Ranch Main sets stage for 10th arts festival

MANATEE COUNTY — The love Heritage Harbour resident Linda Lucas has for flowers is one she communicates with every stroke of her paintbrush.

And this weekend, she’ll share that passion and her talents as a watercolor artist with the East County as a participant in the 10th Annual Art at the Ranch Fine Arts Festival in Lakewood Ranch.

“It’s wonderful for me being (in a show) in my own community and having the support of the ArtCenter,” said Lucas, who participates in art shows across the country.

The free event, hosted by ArtCenter Manatee and LWR Communities, will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 20-21, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Festivities include exhibits and a chance to buy art from local and national artists as well as art demonstrations, food and drink sales and a raffle for some original pieces of artwork and other items.

“There’s going to be something for everyone out there,” ArtCenter Manatee Executive Director KC Bitterman said. “We jury the art. The work you are going to see there is going to be really good — some of the best artists around.”

The ArtCenter also will be selling its new cookbook, “A La Carte,” which was created using illustrations and recipes of ArtCenter members. The book debuted March 5.

Lucas, one of several East County artists in this year’s show, said she is eager to share her work with her community as one of the ArtCenter’s live demonstrators. Attendees can see Lucas in action from 12:30-1:30 p.m., March 20.

“People love to watch artists, whether they are creating a clay pot on a wheel or painting,” Lucas said of the demo. “It sparks their creativity.”

Lucas spent more than 20 years as a florist in New York before deciding to change her career path about 15 years ago and paint professionally. She had begun painting in oil and acrylics but later fell in love with watercolor.

“I felt that (watercolor) was something that was very transparent and a very good medium to express the feelings I had about flowers — the colors, the textures, the intricate shapes,” Lucas said.

For each piece of artwork, Lucas starts with a fresh bouquet of flowers, arranges them and then paints, bringing the image to life on canvas.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

Art at the Ranch Fine Arts Festival
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 20-21
WHERE: Lakewood Ranch Main Street
ACTIVITIES: Exhibits and a chance to buy artists’ work, food and drink, a raffle and other activities
COST: Free
CONTACT: www.artcentermanatee.org or 746-2862