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Wellen Park introduces inaugural Weekend of Art performing and fine arts festival

VENICE, Fla. (Jan. 31, 2025) – Wellen Park is dedicating Valentine’s Day weekend to the arts. The inaugural Weekend of Art, encompassing a performing arts showcase and fine arts festival, is Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15-16, on the Great Lawn and the Solis Hall stage in Downtown Wellen. The event is free and open to the public.

Presented in partnership with the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County and Paragon Festivals, Wellen Park’s Weekend of Art features performances by local performing arts organizations at scheduled times between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Guests will also enjoy an outdoor gallery of original and handmade art, including paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, woodworking, glass, fiber, ceramics and mixed-media works by artists from Florida and around the U.S. The Fine Arts Festival provides opportunities for art lovers to meet the artists, learn about their inspirations and techniques, and commission pieces from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We are thrilled to bring the arts to our residents and the community with this dedicated event,” said Christine Masney, vice president of marketing for Wellen Park. “The arts enrich and transform lives and define a sense of community.”

Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating on the Great Lawn. Refreshments and food are available at downtown restaurants and The Yard food park. 

Event Schedule

Saturday, Feb. 15

  • Fine Arts Festival presented by Paragon Festivals: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Circus Arts Conservatory: 10 to 10:30 a.m.
  • Sarasota Concert Association: 11 to 11:50 a.m.
  • Sarasota Contemporary Dance: 12:30 to 1 p.m.
  • Venice Symphony: 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 16

  • Fine Arts Festival presented by Paragon Festivals: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Live music under the Heritage Tree: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Live on Solis Hall Stage: The Jewel Tones: 1 to 5 p.m.

Wellen Park’s commitment to the visual and performing arts runs deep. The community hosts regular performances and classes by local theater companies and symphonies, and weekly music on the Solis Hall stage.

From weekly fitness classes and clubs to live music, farmers markets, holiday celebrations and Atlanta Braves spring training, there’s always something to do at Wellen Park. For more information about the Weekend of Art and a detailed list of performances, visit wellenpark.com/weekend-of-art.

About Downtown Wellen

Downtown Wellen is the region’s must-visit social and gathering spot offering restaurants, boutiques, beauty services, and medical and professional offices. Thoughtfully designed spaces create unique outdoor experiences – from intimate parks, a natural playground and a living room shaded by a decades-old relocated live oak tree to larger gathering spaces like the Great Lawn for community festivals, markets, celebrations and events, and the lakefront fountain and splashpad. Solis Hall, an elegant rental venue, features an outdoor stage, a lakefront patio and an easy flow from inside spaces to neighboring alfresco areas.

The pedestrian-friendly downtown emphasizes heartfelt connections to community and nature and celebrates a waterfront vibe with the 80-acre Grand Lake providing a scenic backdrop and opportunities for fishing and paddle sports. Visitors can enjoy time on the water and along downtown’s 3-mile lakefront trail with on-site bicycle, e-bike, kayak and paddleboard rentals at Kind Vibes Outfitters.

The Yard food park offers a playful outdoor environment with a dining area, games and activities. Casual food and beverage choices are served counter style from retrofitted shipping containers.

Downtown Wellen is located at 19745 Wellen Park Blvd., Venice. Learn more at wellenpark.com/shop-dine.

About Wellen Park

With a focus on wellness, community connections and a vibrant lifestyle, Wellen Park offers an array of homes and neighborhoods built by leading national and regional builders. Ranked the No. 6 best-selling community in the nation for 2024 by prominent national real estate consultants RCLCO and John Burns, Wellen Park is planned for more than 50,000 residents and 22,500 homes at full buildout. The community is currently home to 10,000 residents who enjoy on-site recreational and fitness opportunities, amenities, events, Downtown Wellen and proximity to the area’s top-rated Gulf of Mexico beaches.

Wellen Park continues to expand residential and lifestyle choices with new gated neighborhoods featuring private amenities, low-maintenance villas, coach homes and condominiums, plus custom, semi-custom and single-family homes, including the community’s first enclave for active adults 55 and over.

Traditional apartment and single-family home rentals are also available as is world-class independent, assisted living and memory care.

For more information about Wellen Park, call 941-960-7805, go to www.wellenpark.com or visit the Welcome Center, open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 12275 Mercado Drive in Venice, Fla.

About the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County sees the arts as a luminous force, highlighting the identity of Florida’s Cultural Coast. The arts enlighten everyday lives with beauty, emotion and understanding, acting as a constant reminder of the goodness and creativity inherent in humanity.

As Sarasota County’s dedicated Local Arts Agency, the Arts and Cultural Alliance stands as a guiding light in this vibrant, cultural region.

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County’s purpose is to champion the arts, advocating for their vitality and ensuring they flourish throughout our community. The Arts Alliance serves as a connector — building bridges between artists, organizations and you, in collaboration and celebration of this incredible, creative light we all share. We are the voice of the arts at the forefront, advocating tirelessly to secure the future and enhance the rich cultural tapestry that defines Florida’s Cultural Coast.

With the arts generating over $300 million annually, we work to fuel our arts powered economy.

For more information about the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, visit sarasotaarts.org.

Contact:

Jennifer Hamilton, Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and PR, 239-275-5758, [email protected]

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