On the journey back from its summer season in New England, SeaFair- America’s Megayacht Venue- stopped in Morehead City, North Carolina to participate in the 25th Anniversary of the North Carolina Seafood Festival, which was recently voted the best event in the Southeast.
SeaFair partnered with the Arts Council of Carteret County, Downtown Morehead City Revitalization Association and the NC Seafood Festival organizers to present an exhibition of unique works from North Carolina artists as well as internationally renowned artists throughout the weekend.
ABOUT SEAFAIR
SeaFair is the world’s first mobile megayacht venue and one of the largest private yachts in the United States. Groundbreaking in scale, ingenuity and style, the innovative exhibition facility – which remains dockside during each event – pairs international fine art, jewelry and collectables with harbor view dining and special events in cities along the eastern seaboard.
The ship boasts three decks of international galleries, two outdoor bars, an international coffee bar, as well as a formal glass-walled restaurant and an open-air bistro on the Sky Deck.
The $40M purpose built exhibition yacht was designed by internationally acclaimed yacht designer Luiz de Basto. At 228 feet and 2,800 international tons, it is one of the largest ships built for commercial operation in the Intracoastal Waterway and requires a draft of only 6.5 feet, allowing it to dock at yacht facilities in central city locations rather than use commercial ports.
SeaFair is owned and operated by International Fine Art Expositions (IFAE). IFAE Principals, David and Lee Ann Lester have been in the art fair industry for over 20 years and have organized over 70 international art fairs in art capitals around the world including New York, Chicago, Hong Kong, and London. IFAE has pioneered the Florida market establishing the American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF) in 1997, now the premiere fine art fair in America, and Art Palm Beach in 1998, one of Florida’s most celebrated contemporary fairs. In addition, the firm founded Miami Florida’s original international art fair, Art Miami, in 1991. In 2011, IFAE launched two of the most successful fairs inaugurated that year, Naples International Art & Antique Fair (NIAAF) and Art Naples.
On the journey back from its summer season in New England, SeaFair- America’s Megayacht Venue- will be stopping in Morehead City, North Carolina to participate in the 25th Anniversary of the North Carolina Seafood Festival which was recently voted the best event in the Southeast. SeaFair will partner with the Arts Council of Carteret County, Downtown Morehead City Revitalization Association and the NC Seafood Festival organizers to present an exhibition of unique works from North Carolina artists as well as internationally renowned artists. A jury of art collectors, museum professionals and artists will select among the submissions to select the best artists to be represented aboard.
The 25th North Carolina Seafood Festival officially opens with a private preview on Thursday evening September 29th aboard SeaFair docked at Portside Marina.
SeaFair will host “ArtSplendor on SeaFair, A Fine Art Show & Sale” in the exhibition salons during the festival, a juried art exhibition sponsored by the Arts Council of Carteret County. Eighteen of the twenty eight gallery salons will be devoted to this juried exhibition of outstanding artists of North Carolina and the Southeast.
Sharon Kearns has been selected to exhibit in one of the ArtSpendor Galleries. She will display several new works for this special fine art show and sale.
In addition to the bevy of artworks onboard, the three-day festival will bring special artist demonstrations. Admission is $ 10 per person, $ 5 for children under 10 years old and Priority Boarding tickets $15. Separate Sky deck access for the Saturday fireworks display – limited tickets available for $15. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.expoships.com. SeaFair will be centrally located in full view of the N.C. Seafood Festival’s firework display on Saturday night. SeaFair’s Sky Deck – rising 60 feet above the water – is always a spectacular platform to view waterside fireworks events.
In the evening, attendees can enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views from the sky deck paired with live music and unique seafood selections. The Sky Deck bar will present a wide selection of beers, a unique selection of wines as well as lively performances by Flair bartenders.
The Arts Council of Carteret County will hold “Art & Jazz at Sunset,” a cocktail party and private viewing of the exhibition on Sunday, October 2nd from 6:30-10pm. Tickets are $75 per person. This fundraiser will benefit the arts council (a 501(c) 3 non profit organization) and will feature full access to the yacht and all art galleries, fine hors d’oeuvres prepared by a popular local caterer, open bars and live vocal and keyboard jazz by world renowned performer Grenoldo Frazier. For more information: Visit ACCC’s website at www.artscouncilcarteret.org, email artscarteret@yahoo.com or call 252.659.0253. Tickets are limited, and must be purchased by Sept. 22.
ABOUT SEAFAIR
SeaFair is the world’s first mobile megayacht venue and one of the largest private yachts in the United States. Groundbreaking in scale, ingenuity and style, the innovative exhibition facility – which remains dockside during each event – pairs international fine art, jewelry and collectables with harbor view dining and special events in cities along the eastern seaboard.
The ship boasts three decks of international galleries, two outdoor bars, an international coffee bar, as well as a formal glass-walled restaurant and an open-air bistro on the Sky Deck.
The $40M purpose built exhibition yacht was designed by internationally acclaimed yacht designer Luiz de Basto. At 228 feet and 2,800 international tons, it is one of the largest ships built
for commercial operation in the Intracoastal Waterway and requires a draft of only 6.5 feet, allowing it to dock at yacht facilities in central city locations rather than use commercial ports.
Learn more about SeaFair on CNBC!
SeaFair is owned and operated by International Fine Art Expositions (IFAE). IFAE Principals, David and Lee Ann Lester have been in the art fair industry for over 20 years and have organized over 70 international art fairs in art capitals around the world including New York, Chicago, Hong Kong, and London. IFAE has pioneered the Florida market establishing the American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF) in 1997, now the premiere fine art fair in America, and Art Palm Beach in 1998, one of Florida’s most celebrated contemporary fairs. In addition, the firm founded Miami Florida’s original international art fair, Art Miami, in 1991. In 2011, IFAE launched two of the most successful fairs inaugurated that year, Naples International Art & Antique Fair (NIAAF) and Art Naples.
SeaFair will be docked at Portside Marina, 209 Arendell Street, Morehead City. The ship will be open Friday, September 30th from noon – 10pm, Saturday, October 1st from 10am – 10pm, and Sunday, October 2nd from 11am – 5pm. Dinner service in the glass walled dining room overlooking the harbor will be available by reservation. Lunch and full bar service will be served on the Sky Deck 360 Bar and Luxe Lounge on the second outside deck. For more information on SeaFair and to acquire advance tickets, please visit www.expoships.com.
For more information on the “Art Splendor” exhibition and for ticket information about the “Art & Jazz at Sunset” cocktail party please contact the Arts Council of Carteret County, www.artscouncilcarteret.org/.
Good Morning 24″ x 36″Acrylic on Gallery-Wrapped Canvas
Fascinating light and shadows peaked my interest on the waterfront behind Tony’s Restaurant on the Morehead City Waterfront one morning some months ago.
First day’s light emerges strikingly through an opening in the sleepy, morning clouds – filled with blues and turquoises from the evening’s slumber. Bright white light beams down to the sailboat, illuminating it and making it glow as the new day awakens. The sunlight radiates all the way through the railing, bikes… to the windows and wall. The light is so intense that it bounces off the windows and wall with an incandescent glow that further illuminates and creates additional shadows on the facing railing where the sailboat is docked.
The scene was indeed a mesmerizing view to behold…
Webster’s Dictionary sites a fitting definition for the word, “glow” - “to experience a feeling of well-being or satisfaction.”
So yes…. it was indeed a “good morning!” on the waterfront!
Available: Arts & Things Gallery, Morehead City, North Carolina
A few thoughts from the N.C. Seafood Festival in Morehead City, October 1-3, 2010
24th Annual Grand Opening Ceremonies
A few thoughts…
I am so very proud to have been named the 2010 North Carolina Seafood Poster Artist. I have followed the many wonderful N.C. artists who have been awarded this special accolade ever since Alan Cheek became the first NCSF Poster Artist 24 years ago.
Alan Cheek is my hero, a “distinction” he does not know about. Alan will always be one of the great North Carolina artists in my book. I will never forget the first time I saw his painting, Old Port Town, – a dramatic, colorful and picturesque port town view of Beaufort, North Carolina. After seeing that painting, I was hooked and followed everything Alan painted through the years, including the first NCSF poster in 1987. Once Alan was bestowed the NCSF award, I also started paying attention to all the artists that were named festival’s Poster Artist each year.
About six years ago, I stopped into Downeast Gallery, Alan’s gallery in Beaufort, N.C. Although I was painting professionally at the time, and had my work in area galleries, I still could not bring myself to tell him that I was also an artist, a collector of his artwork, and that he had inspired me so much with his incredible work over the years. We chatted about his art and I learned a little about him. I found him to be quite kind and open about his artwork and personal journey over the years.
I returned to Alan’s gallery this past spring. This time, I wanted to introduce myself as this year’s NCSF poster artist… and thank him for the unknown impact he made on my professional career. But the Downeast Gallery had closed or relocated and I was unable to find him. I hope I will one day have the opportunity to thank him for being such an inspiration to me. Check out Alan Cheek’s work on the Web: http://www.alancheek.com
I owe Jim Storholt (2005 and 2009 NCSF Poster Artist) and his wife a huge “thank-you” for giving me advice about the NCSF. I do not do many outdoor shows, and they were extremely helpful with some tips for this year’s festival booth. Check out Jim’s Web Site: http://www.coastaloriginals.com
Artist, Mary Warshaw, has also been so kind to publicize my poster signings and shows on her many wonderful blogs. Take a few minutes and walk with her through Historic Beaufort: http://marywarshaw.blogspot.com/ She is a beautiful writer and artist!
At this year’s festival, I had the pleasure of having a booth beside Walter Creech, the 2007 NCSF Poster Artist. It was nice to learn more about him and his work over the years! Learn more about Walter on the Web: http://www.waltercreech.com/
Lou and Porter Wilson at Arts & Things Gallery in Morehead City, http://www.arts-things.com/ , have also offered help to me – way beyond the call of duty! They held a poster signing at their gallery in April, and offered invaluable support before, during and after the festival weekend… (and made new prints for my festival booth every time a print sold!) If you are interested in getting your NCSF poster framed, give them a call.
Thanks, too, to Raymond Voelpel at Tidewater Gallery in Swansboro. Ray also held a NCSF Poster Signing in his gallery, which ultimately inspired my new series, “Clyde Phillips Seafood Market.” The “Clyde Phillips Seafood Market” series is still on display at Tidewater Gallery along with new prints from the series! http://tidewatergalleryswansboro.blogspot.com/
A special “thanks” goes to the North Carolina Seafood Festival – staff (Stephanie and Carol!) and Board of Directors; the Mayor and Town of Morehead City; my family (who traveled and worked tirelessly for over a week!!!!); friends (that traveled so far!); and all my many old and new patrons!
Thanks to all of you for making this such a special time!
Favorite place? Special scene? Beloved photograph? – Click ART COMMISSIONS in the top menu for more information as well as examples of commissioned work.
"Today's Catch" 2010 North Carolina Seafood Festival poster by Sharon Kearns can be purchased by calling the North Carolina Seafood Festival office: 252-726-6273 or visiting www.ncseafoodfestival.org
"Today's Catch" was voted the 2010 Best Festival Poster at Carolina ShowFest 2011!
