What happens when you bring together unprecedented talent, unlimited creativity, and the famous intra-coastal waterways of Fort Lauderdale? A magical art fair exclusively available in South Florida.

Art Fort Lauderdale kicked off its inaugural art fair on the water in mid-January. The show featured three separate stops along the intracoastal waterways of Fort Lauderdale, boasting residences in iconic mansions accessible via the water taxi. Fat Village co-founder Doug McGraw and Vice President of  FatVillage Leah Brown hosted an exclusive panel on Saturday, January 14 where they explained the future of the art world in Fort Lauderdale.

When asked if this event is something that will continue to benefit Broward County cultural awareness, organizer, EvanSnow replied:

“My personal goal is to revitalize Broward through the ‘choose 954’ initiative. I hope to start holding more artist talks and as far as the art fair on the water, it was a huge success this year. We had amazing feedback and overwhelming support and it should continue as an annual event.”

Three separate stops on the tour represented awe-inspiring and thought provoking art from all different genres and mediums. A home built for Oscar Meyer’s granddaughter served as a perfect backdrop for some of the more retro pieces.

Artist Donna Haynes was on scene explaining her brilliant, interactive display entitled, “The Motherload of Invention.” Haynes transformed one of the bathrooms of the Oscar Meyer home, into her own golden palace and even had a performance artist live-typing in a bathtub. Haynes said her inspiration, which came from, “Being on the water gives me inspiration. It’s fluid and allows myself and artist Bonnie Goldstein to represent different aspects of consciousness through our art.”

“The Motherload Of Invention,” by artist Donna Haynes on display at the Oscar Meyer House

The displays along the water give the exhibition a different vibe and it is clear the artists are more than appreciative of the opportunity, as stated by artist Donna Haynes. She commented on how lucky she was to be painting and installing in a mansion on the beautiful waterfront of Fort Lauderdale, and further added that the “element of water allows for a fluidity with my work, like the unconscious mind.”

The next stop featured an 8,000 sq. ft. mansion on the intracoastal and a DJ to set the mood for three performance dancers wearing body-paint and carefully posing against a brightly-lit backdrop. Several artists and photographers were on scene and every room in the house was covered floor-to-ceiling with independent and widely-acclaimed artwork.

Using a hard-wood floored mansion on the water as a museum for these talented indie artists gave the work a special ambiance. Every room had a theme, and make-up artists and dancers were moving throughout the mansion to visually stun the audience.

Images courtesy of the Coconut Aisles Home, Fort Lauderdale.

The last stop on the water taxi took place at the Oceanland Investments Property where co-founders gave a paneled discussion on the future of art in Fort Lauderdale. Critically-acclaimed artist Barry Gross displays these three large portraits on rice paper hung in front of long windows that allowed the light to pass through. The portraits could also be seen from outside the house bringing together the water and visual stimulation, so much a constant theme at this unique experience.

In case you missed Art Fair On The Water, go to http://www.artftlauderdale.com/ to view some of the work.