Newsroom

The 39th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show is proud to present this year’s poster image, featuring the work of Sandra Matasick. Matasick’s career began by taking one simple class in jewelry making where she was immediately hooked. Her passion for jewelry making is further exemplified by the time she crawled into the window of her school’s locked studio to work on her craft all through the night. Matasick went on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Metalsmithing from the University of Kansas and her Master of Fine Arts in Metalsmithing from the State University of New York, New Paltz. After obtaining her degrees, she worked in jewelry stores creating custom pieces for clients before starting her own business.

The 38th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show is quickly approaching and the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is looking for individuals and organizations that would like to support this community event by volunteering at one of the top fine art shows in the country.  This is your opportunity to mingle with nationally-acclaimed artists, enjoy performing arts and sample international cuisine. This award-winning art festival features 240 of the nation’s finest artists, as well as four stages of continuous entertainment. Four-hour shifts are available on Saturday, Nov. 16 or Sunday, Nov. 17 for volunteers of all ages. Volunteers can assist at the Junior Fire Fighting Challenge, booth sit for artists, greet guests as they arrive or help with the Children’s Imagination Station, a free, hands-on art activity area. As a token of our appreciation, volunteers will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Young artists (age seven to 18) are invited to join a tradition of artistic excellence and showcase their talent as the 38th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show honors young and aspiring artists in the Young Artist section. Recognized as one of the top fine art shows in the country, the festival is produced by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department. On Saturday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 17, more than 240 local and national artists will display original oils and acrylics, vibrant watercolors, captivating sculptures, dazzling jewelry, decorative ceramics and vivid photography in historic downtown Gainesville. Young Artist applications for the Downtown Festival & Art Show are available upon request at 352-393-8536 or online at www.gainesvilledowntownartfest.org. The application deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 30.

The City of Gainesville invites the public to participate in a neighborhood workshop to discuss improvements for the Clarence R. Kelly Community Center on Monday, July 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Clarence R. Kelly Community Center (1701 NE Eighth Ave.). Design options will be on display for the public to view and discuss. Light refreshments will be provided. 

Click here to view a map of event parking. This project is funded with the Wild Spaces & Public Places half-cent sales tax. The WSPP sales tax, collected from January 2017 to December 2024, will continue to create, improve and maintain parks and recreational facilities, and acquire and improve environmentally-sensitive lands.
 
RSVPs are appreciated to allow us to arrange for seating and refreshments. To RSVP or for questions, please contact Sarit Sela at 352-393-8649 or selas@cityofgainesville.org.

Municipal Minutes is an electronic newsletter for the community. The monthly e-newsletter provides information about upcoming activities, projects and events in the City of Gainesville. For more information about this e-newsletter, please contact the Communications Office at 334-5017.

Gainesville will transform into a masterful blend of art, music and entertainment during the 37th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show, one of the nation’s premier outdoor fine arts festivals. Presented by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA), the festival draws a crowd of more than 80,000 visitors each year. On Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., visitors can meet the exhibiting artists, enjoy live music and sample international cuisine.

The Downtown Festival & Art Show, a nationally-recognized event, helps Gainesville get in touch with its creative side. Since 1996, it has ranked among the top festivals in the nation. Visitors embrace the culture of more than 240 of the nation’s most talented artists, who showcase their original oils and acrylics, vibrant watercolors, unique sculptures, dazzling jewelry, decorative ceramics and vivid photography. Artisans compete for more than $20,000 in cash prizes.

Municipal Minutes is an electronic newsletter for the community. The monthly e-newsletter provides information about upcoming activities, projects and events in the City of Gainesville. For more information about this e-newsletter, please contact the Communications Office at 334-5017.

Municipal Minutes is an electronic newsletter for the community. The monthly e-newsletter provides information about upcoming activities, projects and events in the City of Gainesville. For more information about this e-newsletter, please contact the Communications Office at 334-5017.

Municipal Minutes is an electronic newsletter for the community. The monthly e-newsletter provides information about upcoming activities, projects and events in the City of Gainesville. For more information about this e-newsletter, please contact the Communications Office at 334-5017.

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) draws another successful Summer Heatwave program to a close by featuring two great events. Several coed basketball championship games will be played Thursday, Aug. 2 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center (MLK) and a Back-to-School Pool Party will take place at Andrew R. Mickle Sr. Pool Sunday, Aug. 5.