Scenes from the 50th Annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival
Jim Carchidi
the32789 captures the moment as artists from across the state exhibit their work throughout Central Park. Photos by: Jim Carchidi
Two weeks after the first day of Autumn, Winter Park observed its seasonal celebration of creativity with the 50th annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival. Hosted by Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, the event is the only juried show to focus exclusively on Florida-based artists and offers nearly $30,000 in cash awards that includes the $5,000 Best of Show Award.
From Oct. 7-8, the downtown area featured 186 creators specializing in mediums ranging from ceramics, jewelry, crafts, and fiber arts to painting, mixed media, digital art and photography. Among the exhibitors were Douglas Bringle, a ceramics instructor whose love of archaeology inspires his work, and Timothy Hall, a former educator and school counselor-tuned architectural photographer.
Crowds wind through the collection of exhibitor tents populating Central Park and Park Avenue during the 50th annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival.
Mixed media artist Juan Ramirez Cotrino, of Coral Gables, exhibited a selection of large abstract portraits and landscapes that are rooted in the style of Pablo Picasso, and in his father’s profession. “He was a mechanical engineer,” Cotrino said. “My lines and shapes are inspired by the tools my father used, and by his work. I also like to paint on wood and aluminum to add an industrial element.”
Juan Ramirez Cotrino was inspired to paint during his childhood in Bogota, Colombia when he saw photographs of Pablo Picaso’s work.Cotrino paints on industrial materials, like wood and aluminum, and adds three-dimensional depth to his abstract portraits and landscapes by applying textures and painting deep shadows.
As Cotrino showcased his pieces, his daughter and fellow festival contributor Nathalie Ramirez was exhibiting her own large-scale paintings. She describes her work as “an abstract view of the universe” and incorporates layered textures using paper and sand. “We focus on different subjects but there are similarities,” she said of the creative ties with her father. “He was definitely an influence on me.”
Nathalie Ramirez, daughter of Juan Ramirez Cotrino, is also an abstract painter and portrays more organic subject matter with different textural layers.
While spotlighting the talent of the state-wide art community, the festival brings approximately 150,000 visitors to downtown Winter Park, offering an opportunity for retailers and restaurateurs to spotlight their businesses.
Check out the list of 2023 winners here, and see the photo gallery for a look at some of the creative scenery from the 50th annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival.
Winter Park resident Douglas Bringle is a ceramics instructor at Crealdé School of Art.Bringle’s fascination with archaeology inspires his primitive style, meant to resemble artifacts of an early civilization.Tampa-based photographer Timothy Hall uses drones and a 35 mm camera to capture images of architecture and abandoned structures.Marc Gilmet of Deltona carves gourdes into unique sculptures. He coats them with polyurethane to preserve them.The Orlando Children’s Choir serenades attendees on the first morning of the festival.Xiubo “Pearl” Pearce of Groveland creates functional stoneware pieces including plates, mugs and containers.Pearce also decorates her pieces with designs and drawings of nature-based subjects.Clay planters by Longwood artist CC Lee have a personality of their own.Handcrafted wooden lanterns hang in the exhibitor tent of John and Laurie Smith of Yalaha. The couple use domestic hardwoods to create their pieces and finish them only with lacquer to bring out the natural color.Art is complimented by smooth tunes as Winter Park High School Jazz Ensemble takes the stage.A festivalgoer is framed through the metal art of Sarasota-based sculptor Domenico Belli.Born in Ukraine, Sergei Orgunov studied art in Kiev and worked as a freelance photographer before moving to the U.S. in 1992 and developing his skill as a painter. Based in Jacksonville, his paintings reflect his passion for nature and wildlife.A giant praying mantis highlights the exhibit of mixed media artist Admire Borges of Cape Coral. Patrons browse seaside scenes by Sarasota-based painter Victoria B. Cooley.Alfred Phillips of Gainesville was the 2022 Autumn Art Festival Best In Show winner. He pivoted from a career in commercial art to follow his passion for fine art that combines a contemporary style with abstract accents.Festival vendors attracted their own crowds with a diverse selection of drinks and food offerings.Rice is added to a giant pan of Paella Del Mar at Paellas Madrileñas.The combination of shrimp, calamari, mussels and scallops is as colorful as the festival artwork.
