LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Artist Carroll Swayze brings back the Englewood Invitational Outdoor Art Festival

The 34th Annual Englewood Invitational Outdoor Art Festival is slated for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 29-30 after a two-year hiatus … and it promises to be the “Best Little Art Show” in Englewood. The pandemic was rough on everyone, especially artists whose jobs were literally the first to shut down in March of 2020. Every show in the country was canceled in the middle of our Florida season, which left independent artists high and dry for not only work and money, but with businesses shuttered it was difficult to get supplies to work during that time.

To the Editor:

The 34th Annual Englewood Invitational Outdoor Art Festival is slated for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 29-30 after a two-year hiatus … and it promises to be the “Best Little Art Show” in Englewood. 

The pandemic was rough on everyone, especially artists whose jobs were literally the first to shut down in March of 2020. Every show in the country was canceled in the middle of our Florida season, which left independent artists high and dry for not only work and money, but with businesses shuttered it was difficult to get supplies to work during that time.  

The good news now is that this past two years has been an incredible time of creativity for most and I can’t wait to see the beautiful artwork that my art show will showcase on January 29th.

The show began in 1986 as the brainchild of well-known sculptor James Sears and Englewood Bank president, Ferold Davis, and was held at the bank for 33 years.I took the reins almost 20 years ago and with that came the responsibility of inviting artists from around the country to exhibit their work in the community.  

As the show grew, so did the need for parking. This year the 34th Annual Englewood Invitational Winter Art Festival will be held in its new location on the grounds of the Englewood Elks Club at 401 N. Indiana Avenue in Englewood.   

This year’s show is incredible. The diversity of the artwork is cutting edge and exciting, everything is handmade by the artists who will be here to showcase their best creations. I looked all over the country for new and interesting work to present to our Englewood/Boca Grande community and I am looking forward to the weekend.  

Fifty award-winning fine artists and craftsmen will be featured in this juried art event and every media will be represented. The Englewood Invitational Winter Art Festival is a premiere art collecting opportunity for local homeowners and visitors as well as being a great place to spend the day.  

There will be everything from handmade clothing to large original watercolors, acrylics and oils. Incredible sculpture, hand-forged jewelry, pottery, photography … everything you can imagine will be represented. 

The Englewood Invitational Winter Art Festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, January 29-30, and will have something for everyone. Delicious food and refreshments will be available and there will be plenty of free parking. Bring your friends and family to enjoy a day with fine artists and craftsmen from all over the country while you help support original art and the makers who create it.  

For directions and more information about the show please call Carroll Swayze at (941) 266-6434.

Carroll Swayze

Englewood/Boca Grande