A long-standing art festival raised thousands of dollars to help fight chronic hunger in Tampa Bay communities.

Art Harvest started 57 years ago as a sidewalk festival, but today it’s grown into one of the largest fall shows in the Bay area. This year, their efforts raised $30,000 for charity.

“We host artists from 13 different mediums,” said Joann Dilernia, Co-Chair for Fun Development Committee. “There’s ceramics all the way to photography and mixed media.”

Art Harvest is a great way for local artists to show off their work. Dilernia said the weekend-long event saw over 30,000 guests.

“Over the years it moved to Dunedin Highlander Park and has grown to what it is today,” said Dilernia. “We typically have over 200 artists that we host. This year, due to COVID, we are a little smaller at 118 artists.”

Each artist paid $250 for a booth to showcase their work – that money went to the Junior League’s mission to fund local charities.

“The money from the artist’s booth fee goes into the mission 100%,” said Dilernia. “Yes, chronic hunger is one of the things that the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin strive to change with these fundraising efforts, but there are also other groups that need help too.”

The Junior League of Clearwater and Dunedin is ran by hundreds of women who volunteer their time, supporting the underserved community throughout the bay.

“It’s great to be a part of,” said local artist Jennifer Peck. “It’s wonderful; I read a little bit about all the work the Junior League does for hunger and homelessness and just their long time support of the community.”