Efest Announces Winners of 2008 Eco-Art Contest

Lindow, Rio, Wolfe, Cioffi, Gormley, Velikan, and Botschner Win Awards at Efest 2008 Eco-Art Contest


With 50 exquisite entries to choose from in Efest 2008’s Eco-Art Contest, the public – and the judges – were hard pressed to select just one. This year’s entrants ranged in age from five to 84 and were comprised of amateurs and professionals, students and art groups. Assemblage artist Richard Hinger provided the Eco-Art Contest with its “Trash to Treasure” young woman that graced the entrance to the exhibit.

The three main-prize winners are: for Individual Entry, Stig Lindow and “Oscar,” a fish made from metal parts from 1950s garage doors; for Group Entry, submitted by Harmony Rio, Kelly Wolfe, and Janet Wolfe, “Reconstructing a Sleeping Venus;” and for People’s Choice, “Discover Nature – Play Outside” by nature photographer Kelly Cioffi.

Honorable mentions this year go to: Michael Gormley with “35 Hours with a Downed Citrus Canker;” K a r e n a V e - likan’s “Goddess;” and last year’s People’s Choice winner, Carla Botschner with “Faerie Dress,” created with used dryer sheets and lint. Prize sponsors this year include: Pro-Motion Notions, Stephanie Heidemann, Catherine Seress, Whole Foods, Local Coffee + Tea, LolaBlueLiving, Sunny Day Soap, Juno & Jove, Frumples, and D. G. Dart.

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VESPA WINNER

Bernie Gottschalk of Sarasota won the LX50 Vespa at Efest. Bernie is an executive with Sarasota and Her Islands Convention & Visitors Bureau. Bernie is originally from Michigan and Massachusetts. She moved to Sarasota in 1973 after a vacation.

"Efest offers our community and all of Southwest Florida a wonderful opportunity to interact with professionals in the green living community," she said. "Kudos to everyone involved with Efest".

Efest 2008 Was a Success!

THANK YOU EVERYONE

Thank you for attending Efest. We had more than 25,000 visitors of all ages from throughout the region and beyond. We met visitors from communities throughout Florida and other cities around the U.S. including Atlanta, Chicago, and Boston. We even met a gentleman from China who was in the area as part of a cultural arts visit. Another visitor from Hawaii told us that he plans to create a similar event in his home state. Efest touches thousands of lives with helpful information and inspiration.

A few of our accomplishments related to sustainability included removing more than 90 percent of our waste and recyclables within two hours of the event concluding. Efest was powered by biodiesel and most of our signs were made of recycled material. We want to thank all of the dedicated individuals and organizations that worked together to make Efest special. This includes our sponsors, exhibitors, entertainers, speakers, artists, volunteers, and vendors. A special thank you to our volunteer coordinators who honored our theme of "All Shades Green" with their can do spirit and goodwill.

Please complete our online survey to help us improve Efest. Details about Efest 2009 will be posted soon. You can also sign up for our Efest Eco-Newsletter to stay informed about other eco-friendly events and initiatives. Efest is a 501c3 non-profit organization that depends on financial and volunteer support. Please give generously and thank you for encouraging positive change in your community.

Sincerely,
Randy Moore
Executive Director



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4 DAYS FOR EFEST

We are almost there. Don't forget to bring your friends, family, kids, and pets. We have everything for a great family weekend. RAIN OR SHINE. We are open.

Raffles, food, music, etc. Check our poster and spread the word.

Efest 2008 New Poster

Efest Posters has arrived.
You can stop by the Efest office (1910 Robinhood Hood, Sarasota, FL) to pick up posters and start promoting Efest.

Efest Trash to Treasures Eco-Art Contest POSTER

Want to participate in our Eco-Art Contest?

The Efest Trash to Treasures Eco–Art Contest is an exciting and unique opportunity to have fun while promoting environmental awareness. The Efest Eco–Art Contest is an opportunity for artists and art organizations to inspire people about the potential of recycling and conservation, said Catherine Seress, one of the Eco-Art Contest coordinators for Efest 2008. The other coordinators include Rick Hughes with AnythingArts.com and Jesse White with Sarasota Architectural Salvage.

Just visit us at Eco-Art Contest Link and download the FORM and get register NOW!

Efest Trash to Treasures Eco-Art Contest

Want to participate in our Eco-Art Contest?

The Efest Trash to Treasures Eco–Art Contest is an exciting and unique opportunity to have fun while promoting environmental awareness. The Efest Eco–Art Contest is an opportunity for artists and art organizations to inspire people about the potential of recycling and conservation, said Catherine Seress, one of the Eco-Art Contest coordinators for Efest 2008. The other coordinators include Rick Hughes with AnythingArts.com and Jesse White with Sarasota Architectural Salvage.

Just visit us at Eco-Art Contest Link and download the FORM and get register NOW!

To learn more about last year winners please read our article.

Efest Green Team : WELCOME

Thank you to the exceptional individuals helping to produce Efest 2008.

Efest is a volunteer-inspired 501c3 non-profit organization.
Members of the Efest Green Team include (presented in random order): Amara Cocilovo (South Florida Museum), Heidi Allwood (Little Bookworms Bookstore), Bryan Moore (Positive Change Media), Paige Long (Safescapes Landcare), Nikki Heil (Whole Foods Market), Lee Randall (Positive Change Media), Catherine Seress (Author), Jesse White (Sarasota Architectural Salvage), Rick Hughes (AnythingArts.com), Laura Gale (Everything But The Girl), Monica Eshkoli (Freaky Tiki Surf Shack), Randy Moore (Positive Change Media), Thierry Rouillard (Local Coffee & Tea), Cheryl Mooney, Mark Zampella (MNX Ventures and Positive Change Media), Jake Keiser (Keiser & Company), (PurpledCreative), Craig Hancock (Balance Fitness), Elise Lipoff, Mike Sales (Professional DJ), Michael Henshaw (LexJet), Carissa Warfield (Silver Studio), Holli Schleicher (Professional Photographer and Michael Saunders Real Estate), Ellie Parnes (Positive Change Media), Karen Reynolds (Unicare Systems), Sheryl Rosen (Comcast), Sandy Ritchie (Tax Consultant), Kathy Keh (Professional Consultant), Gaye Hukel (Carlson Studio Architecture), Roger Landry (Building Energy Solutions), Jacque Rene Marion (Real Estate Professional), Kim Hale (Sporting Good Sales), Anya Nadal (Professional Artist), Kim Miele (Professional Events Coordinator), and Debbie Moran (BodyTalk Practitioner).

OPENING AVAILABLE:

Efest has additional needs for volunteer coordinators.
This is a great way to make new friends while supporting a fun and meaningful community event. Please email Randy Moore at randy@efest.us.

Alternative Vehicles - Present a display of new and modified alternative vehicles.

Exhibitor Support - Manage a team of volunteers supporting Efest exhibitors.

Horticulture Tent - Recruit organizations focused on native plants and sustainable landscaping.

Non-Profit Outreach - Build bridges with select non-profits focused on the environment and personal wellness.

Poster Distribution - Manage a team of volunteers distributing Efest posters throughout the region.

Private School Outreach - Build bridges and recruit volunteers.

Public School Outreach - Build bridges and recruit volunteers.

Raffles & Donations - Manage a team of volunteers selling tickets for donated gift items.

Signage Support - Liaison with the Efest sign sponsor.

Efest Announces Winners of 2007 Eco-Art Contest

Efest 2007’s Eco-Art Contest, “Trash to Treasure,”
yielded 20 outstanding entries for judging, both by the Efest
team and by the public. The youngest entrant of the contest was only six
years old. Two local schools, Bay Haven and New
Gate, also produced some wonderful entries.

And “wonderful,” “outstanding,” “striking,”
“amazing” were all expressions used by everyone
who visited the displays. “It’s important to say
thank you to all the entrants, for their boldness in stepping
forward with their entries,” said Catherine Seress,
Efest’s Eco-Art coordinator.

Prizes were donated by Del Harley (“Change,
A Starter Kit”), Mister Landscaper, (micro-sprinkler system),
and Pro-Motion Notions of Sarasota (crystal Efest 2007 illuminated cubes).
A special thanks goes to D. A. Gordon Dart, whose “recyclable
reptile receptacles” proved so popular with visitors
that they were taken during the day.

The winner for the People’s Choice Award was
“Poo,” an ostrich crotcheted of plastic shopping
bags by Carla Botshnor. It delighted both because
of its whimsy, but also the obvious time and skill it
took to compose the piece.

The Individual Entry Winner was for “Rebirth,”
the silhouette of a pregnant woman, impregnated
with seed on clay, by Aaron Cratty. The
structure of the silhouette was created using
labels from a variety of otherwise discarded
baby products.

The Group Entry Winner was “Window into the
Past” by the Old Braden River Historical Society.
The group regularly cleans up the Braden River
and this year composed a piece – a doorway
(which had also been found) covered in various
artifacts, discarded items, empty snail shells, and
one alligator skull.

An Honorable Mention was given to Cheryl
Murphy for her whimsical crab, which especially
got the attention of the children coming into
the tent.

“All of the entries were truly wonderful, and we
appreciate the time, thought, and creativity that
was required for each entry,” said John Poundstone,
Deputy Art Coordinator for Efest.

Already several of the artists were talking about
next year’s entries, with others who did not enter
this year saying they would for 2008. Of course,
the most important aspect is that everyone
had fun!




Photos by PM Exposure and Holli Bonito

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by writing your comments in our Green Blog.

Thank You Everyone :: EFEST was amazing.

More than 17,000 people attended Efest 2007 on November 17 at the Sarasota Polo Grounds in Lakewood Ranch. We are grateful to our sponsors, exhibitors, vendors, volunteers, expert speakers, musicians, and all of the visitors who attended. Efest is about education, entertainment and eco-commerce. Working together, we are all part of the postive change that supports our environment while strengthening our economy.

Efest 2008 is set for November 15-16 in Lakewood Ranch. We are expanding to two-days and we will enhance our activities and programs to make Efest even more appealing to residents and visitors of all ages. We will also promote Efest throughout Florida and beyond. Please visit our website in late January to learn about the sponsor and exhibitor opportunities for Efest 2008. We encourage sponsors and exhibitors to register early.

Congratulations to everyone who helped make Efest 2007 an important and fun community event for our growing region.

Sincerely,
Randy Moore
Executive Director