FESTIVAL: MARCH 17-19, 2023
CONCERT: MARCH 11, 2023
WINTER PARK, FLORIDA
FESTIVAL: MARCH 17-19, 2023
CONCERT: MARCH 11, 2023
WINTER PARK, FLORIDA
The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival has proudly showcased the artists and art programs of Orange County and Winter Park public and private schools since the first festival in 1960.
The skillful and unique art works created by these talented students will amaze you. The exhibit is named in memory of Leon Theodore, an inspirational teacher, artist and former member and president of the festival board. The student displays are located across the railroad tracks opposite the stage.
This year’s panel of Schools Exhibit judges include: Susan Bach, a full time potter who teaches related classes and workshops; Arthur Dawson, a self-taught artist and founder of Ethnic Visions, an art publishing and distribution company; Janas Durkee, a fulltime painter who works primarily in acrylic and pastel; Jon David Miller, a Central Florida freelance artist who works primarily as a muralist; and Patrick Noze, a Haitian painter, sculptor and portrait artist.
A special thank you to the sponsors who support this exhibit, including the Joe and Sarah Galloway Foundation, Art Systems of Florida, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Orange County Public Schools and the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival Foundation.
CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF ALL 2022 SCHOOLS WINNERS!
Acceleration East High School
Aloma Elementary School
Arbor Ridge K-8 - E
Audubon Park School K-8 – E
Audubon Park School K-8 - M
Avalon Elementary School
Baldwin Park Elementary School
Bishop Moore Catholic High School
Bonneville Elementary School
Boone High School
Brookshire Elementary School
Catalina Elementary School
Chain of Lakes Middle School
Colonial High School
Corner Stone Charter - M
Corner Stone Charter - H
Discovery Middle School
Dommerich Elementary School
Dr. Phillips High School
East Lake Elementary School
East River High School
Edgewater High School
Englewood Elementary School
Faith Christian Academy – E, M, H
Forsyth Woods Elementary School
Foundation Academy
Freedom High School
Freedom Middle School
Glenridge Middle School
Gotha Middle School
Hidden Oaks Elementary School
Hillcrest Elementary School
Horizon High School
Hungerford Elementary School
Innovation Middle School
Jewish Academy of Orlando - E
Lake George Elementary School
Lake Highland Preparatory - E
Lake Highland Preparatory - M
Lake Nona High School
Lake Nona Middle School
Lake Sybelia Elementary School
Lake Weston Elementary School
Lakemont Elementary School
Liberty Middle School
Little River Elementary School
Magnolia School - H
Maynard Evans High School
Memorial Middle School
Mollie Ray Elementary School
Oak Ridge High School
Oakshire Elementary School
OCPS Academic Center for Excellence - E
OCPS Academic Center for Excellence - M
Olympia High School
Orangewood Christian School - E
Orangewood Christian School - M
Orangewood Christian School - H
Orlando Christian Prep - E
Orlando Christian Prep - M
Orlando Christian Prep - H
Orlando Science High School
Park Maitland School - E
Piedmont Lakes Middle School
Princeton Elementary School
Ridgewood Park Elementary School
Riverdale Elementary School
Roberto Clemente Middle School
Rock Lake Elementary School
Rock Springs Elementary School
Rosemont Elementary School
South Creek Middle School
St. James Cathedral School - E
St. Margaret Mary Catholic School - E
St. Margaret Mary Catholic School - M
Stone Lakes Elementary School
Sun Blaze Elementary School
Sun Ridge Middle School
Sunrise Elementary School
The Christ School - E
The Christ School - M
The First Academy - E
The First Academy - M
The First Academy - H
The Parke House Academy - E
The Trinity Preparatory School – E
The Trinity Preparatory School - M
Tildenville Elementary School
Timber Creek High School
Timber Lakes Elementary School
Timber Springs Middle School
UCP of Central Florida
Union Park Elementary School
Ventura Elementary School
Village Park Elementary School
Water Spring Elementary School
Water Springs Middle School
Wedgefield School – E
Wedgefield School - M
Wekiva High School
West Orange High School
Windermere High School
Windy Ridge k-8 - E
Windy Ridge k-8 - M
Winter Park High School
Leon Theodore taught for Orange County Public Schools at Hungerford High School and then at Edgewater High School until his retirement. He was an exhibiting artist in The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival and developed the students’ section where artwork from Orange County private and public schools could be displayed. He was a long-time WPSAF board member and the 1983 president. In 2000, the WPSAF committee changed the name of the student section to the Leon Theodore Schools Exhibit in his honor and memory. He passed away in March, 1999 during the same weekend as the Festival.
I began with Mr. Theodore at Edgewater in the 10th grade. I will never forget his first comment on the first day of his classes each year, “If you are sitting in one of my desks because you think this class is going to be an easy A, please get up and get out. I take teaching art very seriously.” I quickly learned that this teacher truly cared about each individual student and showed us how to gain confidence through our own expressions in art.
He inspired me in so many ways but mostly because he believed in me. He always encouraged me and pushed me to do my best. I went on to major in Art Education at Mercer University in Macon, Ga. so that I could give back to students all that he had given to me in my three years at EHS. I am a full-time 3rd - 5th-grade art teacher. And I have every intention of investing in each child just as Mr. Theodore invested in me!
I look forward to encouraging them in my art room just as Mr. Theodore encouraged me and so many others that they are countless! It is my desire to always keep a legacy like the one Mr. Leon Theodore left behind alive!
Whenever I see The WPSAF Leon Theodore Schools Exhibit area each year, I am so proud to say, ‘That great man was always my favorite teacher!’ ”
Leon was a kind, soft-spoken man who was genuinely concerned about the welfare of his students. Though he was small in stature, he was well respected and admired by everyone. He and I were church ushers at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in the early 90's. You might say, “He took care of his pews.”
On several occasions, I would see his students' artwork displayed at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center. I was impressed by the talent of his students at Edgewater High. He influenced other art teachers in the district to display their students’ work. To this day, veteran art teachers around Orange County reminisce about his integrity and craftsmanship.
I considered him a renaissance man for his love and devotion to his craft and his pupils. When I began my teaching career, Leon Theodore was someone I could turn to for advice and counsel. The faculty at Edgewater loved him dearly. I can say for certain that it was a very sad day at school when we heard of his passing. He was a truly remarkable artist, and a human being. It was an honor for me to call him a friend and colleague.
Oh yes, one more thing...Leon had a terrific smile which was contagious. I miss him immensely.”
Leon Theodore was not only an accomplished artist, but a talented and dedicated teacher. I remember him as an energetic worker for the WPSAF, he worked very hard on the student exhibits. Leon, Grady Kimsey and I judged many student art exhibitions and contests. He was always kind and had a great sense of humor. I enjoyed spending any time I could with him.
Dad was a gentle, kind man who although quiet, stood up for those he cared for. This did not remain with just his family. He applied this concern and love to anyone under his ‘care’. I can remember being angry that I had to share him with the kids in the neighborhood. Little did I know how many kids he touched and influenced. That statement speaks to whom my father was. Each person felt like they were the center of his attention, especially my mother.
