March 3rd -8th | 2008 Riverfest & Wekiva Paint Out  Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka will be invaded during the first week of March 2008 by a type of artist known as a plein air painter. These artists paint outside “en plein air,” meaning “in open air”, to capture the natural light and colors of nature and transfer it directly onto the canvas The phrase comes from a 19th Century French movement and has seen a national resurgence of popularity in the last few years, making it “the show to attend” for artists and collectors alike. This style of painting allows the public to interact with the artists, watching while a beautiful painting of a favorite local scene is created. Patrons often say “I watched while the artist painted this scene so I just had to buy it.” Paint outs offer a great opportunity to purchase an original work of art from a well known artist at a reasonable price and it helps preserve the local environment at the same time.
Approximately 35 of Florida’s best plein air painters will be coming from all over the United States to attend the second annual Wekiva Invitational Plein Air Paint Out from March 3 – 8, 2008. The artists will begin painting Monday, March 3rd in the Wekiwa Springs State Park and along the Wekiva River. Event staff will be able to direct the public to where each artist will be working for the day. Many of the artists have patrons who follow them from paint out to paint out, buying a painting after watching it being created. The finished artwork is available to view and purchase in the Youth Camp Rec Hall Monday thru Friday from 10:00-6:00. On Saturday from 10:00-4:00, we will move the art to the Live Oak Pavilion near the Springhead for the Friends of Wekiva River Annual Riverfest. There will be live music, authors, food vendors, canoe rentals, children’s activities, live animals, guided hikes and exhibitors from eco-friendly organizations to help increase public awareness of the Wekiva River and its importance to our community and the natural lifestyle we all enjoy here in central Florida. All activities are FREE (except for the pontoon boats) and the art can be purchased throughout the day. State Park entry fees ($3pp or $5 per carload) apply M-F but are FREE on Saturday during the Riverfest.
The most exciting part of this event is that all of the proceeds from art sales will be donated to two non-profit organizations working to preserve and protect the beauty and natural functions of the Wekiva River system: The Friends of the Wekiva River (FOWR) and the Wekiva Wilderness Trust. For more information about these organizations and the participating artists, visit www.wekivapaintout.com and follow the links or send an email to the Event Director, Leslie Long: Leslie@wekivapaintout.com.
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March 21st through April 7th | Keep Seminole Beautiful 2008 Tree Sale At South Seminole Nursery 2010 Lake Dr, Casselberry, 32707 Live Oak and Red Maple bare root trees are for sale for $1.00 each ~ minimum order 10 trees (if you don't need 10 you can donate any extra to KSB and we'll plant them). South Seminole Nursery is also donating 10% of the sale price on any trees they sell over this period to KSB. For additional details call Jim Hunter at South Seminole Nursery at 407-695-2930; or Mike Barr. KSB Executive Director 407-234-7283. 
Live Oak 
Red Maple |