Expanded art fest set to launch

Tens of thousands are expected to converge on The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel for the fifth annual Suncoast Arts Fest this weekend. However, the event is just the centerpiece of a larger Suncoast Arts Fest Weekend that will encompass several Pasco County venues.

The overture for the weekend will take place at the New Port Richey Public Library. Guy Davis will perform at 5:30 p.m. today. Davis, whose credits include a recent feature on National Public Radio and an appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman," will play his style of traditional acoustic blues. The performance is free.

Davis' appearance is one of several festival events Greater Downtown New Port Richey Main Street will coordinate Saturday, centering at Progress Energy Art Gallery, 6231 Grand Blvd., where the "Up for Interpretation" abstract exhibition will be on display.

There will also be a mini art stroll along Grand Boulevard, live open-mic entertainment in Railroad Square during the monthly downtown market, and mini historic walking tours from the gallery at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m., artist Ralph Butler will present the first session of his new monthly Saturday Night Art Appreciation series. For information, call the gallery at (727) 848-6500 or visit www.NPRgallery.com.

The New Port Richey Aquatic and Recreation Complex, 6630 Van Buren St., will hold a "make it and take it" Children's Art Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday with shuttle transportation to and from Progress Energy Art Gallery provided by Hyundai of Wesley Chapel. Call (727) 841-4560 or visit www.cityofnewportrichey.org or

Five other venues will also have festival events.

•The West Pasco Art Guild, 6206 Jefferson St., New Port Richey, will have special showings from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday of its "Water, Water Everywhere" exhibit, featuring nautical art by guild members and displays by the Suncoast Ship Model Society and the Toy Makers of Pasco County. Call (727) 841-7732 or visit www.westpascoartguild.com.

•Pasco-Hernando Community College's Alric Pottberg Gallery, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey, will be open Saturday with its current exhibit of photos from the Chasco Camera Club. Subjects include animals, scenery, people and still life in color, black and white, and infrared photography. Visit www.phcc.edu/gallery or call (727) 847-2727.

•Pasco Arts Council, 5744 Moog Road, Holiday, will be open Saturday, with works by local artists on display and for sale in the council gift shop. Visit www.pascoart.org or call (727) 845-7322 for details.

•The Pioneer Florida Museum, 13205 U.S. 301, Dade City, will offer art history talks Saturday. Call (352) 567-5277 or visit www.pioneerfloridamuseum.org.

•Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, 600 E. Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs, will present a show by the Miniature Art Society of Florida from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. More than 850 pieces will be on display, including paintings, scrimshaw, fired porcelain and sculpture. With few exceptions, all of the art is for sale. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors. Children, students with identification and museum and Miniature Art Society of Florida members will be admitted free. Call (727) 712-5762 or visit www.spcollege.edu/central /museum.

For information and directions to the festival venues, visit www.suncoastarts fest.com.