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Upcoming art festivals offer a holiday shopping alternative

Florida Craftsmen Gallery

At the CraftArt 2009 show on Nov. 21 and 22 at the Florida Craftsmen Gallery, you can find such work as jewelry by Mary Filapek.

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By ESTHER HAMMER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2009

As the holidays approach and the pressure to buy presents increases, be comforted knowing that you don't have to fight the crowds at the malls unless you really want to, because this area offers a good alternative: original art and crafts.

The good news is that the coming weekends are filled with so many holiday-themed art and craft events it's impossible to get to them all. To help you choose — and give you some idea of what you can buy there — here is a sampling of local and regional shows through mid-December.

Happy art shopping.

Friday through Sunday

From 6 to 9 p.m. Friday the Florida Craftsmen Gallery hosts a free reception to open its 23rd annual holiday boutique, called Buy Florida Give Florida. It features a wide assortment of finely crafted functional and decorative works of art made by the gallery's 250 member artists. Many of the artists will be in attendance at the opening. The show runs through Dec. 31.

The craftsmen gallery also will hold Deck The Halls, the annual sale of artists' hand-made ornaments to benefit the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, during the reception Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 12. The gallery is at 501 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. Visit www.floridacraftsmen.net.

From 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, The Ritz Ybor plays host to Magnum Opus, in which 75 local artists will display original works based on themes of creation and self-preservation. Stage shows at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. feature performances by Bella Danza, Enigma Dance Kru, Kinetic Dance Group, a "Wear To The Tear" Fashion Show and more. A donation of $1 at the door is requested. VIP tables and reservations can be made by e-mail at RSVP@ssquareoneflorida.com. The Ritz Ybor is located at 1503 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Visit www.squareoneflorida.com for information.

Friday through Sunday the 34th annual open-air art show known as Festival of the Masters takes place in Lake Buena Vista. About 150 artists will display a wide array of handmade items for purchase. The festival also features live entertainment, including performances by members of Cirque du Soleil, folk music and children's activities provided by the House of Blues Folk Art Festival, sidewalk art demonstrations by the Central Florida Chalk Artists Association, face painting, family activities and more. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking are free. The event will take place in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World. Visit www.disneyworld.com/artfestival for information.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the Temple Terrace Arts Council presents the 36th annual Community Arts Festival, a free event in Riverhills Park on the banks of the Hillsborough River. Visit www.templeterraceartscouncil.org/arts_festival.asp....

Nov. 21-22

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 21 and 22, the highly anticipated annual CraftArt festival, this year called Come for the Craft … Experience Coastal Colors, takes place just outside the doors of the Florida Craftsmen Gallery. Juried by David McFadden, curator of the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, the show features works, lectures and demonstrations by some of the nation's best fine-craft artists. Admission is free. The gallery is at 501 Central Ave. Visit www.floridacraftsmen.net for information.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 21 and noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 22. The Studio@620 will host "Holizaar Deux," a free holiday bazaar. The event is known for its eclectic and unusual assortment of handmade gifts by local artists and crafts people and homemade food. The gallery is at 620 First Ave. S. in St. Petersburg. Visit www.studio620.org. See art examples at www.craftheroes.com.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 21 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 22, don't miss Made By Hand, the annual show and sale of fine crafts made by students and instructors from Tampa's recreation centers, as well as guest artists. Featuring affordable art in a wide array of styles and craft media, the free event takes place at The Kate Jackson Community Center, 821 S. Rome Ave., in Tampa.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 21 and Nov. 22, Dunedin's Main Street will be filled with handmade works by some of the country's finest artists and crafters during that city's 17th Annual Craft Festival. The festival takes place at 271 Main St., Dunedin.

Nov. 26-29

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 26 to 29, nationally known Tampa glass artist Susan Gott opens her Phoenix Studio to the public. Wine and cheese will be served while Gott and her team create intriguing figurative sculptures, circular and abstract motifs, and other intricate glass pieces. A casting demonstration will take place between 6 and 9 p.m. Nov. 27. Finished pieces are displayed and priced for sale in the showroom. Her work can also be seen at Disney's Festival of the Masters. The gallery is at 811 E. Knollwood St., Tampa. Visit www.gottglass.com for information.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 28 and 29, more original handcrafted works can be found at the 19th Annual Tarpon Springs Thanksgiving Weekend Craft Fest. It's free and in addition to the art, visitors can see the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. The festival is at 161 E. Tarpon Ave. in Tarpon Springs.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 28 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29, visit the Florida State Fairgrounds on U.S. 301 for the holiday-themed Buckler's Craft Fair, featuring a plethora of works and goods made by professional craftspeople fromacross the country. Admission is $6. Visit www.bpcraftfairs.com/tampa.html for information.

Dec. 4-6

From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 4, Kick Start My Art and the Tampa Artist Emporium present a holiday-themed exhibit called "Winter Wonderland," featuring Christmas ornaments made by 30 guest artists, a "Worst Christmas Sweater" contest, drawings for prizes and holiday portraits taken by photographer David Pritchard. Admission is free. The gallery is at 3415 Bay to Bay Blvd. in Tampa. Visit www.tampaartistemporium.com for information.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5, find everything from handcrafted gifts to pet and spa products at the free 15th annual St. Pete Beach Corey Area Craft Festival. The festival is at 595 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach.

Dec. 19

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Dec. 19, about 30 vendors will park themselves at ARTpool Vintage Boutique for the Art, Craft and Vintage Holiday Sale. The free family-friendly event features baked goods and hot cider as well as arts, crafts, clothing, furniture and vintage wares by local artists and crafts people. The gallery is at 919 First Ave. in St. Petersburg. Visit www.artpoolgallery.com for information.

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