Following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mandarin Art Festival will return on Easter weekend, April 16 and 17, following a more than half-century long tradition.
Held on the grounds of the Mandarin Community Club at 12447 Mandarin Road, the family-friendly event serves as the premier fundraiser of the non-profit, which has been identified as the oldest civic organization in Jacksonville, with proceeds supporting the club’s preservation, education and beautification efforts throughout the community.
Free parking and shuttle service is available from Albert Field at Orange Picker and Brady roads and at the Mandarin Masonic Lodge on Loretto Road. This is an outdoor, rain-or-shine event. Pets are not permitted. A $2 donation per person is requested at the gate.
The largest community event in Mandarin, the art festival has been an Easter tradition for generations of families. Over the years, tens of thousands of guests have strolled under the oaks of the historic Mandarin Community Club to peruse the artwork of more than 100 local and nationally known artists working in a variety of media. A juried fine art and fine craft show, awards will be given in the categories of functional fine craft, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture and best in show.
The Children’s Art Show will display the creations of talented students from area elementary and middle schools and is sponsored by Emily and Lawrence Lisska.
Other features include a Green Market of unique, locally sourced and made items, a bake sale with homemade goodies from the kitchens of club members, food vendors providing an array of cuisine and a chance drawing for items contributed by Mandarin-area businesses.
Live entertainment will be provided, and the historic, 100-year-old Post Office and General Store will be open and manned by the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society so that guests may stroll through its doors and back into history.
Festival Chair Susie Scott leads the all-volunteer Mandarin Art Festival planning committee. The festival is made possible, in part, due to support from VyStar Credit Union, Mari Terbrueggen, Watson Realty Corp. Mandarin North Office and State Farm Agent Jim Register.
For more information, go to mandarinartfestival.org or contact the festival at mandarinartfestival@gmail.com.
