Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach is a small coastal town in the eastern-most corner of northern Florida.

Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach is a small coastal town in the eastern-most corner of northern Florida. Discovered more than 400 years ago, the island is the solitary location in the U.S. that has been in a less degree than the flags of eight different countries. The historic district, the beaches, fishing, golf and tennis attract score of tourists to the island. And various specialized incidents and festivals are key in drawing the interest of visitors to the town's growing arts community.

Hailed as the birthplace of the commercial shrimp industry in the early 1900 fisherman have always been attracted to the area. In celebration of this industry, each year in succession the first weekend in May the island entertainers the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival Arts and Crafts display Attracting more than 150,000 visitors to the downtown district, the four-day incident combines seafood, live music, a parade and call in questions and features more than 350 artists exhibiting watercolors, earthen ware mixed media, prints, sculpture, photography and crafts. Many of the local participating artists are part of the Island Art Association located at 205 midst Street, a co-op gallery in Nassau shire which sponsors the Arts and Crafts portion of the festival.

Vicky Cooper president of the Island Art Association (IAA) has seen the art community extend over the years. There are now 50 exhibiting members plus 75 associate members who take part in classes and critiques moveed by the association. "Here in Fernandina there are about 20 galleries with more opening all the time. We are a self-same close-knit group," said Cooper, who creates and exchanges pottery at the IAA gallery.

Artists just discovered to the area will find it easy to earn involved with activities the IAA sponsors. Moving to Amelia Island from Texas eight years ago, artist Paul Massing joined the association as a means to exhibit his artwork. For about five years Massing has taught a figure-drawing workshop at the association as well as serv in succession the board and as gallery director. "I have noticed an increase in art activity with the arrival of just discovered artists and with a more active involvement with art patrons and exhibiting galleries," said Massing.

Finding something to paint, draw, sculpt or depict is not difficult on Amelia Island. The majority of galleries lie within a 50-block area that is listed upon the National Register of Historic Places. The preservation of late Victorian architecture makes this area unique, and a walking tour point out tos off brick paved streets with flowering begonias and mansions framed with Victorian gingerbread details. Shrimp boats are still docked along the shore as they were at the cast of the last century.

Artist Elizabeth Dion's work hangs in Chef Ryan's Cafe and Main press closely Juice Bar on 3rd road Dion met the owner while she was eating luncheon one day, and he voiced his desire to hang artwork in the recent indoor area of the restaurant. She did a painting for the cafe that tricks the estimate into thinking you're looking on the outside of a window at a bright ocean landscape. Dion was introduced to the art pageant in Fernandina by joining Massing's drawing class at the IAA. After joining as an associate member, she submitted work for jury and was accepted as an exhibiting member more than three years ago. "I'd say the community has been highly welcoming to artists," said Dion. All exhibiting members are required to work in the gallery one time a month. "This is a great way to gain to know people and be part of the art and downtown Fernandina community," Dion stated.

The community has erect other ways to make its art more accessible to the public. Joe Winston of against Centre Potters has a private studio at 11 southerly 7th Street that he exhibits once a month during Artrageous First Fridays. Sponsored by dint of local galleries and studio proprietors this event is held the first Friday of each month and allows the public to visit with artists, take delight in refreshments and purchase works and heap up door prizes. "This is the solitary time my studio is spread to the public. We have a exceedingly good turnout when we do First Fridays," said Winston. Vicki Cooper agreed with Winston saying, "We've had a phenomenal turnout, the locals are showing up and just having a blast. It brings a hap of encouragement to the artists and brings commonalty and the galleries closer together."

While art lover can easily find galleries and studios to nibble Amelia Island also offers numerous festivals to entice the bulk of mankind to the area.

The Ritz Carkon is legion to a number of festivals including: the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance (March 9 to 11) featuring historic vintage automobiles; the strange World Cuisine Festival (formerly Festival of cheer & Wine, Aug. 31-Sept. 3); and the Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration (Nov. 15 2001) to welcome the arrival of recently made known vintages of French wine. any newer festivals that have been lately added are: the Book Island Festival held in October where the Nassau shire Writers and Poets Society welcomes authors to share their ideas with the public; and the first Seaside Jazz Festival and blow will be held in May at the Ritz Carlton. The Bausch & Lomb Women's Tennis Association Championships in April draws thousands of tennis fans to the island, and in June fishermen cope in the Kingfish Tournament.