Linda Lucas painting. PHOTO PROVIDED

The 2026 Babcock Ranch Art Show returns lakeside to Founder’s Square March 14-15 with nearly 60 local and national artists. Now in its eighth year, the popular juried show features works in watercolor, oil, acrylic, drawing, 2D and 3D mixed media, metal, jewelry, photography, ceramic, glass, sculpture, wearable art and woodcraft.

Presented by Babcock Ranch in collaboration with ArtFest Fort Myers, the outdoor art festival is Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free and open to the public, the show offers live music in the bandshell, favorite food trucks as well as food and beverage served by Slater’s Goods & Provisions, Square Scoops Coffee & Creamery and the Lakehouse Kitchen & Bar in Founder’s Square. The family-friendly event also caters to younger visitors with face painting, balloon twisting and a kids’ art activity from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days.

“We’re delighted to once again bring acclaimed artists and local musicians to celebrate the arts in Babcock Ranch,” said Syd Kitson, chairman and CEO of Kitson & Partners, developer of Babcock Ranch, America’s first solar-powered town. “The show has grown alongside our town while maintaining the intimate atmosphere that makes it so special. It reflects our emphasis on the importance of the arts for an authentic sense of community.”

The 2026 Babcock Ranch Art Show includes familiar local faces as well as first-time exhibitors. As a juried show coordinated by ArtFest, artists are selected anonymously based on a jury review of their portfolios.

Linda Lucas, a watercolor and acrylic artist who lives in Babcock, has participated in the show every year since its inception, and is looking forward to another great weekend.

Founder's Square. PHOTO PROVIDED

“The Babcock Ranch Art Show is an intimate event that gives the public time to study each piece and talk to the artist about their work and creative process. It gives me the opportunity to meet new neighbors and show my work to those who may have not seen it. It also gives me a chance to inspire budding artists of all ages,” said Lucas.

From art to music, Babcock Ranch is committed to providing cultural opportunities close to home. Created by Kitson & Partners with the philosophy that smart growth and sustainability work hand-in-hand, half of the town’s footprint is set aside as greenways, parks and expansive lakes, providing recreation and scenic backdrops for homes and businesses.

The nations’ 4th top-selling master planned community, the town is planned for 19,500 residences and approximately 6,000,000 square feet of commercial space. Built to Florida Green Building Coalition standards, homes emphasize energy and water conservation and have a full gig of fiber-optic connectivity. Prices range from the upper-$200,000s to $4 million.

For more information about Southwest Florida’s new hometown, located just northeast of Fort Myers off Babcock Ranch Road/State Road 31, visit the Woodlea Hall Discovery Center at 42850 Crescent Loop in Babcock Ranch, call 877-709-6620, or visit BabcockRanch.com.

Babcock Ranch. PHOTO PROVIDED