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Altamonte Springs, FL - March 29 & 30, 2014 - Uptown Art Expo

Best of Show - John Margerum, Digital (John, on the right)
Award of Excellence - Gregory Jones, Mixed Media
Award of Excellence - Christian Nevin, Jewelry
Judges Choice - Dave Bruner, Printmaking
Judges Choice - Russ Schmidt, Glass
Award of Distinction - Robert Lawarre, Ceramics
Award of Distinction - Robert Goodlett, Painting
Award of Distinction - Robert Amoruso, Photography
Award of Distinction - Archie Vandermast, Sculpture
Award of Distinction - Kate Carney, Painting
Award of Distinction - Julie Anstaett, Jewelry
Award of Distinction - Jeffrey Matter, Sculpture
Award of Distinction - Gianfianco Tomassetti, Printmaking
Award of Distinction - Zhiyjong Ye, Painting
Award of Distinction - Benjamin Peterson, Sculpture

This event is in its 3rd or 4th year, and its organizer Jim Barton keeps searching for the "good weather date." This year he almost got it perfect. From Jim:

The festival started on Saturday with the reports that a big front was crossing the state, we were hoping for the best as the festival was filling up but my 1pm we were under a tornado warnings and potential of wind gusts of 70mph. The park closed the festival as the front was to pass us and with a possibility to reopen at 5pm and run to 9-10pm.

(printmaker Dave Bruner)

We had Mindi Abair set to perform as our headliner show, the storm was a blast of water but the artists survived but not our stage and band set up it was soaked. I had to rent more band equipment in order for them to even perform.

The sun came out at 5:30pm, and it turned into a beautiful spring evening in Central Florida our concert was a success. In the future the ability to communication to all your exhibitors is something I need to look at as many were wondering the when we would or if we would reopen my phone email and text was on fire from all sources. We did broadcast over the pa system that plays throughout the park that the Expo would reopen when weather conditions would improve.

I also did place posts on the website and Facebook as in the field those were the only options.  Those who came back on Saturday had a nice evening. Sunday was beautiful, and it showed all the artists the true potential of the show. I guess I will have to go for round 4 to secure that perfect weekend.