The festival, created by Gillian Fazio and Katerina Santos, hopes to make contemporary art accessible to everyone and create meaningful opportunities for community connection.
“What we’re trying to do here is make people want to spend more time in our local businesses, buy a coffee, walk the walls, and spend time in our local community,” said Fazio, a born and raised Lakelander. “We’re excited to contribute to our local economy in that way.”
438 artists from 33 states and 21 countries applied to participate in Color Wave. A panel of community leaders selected the inaugural roster, who will each design and paint a mural, free of charge.
Artists began arriving in Lakeland on Nov. 4, the painting and official activities begin on Friday, Nov. 6, and Lakelanders can participate in the community mural on Saturday, Nov. 7, during the Downtown Farmers Curb Market. More event details can be found on Color Wave’s social media.
Why not Lakeland?
Growing up, Fazio had doubts about art as a viable career path in Lakeland. Now, her hope is to support artists through festivals like Color Wave, a move that she believes will inspire confidence that creative careers can be built locally…