International Invited Artist

In 1999, the International Invited Artist program was first introduced with Mr. Tadishiro Fukui, a master woodblock artist from Pensacola's Sister City of Hagiwara, Japan exhibiting at the festival.

Since then, the International Invited Artist has become a mainstay of the Festival. Many of the artists have come from Pensacola Sister Cities.

In 2000, Mr. Mario Parra, a sculptor and his wife, Elizabeth Thompson, a textile artist visited from another Pensacola Sister City, Escazu, Costa Rica. 2001 saw another Sister City artist, Luz Becerra from Miraflores, Peru. Ms. Beccerra works in leather.

In 2002, we had a ceramic artist from Xalapa, Mexico, Ms. Leonor Anaya. Our 2003 International Artists were another husband and wife team, Mr. and Mrs. Lin Shin-Hui from our Sister City of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

In 2007, textile artist Zenon Cirilo Pumayalli Quispe from Chinchero, Peru, in the Andes Mountains was featured at the Festival.

The 2009 International Artist was Joan Bailey, an artist from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The 2011 GGAF International Invited Artist was Andrea Spinelli, a painter from Florence Italy. He was kind enough to share his experiences at the Festival:

I first heard about the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival through my friend, Tamara Mitchell. In earnest, I filled out the online application form provided on the GGAF website. As an Italian professional artist, I forwarded my website, curriculum, references and informed the International Artist Committee on where and how I sold my paintings.

After a few months, I received an e-mail from the GGAF in which they told me that they liked my work and that I had been formally chosen as the International Invited Artist for 2011. I was also offered an allowance of $1,000 for the airplane ticket, plus hotel accommodations, local transportation and some meals.

I was very happy to learn the good news, and soon after I started painting new pieces toward that end, the trip to America!

During the first few days, I was introduced to students of local schools where I presented my art, gave practical examples of fresco painting , and spoke about the culture of my country. I was so pleased to find an audience so interested in my artwork and painting machines.

Later in the week, I helped mount my booth at the Arts Festival and attended it for the duration of the show with the help of organized volunteers. My artwork was very well received. I sold several paintings, and met many people who had been to Florence and wanted to share about their pleasant experiences in Italy.

I also gave television interviews, and had the honor of receiving a welcome certificate by the Mayor of Pensacola along with a silver medal as a symbol of friendship from the city.

During my stay in Pensacola, Julie, who was in charge of our well-being, drove me and my wife around to visit numerous historical sites, galleries, museums and other places of interest in the area. We enjoyed some excellent meals with wonderful friends and were invited to several fun parties.

Once back in Florence, it took us days to recover from the pain of back-to-home depression... Thank you Pensacola for the hospitality you showed me and my wife, and for this unforgettable experience.