CREATIVE FLAIR: Windermere Fine Art Show returns

The event will include a variety of art available for purchase, live entertainment, performing arts and food.

ANNABELLE SIKES

NEWS EDITOR

The art event of the year for West Orange and Southwest Orange County residents is returning this weekend to the town of Windermere.

Windermere Arts Chair Anne Scharer started the show in 2016 as the Windermere Art Affair. This year, the show will feature more than 70 artists — more than 20 under age 18— and their creations in clay, pottery, painting, sculpting, woodworking and more.

The show, set to take place Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12, will feature a variety of art available for purchase, live entertainment, food, drinks and performing arts in a festive atmosphere around Town Square and Main Street sidewalks.

Scharer, a certified intuitive life and wellness coach, said although the show is hard work to put together, the artists are what inspire her to keep putting on the event.

“When I find raw talent that doesn’t recognize the talent they have or that they have an ability, that inspires me,” she said. “When you look back years later at the impact this has … I have artists reach out to me and thank me for helping to build them up and saying that I’ve inspired them, when really they’ve inspired me. I want them to know what they’re capable of.”

ABOUT THE SHOW

The show will feature 75 artists in total, with 24 of the artists under the age of 18.

Scharer aims to create a calming

If You Go

WINDERMERE

FINE ART SHOW

WHEN: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 11; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, March 12

WHERE: 520 Main St., Windermere WEBSITE: windermerearts. com/windermere-fine-art-show and inspiring environment in which attendees can have fun while also learning from and supporting artists through the purchase of creative works.

Since the pandemic, Scharer said she has not put the show’s information out to the entire country to limit the show to supporting Floridabased artists, but she said the show most likely will be opened to artists nationwide next year.

Young artists have been a focus for Scharer this year, and she hopes she can see even more young talents get involved in future years.

This year, she created a first-, second- and third-place award category for young artists under age 18, in addition to the best in show award and placing awards for the adult artists.

The sidewalk chalk competition is also a new feature of the art show this year.

Local high school students will have the opportunity to show off their talents in the judged event from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 11, at Windermere Town Hall.

Meet The Artists

KATE THOMAS

The First Academy student Kate Thomas will participate in the show for her second time this year. She is excited to be in the show again and feels the show is a good platform for artists who can share their own art while also experiencing others.

“I have been involved with art for as long as I can remember,” Thomas said. “As a kid, I was always drawing any chance I could get, but I finally devoted myself to my passion when I was just 8 years old.

I love the amount of freedom I have as an artist. Being able to express myself in so many different mediums and see others do the same is a huge inspiration for me.”

Thomas works in both 2D and 3D media and describes her style as whimsical. Her biggest inspirations for her style include subjects such as animated films and shows, as well as comics.

Follow Thomas’ art on Instagram @rabbitqueeb.

STEPHEN WITHERS

Local artist Stephen Withers has been participating in the art show since its inception.

“I do it because it’s a great community event,” Withers said. “I think a lot of the other artists do it for that reason as well. It’s fun to meet your neighbors, show them what you’re doing and talk about art with the other artists.”

Withers said his style is nonexistent — he tries to do something new every day. He enjoys trying everything in art, including watercolor, sketching and studio art.

Recently, he joined a group of retired Disney artists who travel the local area doing plein air painting, a new concept for him to explore.

Withers’ passion for art started when he was only in first grade.

He remembers his mother sending him to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, where he took art classes when he was 10 years old. By seventh grade, he knew he wanted to be an architect which became his life for the entirety of his professional career.

Since he retired 12 years ago, Withers said he has been able to focus more on his art.

Follow Withers’ art on his website at stephenwithersart.com.

CRISTIAM RAMOS

Artist Cristiam Ramos also has been part of the art show since its inception. He believes the show is an amazing opportunity for artists to showcase their art and start building relations with other artists and collectors. He said some galleries have even reached out to him because of the show.

Ramos started creating art at age 5. Back then, it was just a game for him. He started experimenting and discovering new materials without thinking it would become something important in his life. At age 19, he started his professional career as an art teacher and artist.

Ramos’ career has been challenged with many obstacles and rejections, but he said he has learned to never give up and to fight for his dreams — even when others did not believe in him.

“Art for me is a way of life, and it is the way I express my feelings, thoughts and my way of seeing the world,” Ramos said. “I am inspired by everything I see in God’s creation and everything that surrounds me. I have always been looking for new ways to express myself and be different from others. I believe that the key is to be original and different from the others. If you are not different, you get lost along with everyone. You have to be excellent in every job you do. It does not matter if it takes a long time and practice. Practice makes you perfect. After that, there is no obstacle impossible to overcome to achieve success.”

Ramos’ works are featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not museums around the world, as well as in museums in New York, Hollywood and Orlando. He has earned more than 20 awards and holds two world records. He also is featured in several galleries around the country and has participated in contemporary art shows in New York.

His creative works include projects such as painting on real butterfly wings and making a portrait composed of different candies. His latest collection features art with denim jeans.

Follow Ramos’ art on his Facebook at Cristiam Ramos Art.