The Lake Wales Arts Council invites you to Participate in the 53rd Annual Lake Wales Arts Festival

A TRADITION OF QUALITY, DIVERSITY & EXCELLENCE!

Presented by Citizens Bank and Trust in Partnership with Blossom Charitable Foundation, Inc.

February 23-25, 2024

The Festival

The Lake Wales Arts Festival has a 53-year-old tradition of celebrating and exhibiting quality works of art by fine artists and artisans with up to 100 artists competing for more than $22,000 in awards! Hosted by the Lake Wales Arts Council, the diversity of the critically acclaimed two-day Festival attracts thousands of art lovers each year who purchase original, one-of-a-kind works of art. This year’s event is generously sponsored by Citizens Bank Trust in partnership with Blossom Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Awards Selection

Each year awards selection is made by a different judge and without regard to category.

  • Best of Show – $4,000

  • Judge’s Choice Exceptional Work (1) – $2,500

  • Judge’s Choice Exceptional Work (1) – $2,500

  • Award of Excellence (4 @$1000) – $4,000

  • Award of Distinction (5 @ $500) – $2,500

  • Award of Merit (5 @ $300) – $1,500

  • "Gift of Art" Purchase Awards – $5,000

Total Awards – $22,000

Application Instructions

Artists Selection

An anonymous panel of experienced jurors selects the artists for the Lake Wales Arts Festival. Jurying is based solely on the images submitted and acceptance goes to the highest scoring artists. A waiting list will be kept. The jury’s decisions are final.

Award Judges

We will determine who our panel of judges will be for the 2024 show and post them here.

2023 Award Winners

  • Best of Show: Lynn Hardesty, Jewelry, Clearwater, FL

  • Judge’s Choice Exceptional Work: Jeff Ripple, Painting, Tallahassee, FL

  • Judge’s Choice Exceptional Work: Glenn Woods and Keith Herbrand, Clay, Palm Harbor, FL

Awards of Excellence

  • Beth Garcia, Clay, Lakeland, FL

  • Donna Harris, Fiber, Casselberry, FL

  • Nathan Miller, Painting, Covington, GA

  • Adam Pourciau, Photography, Deltona, FL

Awards of Distinction

  • Juan Carlos and Nuris Cahue, Jewelry, Ocala, FL

  • Timothy Hall, Photography, Tampa, FL

  • David Hunter, Print Making, Winter Park, FL

  • Daphne Manning, Painting, Winter Haven, FL

  • Don Tran, Fiber, St Louis, MO

Awards of Merit

  • Janet Herman, Fiber, Polk City, FL

  • Aron Kapembeza, Sculpture, Princeton, TX

  • Ray McLendon, Painting, Ft. Pierce, FL

  • Tim Peters, Clay, Winter Haven, FL

  • Zhiyong Ye, Painting, Leesburg, FL

Location

 

Directions

From Orlando: Take I-4 West to US-27 South. US-27 South is approximately 25 miles from W. Central Avenue (Woody’s, McDonald’s on the southeast corner). Turn left onto W. Central Avenue continuing for approximately 1 mile ending at Lakeshore Blvd. and the shores of Lake Wailes.

From Tampa: Take I-4 East to US-27 South. US-27 South is approximately 25 miles from W. Central Avenue (Woody’s, McDonald’s on the southeast corner). Turn left onto W. Central Avenue continuing for approximately 1 mile ending at Lakeshore Blvd. and the shores of Lake Wailes.

From Vero Beach: Take SR-60 West to US-27 North. Turn right (north) onto US-27 then immediately turn right (east) onto W. Central Avenue (Woody’s, McDonalds on the southeast corner) continuing for approximately 1 mile ending at Lakeshore Blvd. and the shores of Lake Wailes.

From Sebring: Take SR-27 North to W. Central Avenue. Turn right (east) onto W. Central Avenue (Woody’s, McDonalds on the southeast corner) continuing for approximately 1 mile ending at Lakeshore Blvd. and the shores of Lake Wailes.