Try to stop by Hannibal Square for a little cheer and visit your favorite store or restaurant this Thursday February 9th. Most stores will stay open late and we will have a little music on the sidewalk.

Come out during January 20 to April 21 at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center Gallery for the The Art of Missionary Mary Proctor.

Tallahassee-based Mary Proctor is a self-taught African-American artist and has exhibited her highly distinctive work nationally. Her artwork incorporates found objects into paintings and three dimensional works, largely inspired by Bible scripture and other life lessons. Curated by executive director Peter Schreyer, the exhibition includes work from Mary’s personal collection as well as from that of the Mennello Museum of American Art.

Gallery talk at 7 p.m. at adjacent Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church; opening reception 8 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, January 20.

For more info visit www.hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org

Harriett’s Park Avenue Fashion Week is a 7-day celebration of the local fashion retail and design community. The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and the Park Avenue Area Association set out to create an event that would represent Winter Park and its fashions. Since it’s conception in 2007, HPAFW is held every fall with a week full of fashionable events hosted by the boutiques of Park Avenue and Hannibal Square. The grand finale is the fashion show held in Central Park’s West Meadow where a prominent tent display, designed by New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week’s venue designers, lights the night sky. Harriett’s Park Avenue Fashion Week’s goal is to bring the essence of fashion and merge it with function to showcase Winter Park and its elegance.

This years’ event is taking place October 9th – 15th, 2011. For more information visit the event’s official website at www.parkavenuefashionweek.com.

The Hannibal Square Folk Art and Craft Festival, once again brought art to the public. Everyone expected an onslaught of arts, music, film fests and theatre events in every corner of the town. Art enthusiasts definitely found everything they needed at the event and even local visitors enjoyed a wonderful day of arts and crafts, and were delighted with all the artistry being offered. There are only two words that mainly highlighted and attracted people to join: Folk Arts – it’s the only event where the best of art can all be found in one place. The amazed crowd saw the talent of self-taught artists and professional artists as well as gathered pieces of art. The event happened at Hannibal Square Heritage Center 642 W New England Ave Winter Park Winter Park, FL last April 16, 2011, and the audience definitely was delighted enough as their hearts were filled with joy.

This year, the folk art and craft festival stepped outdoors and created side-street works of art that surely enchanted audiences of all ages. From kids to those over their 50s, there was absolutely something in store for everyone. Participants witnessed the Porch Dogs and other bands play which provided the soundtrack to a whole day of sharing stories, workshops for children and youth, and fabulous art works from local legends like the Highwaymen and so much more. During the day, the crowd visited the center’s new exhibit “The Art of Uncle Monday and Other Florida Tales” with prints by the late Kitty Kitson Petterson.

The event definitely was a great day of family bonding thru art where great music, striking art pieces and Art Wonders happened simultaneously at the recent annual Hannibal Square Folk Art and Craft Festival.

Join us for Champagne Thursdays happening at Hannibal Square on every second Thursday of the month from 6-10PM.

Head down to New England Avenue where the street is blocked and restaurants offer Champagne for $1. Boutiques are open late, and local musicians and artists offer art and entertainment.

When you visit Champagne Thursdays you can expect to see award-winning artists, continuous entertainment, live musical performances, food from the area’s finest restaurants, and of course, $1 bubbly at select restaurants.