It’s a Garden Parti!

Written by Rebecca Seelig Photography by Jason Nuttle

Palm Beach Gardens, the perfect home for the ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival

he ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival, presented by the Hanley Foundation, has a storied past with Palm Beach Gardens. For many years, the annual Presidents’ Day weekend art festival was held on a field behind The Gardens Mall and then on a lot on RCA Blvd.

“Since then, we’ve had a number of sites in The Gardens, one of my favorites sites was the Gardens Mall perimeter road -- one long show. No one ever lost track of their entry gate,” said Barbara Cotrell, who has been ArtiGras volunteer for more than 30 years. “Successful community growth in The Gardens, which was a good thing, moved us to Abacoa. But now

OPPOSITE PAGE: Trac Guiteau’s Flowersbright: Vibrant and rich with colors, Tracy Guiteau’s artistic style is reminiscent of her Haitian heritage.

we’re back at The Gardens in my new favorite site – the Gardens North County District Park. I just love the atmosphere of the green grass area with the art!”

Yes, ArtiGras has found a home at the Gardens North County District Park and festival organizers are throwing a Garden Arti Parti! a Garden Party. From the Youth Art Competition submissions to the marketing materials created for the event, all will be about a Garden Party to celebrate the relationship the festival has fostered with the City of Palm Beach Gardens.

“Last year, ArtiGras needed a new location and was welcomed back to the City of Palm Beach Gardens after 20 years,” said Noel Martinez, President & CEO of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce. “Gardens North County District Park turned out to be a perfect location for the growing festival, and we are thrilled to work with the city once again.”

Like Palm Beach Gardens, this awardwinning fine art show has grown over the years to include over 300 artists featuring gallery quality work in a multitude of different mediums including glass, photography, jewelry, painting, sculpture, fiber, mixed media, ceramic and drawing.

One artist that will be featured is local painter Tracy Guiteau, who has a studio in West Palm Beach. Tracy’s work is vibrant and rich with colors which reflect “her Haitian heritage, independent spirit, and love of finding beauty in all things.”

“I’m grateful and honored to be chosen as the ArtiGras poster artist this year. This will expand my artistic perspective with new experiences as well as to offer important representation that will encourage artists within our community to pursue their artistic vision,” said Tracy, who has showcased her art for a few years at local festivals, but this will be the first time Tracy has been selected as a commemorative poster artist.

The title of the ArtiGras commemorative poster is Blossoming You, and Tracy states her experience during the pandemic was her inspiration, “the journey of becoming who you are is embedded with obstacles and hardship, but overcoming each struggle reveals new growth.”

Patrons of ArtiGras will have the opportunity to meet with Tracy during the festival and see her amazing art. The 37th edition of the commemorative poster which Tracy is creating will also be available for purchase onsite at the event along with a limited number of signed posters. ArtiGras posters are always a collectable, especially when signed by the artist.

New this year, the festival will be incorporating the art of food in their ArtiGras Culinary Arts Studio. This new area will have a full kitchen set up provided by Kitchen Concepts & More and will showcase the creativity of cooking through live food demonstrations and tastings. This addition to ArtiGras is sure to satisfy the palate.

“We are excited to add culinary arts to the list of mediums you will find at the 2022 ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival,” said Bianca Colon, the Director of Events for the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce. “Our ‘Art & Chef Showcase Pavilion’ located on the field, will host our artist demonstrations in the morning, and in the early afternoon our local culinary professionals will showcase their signature dishes. We invite our patrons to check out this new space to rest their feet, and enjoy programs that are engaging, educational and most importantly, delicious.”

Listed as one of the Top 10 fine art festivals in the country, the 37th edition of ArtiGras will take place over the twodays of the Presidents’ Day weekend – February 19-20. In addition to the fine art on display, patrons of ArtiGras can also enjoy activities which include live entertainment and interactive art activities for children and adults,

The always popular Amazon ArtiKids Zone has been expanded and will include more activities for the children and resting areas for parents. After the Baptist Health Youth Art Competition winners are announced on Saturday, February 19, students, who placed, will enjoy seeing their art, with the theme of Garden Party, on displayed in the Youth Art Gallery also located in the Amazon ArtiKids Zone.

General admission tickets to ArtiGras are currently available online at www.artigras. org for the advance ticket price of $11. Admission at the gate is $15, with children 12 and under admitted free of charge.

In addition, volunteer opportunities with ArtiGras are still available. It takes more than 600 volunteers to successfully run the festival and there are many openings to be part of the fun from artist relations to helping patrons in the Info Booth. Students can also earn community service hours when they volunteer at the festival. You can learn more about volunteering on the ArtiGras website – www.artigras.org.

This amazing outdoor art event is presented by Hanley Foundation and produced by the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, a not-for-profit organization serving more than 10 municipalities from Tequesta to Mangonia Park. For additional information, visit www.artigras.org or contact the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce at (561) 746-7111.

MODEL: TRACY GUITEAU. STYLED BY CANDICE TEMPLE

Tracy Guiteau was selected as this year’s ArtiGras commemorative poster artist.

Chef Nogee will be part of the new ArtiGras Culinary Arts Studio where local chefs will showcase the art of food.