Senior Emma Conde-Remonsellez will be one of 80 artists displaying her work at the ArtWorks Festival in the downtown Eau Gallie Arts District on Nov. 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Guests will have the opportunity to buy artwork and have a firsthand experience of seeing artists working with mixed media, including painting, drawing, sculpting, ceramics, photography, digital art and jewelry.

“I think art should be important to any student. I know at West Shore it’s not really stressed,” said Conde-Remonsellez, president of the school’s National Art Honor Society. “Just going to these art festivals, you can see what’s going on in your community, how art can be relevant even though it’s often ignored. Also, if you’re entering into these contests, it looks great on any application that you’re using later on in life.”

Along with the presentation of mixed-media arts, high-school artists and children’s participation activities will be located on St. Clair Street. Guests will also have access to a food court and live music in Eau Gallie’s Civic Center. No high school artists will be involved in competitions during this art festival, but ArtWorks will make contributions to the art programs of the high schools that participate in its showcases. Since West Shore artists began taking part in ArtWorks in 2005,  the total amount donated to the school’s art programs is $3,460.

“Every year I’m excited about ArtWorks,” said Sharon Dwyer, the past-president of the EGAD. “Going to art festivals has been one of my favorite things to do since I was a teenager.  I love to see the different examples of art; the different styles from traditional to contemporary; and the different shapes and colors. I also love to see how artists have been inspired by design, color combinations and subjects.”

According to Dwyer, Link Johnsten, the founder of ArtWorks of Eau Gallie, wanted the Art Festival to be on the same street as the Foosaner Art Museum. He established ArtWorks to help promote business in the downtown Eau Gallie. Dwyer encourages guests to visit the festival and become aware of the importance of the art that surrounds them.

“Johnsten wanted to have an art festival that would educate the public about how art is create,” she said. “ArtWorks is an opportunity to see how art comes together. What makes it unique is the emphasis on art demonstrations.”

By Monica Castellanos