Children's art will be a highlight at this year's Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts scheduled for February 2 & 3, 2008. Families are invited to stroll through the exhibit which features the children's artistic depictions of Hobe Sound.

Maribel Torres a fifth-grade student at SeaWindElementary School was the grand prize winner of the Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts Elementary Children's Art Contest. Maribel's design was among hundreds of entries that were submitted by young students from who live or go to school in Hobe Sound. Torres' design will be printed on the 2008 Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts Children's t-shirt.

All funds from the shirt sales will go toward Hobe Sound area elementary art programs. Joined by her mother, Maribel was honored during the Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce Christmas luncheon held at Mariner Sands Country Club. During the luncheon members got the first glimpse of Maribel's design. Torres' original along with several other students' art work will be on display in the Children's Art Area at the Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts.

Other winners include: Blue Ribbon: Bianca Cosentino Hobe Sound Elementary School (HSE) grade 4; Connor Foley Seawind Elementary School (SWE) grade 3; Isabella Fucigna Homeschool; Amanda Popilek SWE grade 3. Honorable Mention- HobeSoundElementary School: Erin Schuler grade 5; Kassie Landvay grade 5; Jake Spoelstra grade 3; Karly Landray grade 5 and Emily Rynasko grade 4. Honorable Mention-SeawindElementary School: Ellen Behrle grade 5; Ryan Hoefling grade 3; Jacob Thorne grade 5; Ronika Etienne grade 5; Shayna Shannon grade 5. Honorable Mention - HobeSoundChristianAcademy: Christian Mydock grade 3. Honorable Mention - Homeschool Elora Fucigna.

The Annual Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts will take place on February 2&3, 2008 along Dixie Highway/A1A. Show ti mes are 10 am to 5 pm daily and admission is free. This event is proudly cosponsored by the Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce and GFWC Hobe Sound Women's Club. For more information please call 546-4724.