YOUNG AT ART: One-of-a-kind Festival, Life-changing Foundation

As budget cuts increase, school art programs continue to decrease everyday. We know how important these programs are to a child's educational and social development and that's why we created the ArtiGras Foundation to benefit local school art programs and scholarships. We are proud to report that since its beginning, ArtiGras ticket sales and programs have generated over $480,000 to the Foundation. The 2013 ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival promises to be "one-of-a-kind" with increased fundraising and scholarship opportunities.

Recycling is an Art
Children in art classes across the county hand-decorated more than twenty Aquathin® recycling bins to compete in the ArtiGras Recycling is an Art contest through Resource Depot. The bins will be placed throughout the festival and patrons will vote on the winner. The top 10 bins receive $250 for art supplies. Southern Waste Systems will collect and recycle all materials deposited in these works of art.

Local art teachers also submit their students' artwork for the Student Youth Art Competition. Students are judged by grade level and each grade has a first-, second- and third-place winner Each year, more than $3,000 in prize money is donated to local school art programs through the competition.

ArtiKids Area and Art Wall
More than twelve children's cultural organizations will participate in ArtiGras' popular ArtiKids area this year which features youth-focused art classes and craft projects, including an interactive art wall that will display your child's talent for all festival patrons. ArtiGras artists also donate pieces of work to the area's Tiny Treasures program which allows children to purchase their first piece of original art for just $20. All ArtiKids area proceeds benefit the ArtiGras Foundation.

Homegrown Artists, All Grown Up
In addition to inspiring young artists through education funding, ArtiGras' HomeGrown Artists program provides inexperienced artists with the tools and resources needed to begin their career. Now in its fourth year, the program helps artists get started by providing mentorship, tools and exhibition supplies. This year, eight artists who graduated from the program were accepted into the festival through the rigorous ArtiGras jury process.

From its humble beginnings at the North Palm Beach Country Club, to its current ranking as one of the premier fine art festivals in the United States, the ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival has stayed true to its purpose – to promote cultural arts in Northern Palm Beach County in a family friendly environment. ArtiGras will mark its 28th year February 16, 17 and 18, 2013 at Abacoa Town Center in Jupiter, FL.

Sincerely,



Ed Chase
President and CEO,
Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce