Hernando Beach Art Walk Resumes

With the summer slowly but surely winding down, the Hernando Beach Front Porch Art Walk has returned once more. After taking a hiatus for the months of June and July, local art once again graces the Silver Dolphin Restaurant and Country Store. Dozens of art vendors are once again setting up shop on the first Saturday of every month to show off their works and ply their trade.

With numbers sometimes higher than 50 displaying their art outside the Silver Dolphin, the idea has grown quickly since its inception a year and a half ago. Founded in January 2023, it began when Yann Milcendeau from the Silver Dolphin discussed the need for art in the area with Hernando Beach Front Porch Art Walk Founder Diane Greenwell.

Since she was also the Secretary and Community Outreach Coordinator for the HCFAC (Hernando County Fine Arts Council), Greenwell felt that there may be some way to address this. Though the council was supportive, “everybody’s got ideas, but nobody really ever pushes them through,” she noted.

After sending out a Google form in the hopes of getting an application, 14 people showed up for the first outing. After hearing from others that the event should be held every month, she obliged, and things continued to grow quickly. Week two saw 23 vendors before the number grew to 35, then 42, and finally 52.

With numbers ballooning, the county stepped in and required proof of ownership with the guidelines. She insisted that the event, which is for the good of the local economy, takes place on private property that has already been insured.

As the Sun had reported in a recent issue, the county’s commissioners are looking into amending potentially unnecessary regulations surrounding local festivities. Assuming this restriction is lifted by the board, this should allow gatherings like the art walk to flourish or fail more naturally without the impediment of redundant rules like the need for double insurance.

The event is free for artists to set up their exhibits, as are any passersby, to peek at the painstakingly painted portraits and works of art. The only fee required by Greenwell and company is a $50 charge for businesses who wish to bring a tent and advertise. Along with donations, these are the art walk’s only means of making money.

The art walk’s founder wants to find some way to get students involved, too. Local educator Nicole Miller, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Retention Services at Pasco Hernando State College, heard about the event from Greenwell who has visited the college to bring awareness of the event to students. Miller now visits the art walk every month as a patron.

“We look for it each month and come on down because we live in the area and just enjoy supporting local and purchasing gifts and things for family and friends from local artists rather than going to the big malls and shops and all,” said Miller.

As shown by its mid-summer sabbatical, the Hernando Beach Front Porch Art Walk is flexible. Last year, Greenwell’s squad held a similar art event as Brian’s Place in the Hernando Beach area. Moving forward, the all-volunteer crew is also considering holding a gathering that involves a winter wine tasting.

Greenwell is constantly searching for more ways to attract the public’s interest. With Halloween on the horizon, they will be looking to theme exhibits around the upcoming holidays. Before the Christmas Chardonnay, there will be a “Cancer Tamer” Mermaid painting fundraiser for a breast cancer awareness mural on the side of the Silver Dolphin Restaurant.

Speaking of mermaids, local artist Renata Villemaire was also in attendance. Renata was one of the talented individuals commissioned to paint the Tale Trail mermaid statues (Marina and Undine), and she has been tasked with refreshing all 27 of the fiberglass mermaids’ coats to protect them from the elements.

Greenwell’s goal for students is to help them become more aware of art programs in schools, especially considering some institutions do not even have these courses. They work closely with Brooksville and work to “cross-support” events with the city. The larger goal for all involved is to ensure that “the arts get into all four corners of the county,” Greenwell stated.

“I got goosebumps right now,” said Roxanne Campbell, a retired art teacher of 40 years. “This is like the dream. I’ve been here 30 years at my home here on the beach […] Other kids also that have gone to schools in our district are obviously very interested in what’s going on. I’ve had a couple come to my booth and other booths […] As an art teacher, yeah, I guess [kids] have been my whole life.”