Kana Handel's Spring Arts Festival Poster Image Features Paynes Prairie

March 27, 2012

Santa Fe College unveiled the 43 annual Spring Arts Festival poster yesterday, a lovely image by artist Kana Handel called "Many Moons Over the Prairie."

The subject, a whimsical horse floating over Paynes Prairie with a rider on its back, was inspired by seeing the wild horses at the prairie.

"The horses made me happy and I wanted to keep that happy feeling for many moons," said Kandel, who expressed gratitude to all her loved ones and to the college for selecting her as this year's poster artist.

Vice President for Development Chuck Clemons gave the poster unveiling's introductory remarks, saying, "It was 43 years ago when some folks in tie dye got together and said, 'what are we going to do to show off some art in the community?'"

Today, the juried festival is one of the largest in the southeastern United States with just one in four artists who apply accepted into the show.

President Jackson Sasser affirmed his belief and support of the arts, saying no matter what a person's background, no matter their circumstances, "every student has a right to beauty."

Kana is married to Randy Handel, who arrived at Santa Fe College to teach English in 2003.

Kana thanked Randy as her best friend, muse and English teacher. (She's originally from Japan.) She said she hopes her artwork helps people celebrate the openness and beauty of spring.

"I hope it becomes a little part of this happy spring season," she said.

For more about the Santa Fe Spring Arts Festival, coming up April 14 and 15, please read this press release.

The poster costs $15 and will be for sale at the festival, or call 352-395-5355, or email kathryn.lehman@sfcollege.edu.

To see Dr. Sasser's introductory remarks on video, visit the Santa Fe College Foundation on Facebook.