds).  Entertainment Director Bill Hutchinson is presenting a selection of some of the best local and regional musicians to perform jazz, blues, classical and country music among other fare such as jugglers throughout both days of the festival.  Many festival goers will recognize the names of performers such as The Killer B’s, The Dave Sloan Jazz Project, Long Over Duo, Boulware & Stewart, Jana Horton, The Alachua Consort, The Barbergators, the House of Flying Cards magic act, Megan Smith and members of The University of Florida Juggling Club.
The Children’s Area will once again feature the talents and fun of Gainesville Creative Kids and John Brothers will bring his instruments to introduce children to a hands-on musical experience.

While drinks and snacks will be provided by various non-profit organizations throughout festival grounds, several food vendors will be providing various festival fare – such as Kettle Korn, Italian Ices, roasted cinnamon nuts, and Latin Food.  There will be tables and chairs provided for your dining comfort.
Three restaurants located in Thornebrook Village will be providing special foods for the festival – offering a step-up from usual festival fare.  Bageland will have a selection of bagels and breakfast platters, gourmet sandwich plates, sweets and drinks, including gourmet coffees.  On festival grounds they will be providing hamburgers, hot dogs, spaghetti and other good choices.  ChopStix will feature Pan-Asian fare on the deck outside the restaurant.  Mario’s bistro will provide tapas, salads and sandwiches – take a break with a quality glass of wine.  Rounding out the choices for food and drink, Emerald’s Lounge will provide libations of all kinds; TCBY has frozen treats and Thornebrook Chocolates will have the best hand-made candy around.

This year again we have non-profit organizations joining us providing information on their groups and services: 4-H, Friends of Alachua County Elementary Arts Program, the Supervisor of Elections and Choices Health Services.

For last minute changes and the most up-to-date information about this year’s Art Festival at Thornebrook, please check out our website – www.thornebrookart.org.

Sponsors: TV20 and the Gainesville CW, The Gainesville Sun, WKTK and WSKY