SARASOTA, Fla. – Nearly 150 outstanding fine craft artists from across the country will present their latest artworks when the Sarasota Craft Show fills the Sarasota Bradenton International Convention Center with handcrafted art, artist demonstrations, entertainment and more Dec. 4 – 6, 2009.
Perfect for holiday shoppers, arts enthusiasts and collectors, the Sarasota Craft Show provides a wide range of furniture, jewelry, clothing, sculpture, ceramics, woven baskets and more priced from less than $50 to more than $1,000.
The “Art of Healthy Eating Breakfast” sponsored by Whole Foods Market will be Friday morning, Dec. 4, featuring hot and cold breakfast foods and beverages served from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. This is also a great time to mingle with artists and preview their works before the show officially opens to the public at 10 a.m.
“Whole Foods Market is committed to supporting our community and our environment. That’s why we are proud to sponsor the Art of Healthy Eating Breakfast and looking forward to the 2009 Sarasota Craft Show. Hope to see you there!” Nikki Heil, Marketing Director, Whole Foods Market Sarasota.
Tickets to the “Art of Healthy Eating Breakfast” buffet must be purchased in advance and are now on sale at www.sarasotacraftshow.com or by calling (800) 834-9437 weekdays between 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $19 per person if purchased by Nov. 12. The price includes the breakfast buffet plus one event ticket. Tickets purchased after Nov. 12 are $21 per person. Admission tickets for the Friday morning preview only, which excludes the breakfast buffet, are $11. Breakfast buffet tickets will not be sold at the door on Dec. 4.
All artists participating in the Sarasota Craft Show have been juried to ensure that high quality work is showcased throughout the three-day event. Many of the participating artists are award-winners or have pieces included in museum collections.
“We have a tremendous level of talent and range of work that will be exclusively presented in Sarasota at this event. The artists are very excited to be part of the Sarasota Craft Show and are looking forward to sharing their latest creative expressions with everyone,” said Richard Rothbard of American Craft Marketing, which is independently managing the Sarasota Craft Show. Richard and Joanna Rothbard own An American Craftsman galleries in New York, Savannah, Ga. and Stockbridge, Ma.
Among the artists traveling to Sarasota from around the country is the event promoter, Richard Rothbard of Slate Hill, N.Y., who tells stories by transforming beautiful pieces of wood into complex puzzle boxes, shelves and furniture. Francis Kite of Lawrence, Ks., whose work is included in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, designs jewelry combining colorful enamels, precious metals, elegant pearls and sparkling diamonds. Lara Moore of Bloomington, In., creates contemporary tables, mirrors, seating, wall art and accessories from distinctive hand cut paper patterns in rich colors. Dale Rogers, of Ward Hill, Ma., is a sculptor whose creations can take six months from conception to completion.
Christine Paluszek of Seminole, Fl will be showcasing jewelry that is all hand-crafted, using traditional metalsmith techniques. Thomas Long, a hand blown glass artist from St. Augustine, Fl., creates custom designed architectural glass art installations that add patterns, light and movement to a space. Su Griggs of Sarasota works with clay and paint to create her hand built sculptures. She studied at Ringling College of Art in Sarasota as well as at Fine Art in Glassboro State, N.J. and Moore College of Art in Philadelphia.
Information about the galleries owned by the Rothbards is available at www.anamericancraftsman.com. To learn more about Richard Rothbard’s career as an actor and artist, go to www.boxology.com or contact him at [email protected].
2009 Sarasota Craft Show
Show Hours:
Friday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ticket Prices:
One-day adult: $8 / Three-day: $11
Children under 10 admitted free
Students: $5
Art of Healthy Eating Breakfast Sponsored by Whole Foods Market on Friday, Dec. 4:
Breakfast and admission to the show: $19 through Nov. 12; $21 after Nov. 12
Preview ticket only (does not include breakfast) for early admission on Dec. 4: $11
Purchase tickets online at www.sarasotacraftshow.com or call (800) 834-9437 weekdays between 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Children’s Build-A-Birdhouse Workshop Sponsored by Home Depot on Saturday, Dec. 5:
Youngsters are invited to participate in a free, hands-on workshop that will be held at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Participation is limited to the first 25 children who arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of each class. Tables and materials will be set up inside of the convention center.
Location:
Sarasota Bradenton International Convention Center
8005 15th Street East
Sarasota, Fl 34243
www.sbicc.net, [email protected]
Toll Free: (800) 355-9161
Phone: (941) 355-9161
Free parking is available on-site.
Media contact for information, images or interviews:
Mary Lou Janson, (813) 251-5737, (office), (813) 361-1061 (cell), [email protected].
