This weekend, The Boca Raton Museum of Art will host one of South Florida’s largest
art festivals in Mizner Park. The 37th annual Museum Art Festival boasts approximately
170 artists and artisans from across the country, showcasing a variety of mediums
including drawing, painting, mixed media, photography, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture,
wood, glass, and fiber. Each year, Mizner Park comes to life as over 40,000 art buyers
and enthusiasts flock to Boca for this can’t-miss event. Whether you’re an avid art
collector or simply looking for a fun weekend plan, the Museum Art Festival won’t
disappoint.
The festival is also a juried art competition with over $12,000 in awards. Boca Raton
Directory reached out to last year’s winning artists to give readers an inside look at
some of the award-winning art that event-goers can see and purchase this weekend.
Nathalie Ramirez
Nathalie Ramirez is a South Florida-based artist who works primarily in acrylic and mixed media. Her work focuses on the relationship between intuition and creating shapes and layers. She utilizes color, texture, and organic shapes to capture the essence of nature, creating stunning abstract reflections of the world as she perceives it. She applies a variety of unique techniques such as collage, texturized paints, and palette knives, allowing each piece to evolve through “delicate movements of chance and control.” She aims to impart a feeling of peace and serenity upon the viewer.
What inspires you as an artist?
Nature definitely serves as a source of inspiration for my work. I am especially drawn to
the world around me, whether it's the blending colors of a sunset or the intricate textures
of rocks. I aspire to translate that into my work by adding texture, selecting color, and
designing organic shapes inspired by both Earth and the cosmos.
What's your favorite part about the Boca Raton Museum Art Festival?
I appreciate the thoughtful care and support provided to artists at the Boca Raton
Museum Art Festival. The festival exudes positive energy and a welcoming atmosphere.
I also admire the curated selection of artists showcased at the event. I love that this
event provides me with the opportunity to connect with fellow artists and art enthusiasts.
Do you have any specific pieces you're excited to showcase at the festival?
Absolutely! I’m most excited to showcase my newest piece. It’s called “Harvest”
because of the colors and the design. It began as an experimental piece; I used new
techniques and approaches that I will definitely be using in the future.
Armando Colls
Armando Colls is a South Florida-based fine arts photographer. Though it may seem
like he’s been behind the lens his entire life, he is actually a mechanical contractor by
day and only discovered his passion (and gift) for photography while borrowing a
friend’s camera in 2011. His career has taken off rapidly, as he is now an award-winning
photographer with his work featured in some of South Florida’s finest establishments. In
addition to beautifully capturing South Florida’s natural landscape, he recently had the
opportunity to showcase his parents’ hometown of Cuba, a collection he holds dearly in
his heart. He has shared with Boca Raton Directory an inside look at his latest work,
taken from his experience hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain, which will be
featured at the Museum Art Festival this weekend.
What inspires you as an artist?
I see beauty and peace all around us; nature is amazing if you just stop and watch…..
What's your favorite part about the Boca Raton Museum Art Festival?
The location is spectacular as is the team that puts it together; I am honored to have
been invited back this year.
Do you have any specific pieces you're excited to showcase at the festival?
I recently returned from a 120 mile walk across parts of Spain ( I will include the link to
my blog while there). I am featuring “Spanish Waves” which I photographed while on my
walk.
You can view his blog here:
https://www.collsfineartphotography.com/El-Camino-de-Santiago-Blog
Wiwat Kamolpornwijit
Wiwat Kamolpornwijit is a jewelry artist who works primarily with polymer clay, sterling
silver, and stainless steel. He sculpts all of his pieces by hand to create beautiful,
unique “wearable sculptures.” His process starts with a point of inspiration taken from
the world around him and encompasses a variety of techniques including caning,
engraving, weaving, and layering, to create organic forms within a contemporary frame.
What inspires you as an artist?
I got inspired by unique lines and shapes, either in nature or manmade structures. They
trigger the urge to create something unique of my own.
What's your favorite part about the Boca Raton Museum Art Festival?
People who come to the art festival. They are appreciative of the creative process and
the artwork.
Do you have any specific pieces you're excited to showcase at the festival?
I'm bringing a new line of work which incorporates the use of titanium wires. I love that
the wire illusively adds another dimension and volume to the polymer work.
Hernan Rodriguez
Originally from Güines, Cuba, Hernan Rodriguez is a contemporary landscape painter
currently based in Miami. He works primarily in oil, utilizing intense pigmentation to
create his own unique spin on the style of traditional realism. Though it may be hard to
believe while looking at his picturesque landscapes, Rodriguez is a self-taught artist. He
began by painting the countryside of his hometown in Cuba, but since moving to Miami,
he has begun taking inspiration from South Florida’s natural landscape as well. His work
seeks to invite us into his world and portray the constant reflection between man and
earth.
What inspires you as an artist?
As an artist, every single detail of nature inspires me.
What's your favorite part about the Boca Raton Museum Art Festival?
I love the beautiful location next to the Boca Museum and the kindness of the team of
organizers.
Do you have any specific pieces you're excited to showcase at the festival?
I’m excited to show some of the new paintings from the Florida shores.
These are just a few of the 170 talented artists whose work you can see and purchase
at the Museum Art Festival this weekend. The festival also features local restaurants,
food trucks, and a food event in the Mizner Park Amphitheater. The event will take place
on Saturday, February 3rd, and Sunday, February 4th, from 10 AM to 5 PM in Mizner
Park.
JJ Johansen
Originally from Denmark but now based in the US, JJ Johansen is the talented and
humorous artist behind Tiny People Big Laughs. Johansen’s pieces are as witty as they
are eye-catching, cleverly portraying idioms and plays on words using small figurines
and everyday objects. Johansen originally wanted to make fun drawings inspired by
puns and phrases, but he had an epiphany when he discovered old figurines from his
childhood in the garage. He felt that with the figurines, he could express his ideas more
spontaneously and vibrantly. With striking compositions and bold use of color, he’s
created a stand-out style. His goal is to make viewers smile, or even better, laugh, so if
you’re in need of a good laugh, be sure to stop by his booth this weekend!
What inspires you as an artist?
The happy moment when (viewers) look at my paintings.
What's your favorite part about the Boca Raton Museum Art Festival?
The response from patrons is lovely. It’s one of my best shows of the year. I’m very
much looking forward to it. I have a lot of great conversations with people.
Do you have any specific pieces you're excited to showcase at the festival?
“Getting Ducks in a Row.” It’s one of my newest pieces, and it’s really popular. It kind of
has a water theme if you’d like, a beach theme.
These are just a few of the 170 talented artists whose work you can see and purchase
at the Museum Art Festival this weekend. The festival also features local restaurants,
food trucks, and a food event in the Mizner Park Amphitheater. The event will take place
on Saturday, February 3rd, and Sunday, February 4th, from 10 AM to 5 PM in Mizner
Park.