In 2012, the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts will be held on Saturday, March 3 from 9a,-6pm and on Sunday, March 4 from 10am-5pm. The artists and public are invited to view the work selected by the juror at the Collector's Showcase on Sunday, March 4 from 8:30-10am at the Tampa Museum of Art.
Held annually the first weekend in March, The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts showcases 300 of the world’s most talented artists who essentially transform a downtown Tampa park into a museum. Pre-jurors undergo the painstaking process of hand-picking these artists from the more than 1,000 who apply to participate.
This is one of the premier events in downtown Tampa. Bring your walking shoes and get ready to see some amazing artists' work! Food available for purchase as are all the local downtown shops open for business. March is beautiful in Tampa and this well organized event is a must attend if you are an art lover.
This is one of the finest and top-rated outdoor fine arts shows in the USA. The event is always held in early March when Florida's weather is picture perfect. Strolling around while looking at beautiful art makes me feel like I've taken a mini vacation! The festival can be crowded but relatively easy to push a stroller while browsing. Plan to go early on Sunday morning to beat the crowds. The Childrens Museum and Tampa Museum of Art surround this park so you can easily see many things in one visit to downtown.