Suncoast Arts Fest adds high-tech wrinkles

At first glance the squiggly blobs in a box resemble a UPC product bar code on a bad hair day, but instead they are one of the nifty, high-tech wrinkles for the Suncoast Arts Fest coming in January.

Those QR code boxes will help visitors with smartphones navigate their way to the festival Jan. 22 and 23 and get information on events and promotions.

While the main festivities will take place at the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, the Suncoast Arts Fest will include activities all weekend at seven locations in Pasco County, as well as Tarpon Springs.

With that many events and more than 100,000 visitors expected, some technological magic was needed to tie everything together.

Suncoast Arts Fest co-director Pam Marron remembers last year's enthusiastic spectators calling or texting friends to rave about the great attractions, but stumbling when giving directions to get there.

Not a problem this year, Marron said. Organizers turned to Florida Communications Group and Media General, which publish The Pasco Tribune and The Suncoast News, for help, especially new media.

Spectators will have several new ways to get a treasure trove of information.

The QR code will appear in print ads or displays by sponsors. A person simply snaps a photo of the code box using the camera of a cellphone with Web access. The code box then whisks them to a mobile website for the Suncoast Arts Fest.

Retailers and government agencies have already been popularizing the technology. A ScanLife mobile app reader for QR codes can be downloaded at http://web.scanlife.com/us_en.

People also can text SAF to 82672 or bookmark the main website at www.suncoastartsfest.com or the mobile website at media.mgnetwork.com/creativeservices/tbo/suncoast_arts_fest/mobile. Out-of-towners can even take advantage of links to make hotel reservations.

People can call (727) 247-6182, fax (866) 250-6155 or e-mail pmarron@tampabay.rr.com.

There will be plenty to see, Marron and co-director Marj Golub emphasize - 110 fine artists and craftsmen, 20 chalk artists, live radio broadcast, live polka party broadcast, regional youth entertainment, emerging student artists display, kids arts area, "Flavors of" participating restaurants and more.

Plus related activities are scheduled at Progress Energy Art Gallery, West Pasco Art Guild, Pollywog Gallery, PHCC Alric Pottberg Gallery, Pioneer Museum, Market off Main, Downtown Longleaf and Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, at St. Petersburg College Tarpon Springs Campus.

Raising money for the benefit of "Arts for Kids" is a primary goal for the organization. Each year, donations advance services for visual and performing art students in public and prive Pasco schools.