FAIRHOPE – The Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival Foundation proudly unveiled the poster art for the 2017 festival, Friday night, Feb. 3 at Andree’s in Fairhope. This artwork will be used to promote the 65th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival throughout the Gulf Coast.

This year’s poster art by Ardith Goodwin features sailboats on the bay in bright coastal colors.

“We knew when we started the search for the artwork that we were looking for something special. We were at the Fairhope First Friday Art Walk and in the Lyons Share window was a beautiful abstract painting with vibrant colors that had so much life, we knew we had found our artist,” said Festival Chairman Laura English, “This is the perfect selection to represent our 65th year because it is vibrant, active, fresh and expresses all the joys of living on the bay in such a wonderful coastal community.”

Goodwin combines her love of writing and educating with a self-taught passion for art and has been a professional artist for the past 15 years. Despite facing life changing orthopedic challenges, Ardith holds true to her faith and the belief that no matter what challenge life throws her way, nothing will quench her spirit to continue creating, sharing and inspiring.

"It is an honor to be selected as the featured artist for the 65th Annual Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival. Growing up along the Gulf Coast has given me a rich connection to our beautiful way of life here and the ability to express that creatively was exciting,” said Goodwin, “What a joy it was to capture that love of coastal living through paint.”

Posters can be purchased for $10 at the festival information booth. Prints can be purchased for $20 and t-shirts are $15, XXL $18.

About the Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival:

The 65th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival will be held March 17, 18 & 19 in the streets of Downtown Fairhope along the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay.

Festival hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 230 exhibitors will bring their best works from all over the country to showcase at this prestigious juried show.

The Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival is one of the oldest art festivals in the country and is ranked in the top 50 in the U.S. by Sunshine Artist Magazine. There will also be live entertainment and delicious food available. For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/artsandcraftsfairhope/