Polk Museum of Art Announces 50th Anniversary Citizens Bank & Trust Mayfaire by-the-Lake

Lakeland, FL (March 17, 2022) - The Polk Museum of Art is thrilled to announce its 50th annual Citizens Bank & Trust Mayfaire by-the-Lake, to be held on the shores of Lake Morton May 7 and 8, 2022, from 9 am to 4 pm. Visitors and art enthusiasts can enjoy Mother’s Day weekend with a stroll around the lake and the opportunity to shop at over 160 artist booths featuring art of all media, ranging from painting and sculpture to jewelry and photography and everything in between. 

Mayfaire by-the-Lake is one of the longest-standing traditions of Lakeland. Beginning in 1971 as a small craft fair, Mayfaire has grown into a beloved annual event for the community and beyond and has been ranked among Sunshine Artist Magazine’s “200 Best Art Shows” for ten years in a row. 

“Citizens Bank & Trust is proud to serve as presenting sponsor of Mayfaire as we celebrate the event’s 50th year,” states Greg Littleton, president and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust.

In honor of the 50th Mayfaire celebration, visitors will find even more to enjoy around the lake this May than ever before. Families can visit an expanded Ruthven’s Mayfaire Kids Zone at its new and larger location on the corner of East Walnut and Indiana Avenue for free children’s activities. In addition, the Polk Museum of Art itself will be the 50th Anniversary “Headquarters” and will celebrate Mayfaire’s history with special exhibitions, including “Mayfaire at 50: Award Winners,” in the Murray/Ledger Gallery of the Museum, highlighting past festival winners. 

“Mayfaire by-the-Lake is a Mother’s Day weekend tradition like no other, and, at 50 years young, Mayfaire is returning stronger than ever for 2022,” said Dr. Alex Rich, executive director and chief curator of the Polk Museum of Art. “The Museum takes enormous pride in having hosted — and having been able to host — Mayfaire for a half-century now, a true tribute to our supportive and art-loving community. We remain indebted to all of our community partners, and our devoted visitors, for helping us to make Mayfaire the event of the season year in and out and generation after generation.”

The weekend festivities will continue with the Lakeland Runners Club’s 43rd Annual Mayfaire 5K on Saturday evening. The run will begin at 7 p.m. near Lake Mirror and ends on Francis C Langford Promenade. Interested participants can register online or volunteer for the run at https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Lakeland/Mayfaire5k. Registration will close Wednesday, May 4. “

Additional information about this year’s Mayfaire Judge, Featured Poster Artist, and event details are available on MayfairebytheLake.org. 50th Mayfaire Sponsors include Citizens Bank & Trust, The Ruthvens, Frost Law Firm, Subaru Lakeland, Southern Homes, Publix Super Markets Charities, Tampa Maid Foods and Visit Central Florida, with Media Sponsors, The Ledger | Localiq, Max 98.3 and WLKF, LALToday, Orlando Arts, WEDU PBS, and LKLD Magazine.

About the Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College

The Polk 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. The Museum is currently embarking on a $6 million expansion and renovation project, adding an additional 10,000 sq. ft. of education and exhibition space, including six new galleries, as well as multi-functional classroom and event spaces. The expansion and renovation is expected to begin in 2023, with project completion in Spring 2024. 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 Partner, the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation.