Art in the Park Call to Artists

For nearly four decades, the Hernando County Fine Arts Council has honored the Hernando community with a grand presentation and mass exhibit of artistic masterpieces in every possible medium—and in a festive, interactive, and enjoyable open-air environment. Art in the Park returns on March 9-10 at Tom Varn Park, 301 Darby Lane, in Brooksville.

“You’re invited to exhibit at the 39th Annual Art in the Park in Brooksville! Join us underneath the oak trees for Hernando County’s premier art event,” read an event notice.

This year’s Art in the Park features more than 100 fine arts exhibitors and $6,500 in cash prizes, including a $1,250 prize for Best in Show honors. At this time, the arts council invites fine arts and crafts exhibitors of all media to apply for inclusion. The deadline to apply is January 10.

As expressed by the Arts Council, Art in the Park is an annual event dedicated to fine art, craftsmanship and community. Artists and artisans come from all over Florida and the Southeast to showcase their unique artwork at Tom Varn Park in Brooksville, Florida. This event will be a celebration of artistry in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

This year’s Art in the Park is estimated to draw more than 100 artists from 10 states. The 2024 AITP is drawing from the largest marketing budget in event history and will draw an expected crowd of 6,000 people.

Jessica Knutilla, administrative assistant for HCFAC, is inviting all creatives to show and sell their artistic wares at Art in the Park. “Calling all creatives! Artists and crafters of all mediums are invited to apply,” she stated.

This year’s Art in the Park, says Knutilla, will be more wide-scale and inclusive than ever before.
“We are expecting more fine art than ever before and are bringing back our live art demonstrators and interactive art installations,” she said. “Interested artists will be excited to hear that the Arts Council has a larger marketing budget than ever before for the 39th Annual Art in the Park, allowing us to reach a much larger audience than in past years. So artist exhibitors can expect our biggest crowd of art buyers and best show yet!”

Aside from the opportunity to display their masterworks at a popular, well-attended event, artists stand to derive a number of benefits from their participation in Art in the Park, including booth-sitting by event volunteers, complimentary coffee and donuts, and overnight security. They will also join AITP guests in enjoying two days of live entertainment.

Pedram Moghaddam, arts council vice chair, says that this year’s Art in the Park promises a divine union of past, present and future elements of the Hernando arts community.

“We’ll be celebrating the legacy of Art in the Park, the origins of the centerpiece arts event here in Hernando County,” he said. “At the other end of the spectrum, we’ll be featuring a lot of student art as well, with many categories and sections of art in between.”

Overall, Moghaddam promises a diverse, inclusive and joyful Art in the Park for 2024. Indeed, event categories include Fine Arts, Painting, Fine Arts Ceramics, Fine Crafts, Fine Arts Drawing and Graphics, Fine Arts Fibers, Fine Arts Sculpture, Fine Arts Jewelry, Fine Arts Photography, Fine Arts Digital Art, and Fine Arts Mixed Media. “It just keeps getting bigger and better,” he said.

For general information about Art in the Park 2024, visit www.aitphernando.com and www.facebook.com/events/944731533260089. Artists may apply directly for inclusion in AITP by filling out the application available at https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=11492. Here, artists can learn all pertinent information about booth space, rates, fees, rules and regulations, etc. Accepted artists will be notified of their inclusion later this month.