Artist Lorraine Turner didn't have an award in mind when she decided to paint her view of Baldwin Park, but it wasn't long before she found herself winning one.

 

Turner's original work, titled "Small Town within a City," was picked as the prize-winning painting of the Baldwin Park Arts Festival and will adorn the event's posters and fliers this year.

 

"I painted three paintings of Baldwin Park and tried to capture the feel of the town," Turner said. "I liked the scene and the idea of a small town."

 

Turner said her prize not only brought her recognition, but also won her a booth at this year's festival.

 

She'll join many local artists as they display and sell everything from paintings to photography, sculpture, glass and jewelry at the third annual festival on Saturday, March 14. She'll also have musical accompaniment as groups, including the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, perform on stage.

 

"It's truly about the arts and supporting the local community," said Pat Jones-Petrick, founder of the event and owner of Trish's Teas.

 

Jones-Petrick said the first art festival was inspired by her idea to promote the Orlando Opera's 50th anniversary.

 

"The whole object was to promote the visual and performing arts," she said. "And everyone we talked to was really excited about the idea and it just kept evolving into this big event."

 

The event that once started as a small idea has now grown into a community affair.

 

"It's a way to introduce Baldwin Park as a whole to the outside community," Jones-Petrick said.

 

Katie Merrigan, owner of Merrigan's Boutique in Baldwin Park, is excited about the business the event brings to her boutique.

 

"If we could have an event like this every week I'd do it," Merrigan said. "It definitely brings people down here, and Baldwin Park is such a beautiful area; it's the perfect spot for a family event like this."

 

Merrigan will be wrapping up the event by presenting her clothing line — alongside other Baldwin Park merchants — in a fashion show, titled "The Art of Fashion." The show will also showcase a variety of "doggy fashions."

 

"We try to incorporate all the arts … and I think that is really interesting to people," Merrigan said. "Any art show is great, but this (the fashion show) just adds a little more excitement."

  

----------

The Baldwin Park Arts Festival will showcase both the visual arts and the performing arts in Baldwin Park's Village Center Courtyard on Saturday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free festival features art from local artists and performances from music artists, including the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.