Downtown St. Petersburg Art Festival At Baywalk Makes Art A Good Investment In A Sluggish Economy

Jan. 19, 2009 - PRLog -- ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – The Downtown St. Petersburg Art Festival at BayWalk returns for its 2nd anniversary on January 24 – 25, 2009. Admission is free and open to the public.

Despite the sluggish economy and a tough retail environment, Howard Alan Events, the festival’s promoter, says that it has not deterred crowds from attending its art fairs around the U.S. and is optimistic about the success of the Downtown St. Petersburg Art Festival. Howard Alan, president, comments, “In today’s economy, people are not buying a new car or taking a big vacation, but they are still treating themselves to art.  They may be more conservative in their buying habits, but they are still buying.” Alan elaborates, “Art is an investment that’s tangible. You can hang it on the wall and enjoy it as it appreciates in value, as opposed to a piece of paper that you file away in a drawer.”

This two-day event brings together 100 of the nation’s most talented artists who will collectively display over $15 million in artwork.  The artists were juried by an independent panel of expert judges, and hand-selected from hundreds of applicants based on quality and diversity.  All of their artwork is original and handmade in America.

Howard Alan Events, the festival’s promoter, stipulates that all artists are required to be on-site for the entire duration of the show. The artists will line the streets of BayWalk with their professional display booths, transforming the area into a first-class outdoor art gallery. The public can meet and talk with the artists personally, asking questions about their art and inspirations. The artistic media represented include paintings, sculptures, photos, glass, wood, jewelry, collage, and ceramics.

The Downtown St. Petersburg Art Festival at BayWalk makes the arts accessible to a broad audience. Prices range from $25 hand-designed earrings to $20,000 metal sculptures. The event appeals to family and friends as a free and fun weekend activity, as well as serious art buyers looking to add to their collections. Howard Alan, president, comments, “In today’s economy, people are not buying a new car or taking a big vacation, but they are still treating themselves to art.”

Festival Hours: Saturday, January 24, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
                           Sunday, January 25, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Directions: Streets of BayWalk in downtown St. Petersburg.

About Howard Alan Events, Ltd.:
Howard Alan Events, a Florida-based company, develops and presents art and craft shows throughout the country. For the past 25 years, Howard Alan Events has produced some of the nation’s finest juried art shows, including more than 40 venues each year such as the Downtown Aspen Art Festival, Beaver Creek Art Festival, Downtown Naples Art Festival, Chicago Tribune Magnificent Mile Art Festival, and the Las Olas Art Fair. Several shows are ranked in the top 100 art fairs in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine. The group’s founders personally select culture rich cities for their show locations providing a complete outdoor experience unmatched by other festivals. Each show is unique with works of both established and emerging artists.

For additional information on the 2nd Annual Downtown St. Petersburg Art Festival at BayWalk and other Howard Alan Events art and craft shows across the country, visit www.artfestival.com or call 954-472-3755.

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Howard Alan Events, a Florida-based company, develops and presents art and craft shows throughout the country. For the past 25 years, Howard Alan Events has produced some of the nation’s finest juried art shows, including more than 40 venues each year.