Fifth annual Windermere Fine Art Show spotlights artists, performers

The brick roads in downtown Windermere will be lined with artwork by remarkable artists this weekend.

The fifth annual Windermere Fine Art Show takes place from Saturday, Feb. 29, to Sunday, March 1. 

Windermere Arts Chair Anne McDonough has once again curated a collection of artists and performers for the local festival.

“This is all to give back to the town of Windermere,” McDonough said.

Proceeds from the event will be going to L.T. Sipek, the son of Windermere Police Department police officer, Lori Sipek, in the form of a scholarship for the arts.

The boutique event will showcase 85 artists traveling from around the United States. Attendees can also expect live entertainment, food, wine/beer and performing arts in a festive atmosphere in Windermere.

McDonough said the festival requires a year of preparation, but this year has a new twist.

“We’re featuring more young artists and performers this year,” McDonough said.

One of the performers who will be featured in the festival is 13-year-old Ellie Jo Lovini. She moved with her parents to the United States from England five years ago.

She can sing, dance and act. In addition, she can play the guitar, the ukulele and the piano, as well as write songs.

Her favorite showtune is “On My Own” from the musical “Les Misérables.” 

Lovini had performed at one of McDonough’s events before, and she was discovered by an independent music producer in Windermere named Paul Mamounas.

“I’m gonna go far,” Lovini said. “I want to connect with people. I want to share my talent. This is all thanks to Windermere.” 

Buchanan Field, 15, is a high school freshman at The First Academy and one of the many artists featured at the festival. 

Her artwork includes a calligram — a picture made with words — of Sherlock Holmes. Field said her parents are excited about her artwork being featured at the festival and are supportive of her. 

“I’m very passionate about art,” Field said. “I find a lot of enjoyment in it.”

Born in Taiwan, Field was raised in an orphanage until she was adopted at the age of 5. That was when her parents brought her to the United States. 

Field said she’s not sure what she would like to do after finishing high school, but she does have one potential career in mind that could be a happy medium for her interests.

“I might want to be an engineer,” Field said. “I can put my creativity into it.”

A young woman of faith, Field said her favorite aspect of Christianity is the message of salvation, and she credits her talent to God.

“I know my skills are a God-given ability,” Field said. “Art comes very naturally to me, and it has become a huge part of my life.”