Thousands of people attended the Lake Worth Street Painting festival. Click the image to see more photos from the event. (Photo by Richard Graulich / The Palm Beach Post)
Despite chalk blowing in the wind and grey skies threatening to wash the paint away, the 18th annual Street Painting Festival drew a crowd in the thousands downtown today.
Between 2,000 to 3,000 people showed up to watch amateur and professional artists sketch dragons, elephants, monkeys, French women and convertibles, law-enforcement officials estimated.
After dealing with rain Saturday, periodic drizzles came down again today. But considering that conditions could have ruined the festival, artists said they were pleased.
Click here to see more photos from the festival
"Everyone?s running a little behind, but overall it?s been pretty good," said Lee Krull, a Lake Worth resident who was participating in the festival for the first time. Krull drew a reproduction of The Tub, an 1886 panting by French artist Edgar Degas, depicting a woman bathing
Julio Jimenez, a professional artist who was flown in from Los Angeles, said he has drawn street sketches in festivals around the United States and Mexico. He said he was impressed with a turnout in Lake Worth that was large enough for some people to park at the Tri-Rail station and take a shuttle downtown.
"In terms of bringing in a crowd, they?ve done a very good job," Jimenez said. "In comparison to other festivals, the organization is great."
Street painting festivals resonate with people. saod Jimenez, who sketched a work called Monkeying around with a Corvette .
"It?s not the same as going to a museum and you see the finished work," he said. "People are drawn to see performances and see the process. It?s a great way to educate and make everyone feel that they can do it themselves."
The festival drew a crowd of all ages, with no major problems, officials from the Palm Beach County Sheriff?s Office said.
Simone Kaufman, a seasonal resident who lives in Century Village in suburban West Palm Beach, said the festival has gotten much larger since she first attended several years ago.
"You have the amateurs who are learning, many young artists from high school who are very talented, and the professional artists who do a very excellent job," Kaufman said. "It?s a very good mix."
David Londen of West Palm Beach called the festival fascinating.
"I?m thrilled it didn?t rain much," Londen said. "I really like the creative energy."
Local businesses might have benefited the most, with festival-goers packing businesses on Lake and Lucerne Avenues.
"We?re getting a lot of people and it?s not just local," said Leena Gomez of Palm Beach Home Interiors at 716 Lake Ave. "This definitely brings a lot of people."
nevis 2012 sports illustrated swimsuit same day flower delivery valentines day westminster dog show valentines day cards hallmark
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.