More than 50,000 arts lovers will gather in beautiful New Smyrna Beach from January 26 – 28 to celebrate and support the 48th year of IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts. Hosted by the Atlantic Center for the Arts, this beloved family-friendly event is considered one of the top juried outdoor art shows in the Southeast, with more than 225 artists from dozens of states and Canada expected to participate.
Located along Riverside Drive, historic Canal Street and the picturesque Riverside Park, this year’s free public art festival invites residents and visitors to enjoy the work of artists in all mediums, including photography, ceramics, metalwork, visual art and more.
In addition to displaying their work and interacting with attendees, the artists are part of a competition for distinguished awards from IMAGES organizers and judges.The festival also offers an immersive program featuring live demonstrations, musical acts, children’s art activities, and a wide array of food and beverage offerings.
There are also contributions from local student communities, with art exhibits and student bands showcasing the next generation of NSB artists. For those planning to bring the little ones along, Atlantic Center for the Arts hosts a Creative Education Area with fun art activities and hands-on projects. Music lovers will appreciate the daily lineup of performers at the Main Stage.
New Smyrna Beach has long supported and welcomed interest in its ever-growing arts scene, earning the rank among the “100 Best Small Arts Towns in America” for good reason. IMAGES was first hosted in 1977 as a way to catalyze support for the arts in the area, and its mission as a registered charity continues to give back to the creative community today. In 2023, the event was recognized as #18 in Sunshine Artis’s Best Fine Art Shows in the country.
When visiting the New Smyrna Beach Area, travelers can plan a visit to this signature event by checking out some of NSB’s accommodations close to all the action, including B&Bs like Black Dolphin Inn and Victoria 1883 or the oceanfront Salty Mermaid. Also available are plenty of family-friendly condos and hotels, like SpringHill Suites, located beachside right on Flagler Avenue. For more information about planning a trip to this year’s IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts, please visit www.visitnsbfl.com.
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About the New Smyrna Beach Area
The New Smyrna Beach area includes the communities of New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Oak Hill, Osteen and Port Orange in east Central Florida. New Smyrna Beach is an eclectic mix of old and new; of subtle sophistication and bohemian soul that is as “real” as Florida gets. It occupies a notable place in history as the second oldest city in Florida, site of the largest single attempt at British colonization in the new world. The city’s barrier island is recognized worldwide for its incredible surf with Surfer magazine recently touting it one of the “Best Surf Towns in America” and National Geographic magazine including it in its “World’s Top 20 Surf Towns.”
Accommodations range from charming bed and breakfast inns to family-size condominium units and oceanfront hotels. Natural attractions include 17 miles of sandy beaches from Ponce de Leon Inlet to Canaveral National Seashore and North America’s most diverse estuary – the Indian River Lagoon.
Two distinct downtowns along Flagler Avenue and Canal Street and connected via the Waterfront Loop welcome visitors with independent restaurants, unique shops, artisanal coffee shops and art galleries.
For more information, please visit www.VisitNSBfl.com or call 386-428-1600. Follow @NewSmyrnaBeach1 on Twitter, Facebook.com/