THE ASHLEY GIBSON BARNETT MUSEUM OF ART (THE AGB) AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE ANNOUNCES DETAILS FOR 53RD ANNUAL MAYFAIRE BY-THE-LAKE ART FESTIVAL

LAKELAND, Fla. (April 13, 2025) – The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art (AGB) is excited to announce the return of the 53rd annual Mayfaire by-the-Lake Art Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11, 2025, from 9 am to 4 pm along the scenic shores of Lake Morton. A beloved Mother’s Day weekend tradition, this free festival brings together over 150 artists from across the country, offering a weekend filled with exceptional fine art, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and community celebration.

Recognized as one of the Southeast’s premier outdoor art festivals, Mayfaire by-the-Lake features a diverse array of artwork, including painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry, mixed media, and more. Whether attendees are serious collectors or simply looking to enjoy a weekend immersed in creativity, Mayfaire offers something for everyone.

“Mayfaire is a family-friendly weekend where we bring artists of all media together from across the United States to showcase fine artwork,” said Joy Williams, Mayfaire coordinator. “Holding Mayfaire during Mother’s Day weekend provides a special opportunity for families to celebrate their mothers while enjoying beautiful weather, inspiring artwork, and entertainment for children of all ages.”

Each year, a distinguished artist is also selected to design a poster image that represents the vibrancy and spirit of Mayfaire, offering festival-goers the chance to own a piece of the festival's history on merchandise sold at the Museum tent. In March, The AGB unveiled the Mayfaire 2025 official poster and featured artist, Emma Holland, whose original work entitled “Swan’s Special Garden” encapsulates the event's creative energy.

As Mayfaire continues to evolve, the 2025 festival promises an exciting array of events and experiences for attendees. Year after year, this beloved tradition continues to grow, offering new ways to engage with the arts.

2025 Judge

Every Mayfaire, an out-of-state art expert is handpicked and invited by the Museum’s Executive Director to serve as the festival judge. Artist Charles Edward Williams will take on the honor of festival judge this spring.

Williams is a contemporary visual artist from South Carolina. He holds a BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia and an MFA from the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG). Williams has attended summer artist residencies at Otis College of Art and Design (CA), SOMA (Mexico City, Mexico), the Gibbes Museum (SC), and the McColl Center for Art + Innovation (NC). Edwards’ traveling exhibitions include “Sun + Light,” “Warm Water,” and “Swim.” “Sun + Light” has been on view at The AGB, Gibbes Museum of Art (SC), and Residency Art Gallery (LA). “Warm

Water” has been on view at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (MI), SECCA (NC), and Weber State University (UT). “Swim” was displayed at Morton Fine Art (DC). His work was also recently exhibited at Aqua and Scope Art Fair / Art Basel (FL) and Texas Contemporary Art Fair (TX). His work is in the permanent collections of the Gibbes, Georgia Museum of Art, Knoxville Museum of Art, Delaware Art Museum, Mississippi Museum of Art, Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, and the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art. Williams is also the recipient of the Riley Institute Diversity Leadership Award from the State of South Carolina for developing enriching art programs within local communities.

“Charles is one of the art world’s fastest rising stars, and we are thrilled that, after giving us the privilege of exhibiting his work back in 2018 at the Museum, he is returning to Lakeland to judge Mayfaire,” said Dr. H. Alexander Rich, chief curator and executive director. “Charles and his expertise for judging this year’s festival are guided not merely by his adept eye but also by his own talents and successes working across creative media, much like the wide array of artists who will showcase their work at Mayfaire.”

Events Details

In addition to hosting a judge to select award winners during the festival itself, the determination of which artists show each year at Mayfaire is made earlier in the spring by a panel of jurors. As a juried festival, Mayfaire promises top-notch art, produced both by seasoned professionals and emerging talents, and top-notch art experiences. Art lovers will have the opportunity to explore artist booths and collect a diverse range of artwork. Spanning a wide array of media, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, glasswork, photography, and fiber arts, this year’s exhibitors present visitors with an eclectic and inspiring display of fine art for all tastes and budgets.

The Mayfaire Kids Zone, sponsored by Publix Super Market Charities, will offer hands-on art activities for children of all abilities, including making hand-print cacti, ice cream dot paintings, and mixed media buttons. The specialized Kids Collect tent also returns for its fourth year, giving young art collectors the chance to purchase artwork by festival artists at kid-friendly prices, with all proceeds supporting Summer Camp scholarships. The Kids Zone will be open from 10 am to 2 pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

Throughout the weekend, attendees can also enjoy a variety of food vendors from Polk County and around Tampa Bay. Guests can also browse a marketplace of handcrafted goods, unique jewelry, and artisan products, providing plenty of opportunities to take home a special souvenir.

In partnership with the Lakeland Runners Club, the festival celebrates 46 years of the Mayfaire 5K Road Race & Walk on Saturday evening, May 10, at 7 p.m. The scenic route takes participants through downtown Lakeland and the historic Lake Morton district. Runners and walkers of all skill levels are welcome. Online registration closes at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, May 6. In-person registration will be available on Friday evening at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course clubhouse and on Saturday during packet pick up at Lake Mirror Center before the race.

Beyond the race and the weekend festivities, Mayfaire’s broader significance runs deep with the Polk County community both historically for long-time attendees and with an eye toward the region’s burgeoning position as a cultural hub and draw for tourists.

 “Mayfaire by-the-Lake is more than an art festival and staple event for our community — it is a cultural and economic driver that reinforces Lakeland’s status as a vibrant cultural destination,” said Dr. Rich, the Museum’s executive director. “By bringing world-class artistic talent to our community while celebrating the creative voices that call this region home, we foster a deeper connection between local audiences and the global art scene. This festival is a celebration and a testament to the power of art to inspire, engage, and bring people together across generations.”

The 2025 Mayfaire by-the-Lake Art Festival is made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including Citizens Bank & Trust, The Ruthvens, Visit Central Florida, Southern Homes, Publix Super Markets Charities,  Power Home Remodeling, Friends of Mayfaire, Tampa International Airport, LeafFilter, the City of Lakeland, LKLD Arts Mayor’s Council of the Arts, and Culture Builds Florida, with Media Sponsors, LKLD Magazine, Max 98.3 and WLKF, Winter Park Publishing Company, WEDU PBS, and The Ledger | Localiq.

For event updates, artist announcements, and additional details, visit mayfairebythelake.org.

About Mayfaire by-the-Lake

First held in 1971, Mayfaire by-the-Lake has grown into one of the Southeast’s most celebrated outdoor art festivals. Organized by the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art, this free two-day event attracts thousands of visitors annually, celebrating creativity, culture, and community along the scenic shores of Lake Morton in Lakeland, Florida.

About The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art at Florida Southern College

The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art at Florida Southern College is a not-for-profit, academic and community museum that seeks to enhance lives through inspirational and engaging art experiences for all. It is the largest and only nationally accredited visual arts organization in Polk County and the only Smithsonian Affiliate art museum in Central Florida. In January 2025, Museum opened its new Dr. Anne B. Kerr Wing, with an additional 14,000 sq. ft. of exhibition and education space, including six new galleries, as well as multi-functional classroom and event spaces. The Museum’s hours are Tuesdays–Saturdays 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm, and closed Mondays and major holidays. The facility is handicap accessible and special needs assistance is available. Admission is free, thanks to our Strategic Partners, the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation and Dr. Alan and Linda Rich.