SIX YEARS AND COUNTING!
2023 LOWER SUWANNEE ART & NATURE FESTIVAL
2023 February 28
Mark your calendar for year six of the annual Lower Suwannee Art & Nature Festival, Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Glen Dyals Park, 21354 SE Hwy 349, Suwannee, FL 32692.
We invite you to come on down to where the famous Suwannee River meets the Gulf of Mexico for the day, or morning, or an afternoon sampling local artists, Artisans, and crafters with “down home” live music and food vendors. Look for paintings and photographs of Florida’s natural beauty, including coastal landscapes, water birds, aquatic life, plus metal and wood artists—then kick back at picnic tables under shady trees while you savor some local food and music.
“Each year we look forward to this opportunity to welcome locals and visitors to our unique corner of Florida,” says festival organizer and Suwannee Library Manager Jane Connors. “We hope you will come to the festival and discover or rediscover the natural flavor of our area’s artistry at this open-air event.”
This year’s festival poster features artwork from local fine artist and illustrator Mary Benoit. Her work is based on coastal, rural, and rustic themes inspired by her love of the outdoors and old Florida images. She mainly uses acrylic paint on a variety of mediums such as canvas, old glass windows, weathered wood, and other repurposed objects.
Classically trained with a degree in Studio Art from Florida State University, Mary has been an art director for a central Florida advertising agency and art teacher covering elementary through high school. For many years she produced community art shows for state and local educational and medical facilities. She developed a program called Creative Expressions, using art as therapy for patients and residents at a state mental health facility. Her art philosophy can be summed up with the quote by Henry David Thoreau, “The question is not what you look at, but what you see.”
For the past five years Mary has been producing her locally themed artwork for individuals and displaying at festivals. Look for her booth on March 11—but come early. Her art sells fast!
The festival is sponsored by the Suwannee Library Technical Center, part of Dixie County Public Library and takes place just outside the waterfront community of Suwannee. The park is adjacent to the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge where festivalgoers can take a side trip on the wild side and hike, bike, or drive along the Dixie Mainline trail to see birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Younger children will also enjoy the shady fenced playground area within the park grounds.
Vendor applications will be accepted until March 1, 2022 or until all spaces are allocated. Vendor booths are $30 per 10 x 10 space. For more information, go to our website at suwanneeartfest.com or contact Jane Connors at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 352-542-8320.
Caption: Local artist Mary Benoit is featured on this year’s poster and will have a booth at the festival in Suwannee.
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