JUPITER, Fla. — ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival is known for its eclectic juried art that represents quintessential Northern Palm Beach County. From the Jupiter lighthouse to sea turtles, to textured palm trees.
To other more eccentric pieces like Clay Bush's handbags and backpacks made out of car parts. "Each strip is a seat belt, and the pockets inside the bag... this is airbag material," says Bush.
"[ArtiGras has] been here 35 years now," says Brian Cottrell. If you look a little deeper at the festival volunteers you'll find his love story as well. Brian and his wife Barbara met on a blind date in Jupiter and started volunteering a few years later.
"I mean [ArtiGras] is largely done by volunteers and they are all here for the same reason. For the love of the event and the community," says Barbara.
In the past 30 years they've been volunteering they've seen a lot of changes to ArtiGras. Like the type of art offered, to the event being moved from the North Palm Beach Country Club, to advances in technology on how the artists are judged.
"Well we went from hard copy [scoring sheet] to electronic which has made it so much easier to administrator and run."
Walking miles together each day of the festival, the emeritus chairs hold hands as they troubleshoot minor issues like iPads not working.
This Valentine's Day weekend, their love of art, the community and each other are on display.
New this year, ArtiGras is only running Saturday and Sunday. ArtiGras won't be held on Monday, President's Day, mainly due to the fact that school is back in session.
