Weekend Fair Brings Crafts and Art Galore

Attendees took advantage of the array of crafts packed into the during the combination event on Saturday and Sunday.

With 18 artists under one roof displaying everything from musical turtles to a six-foot long bear blanket, attendees had quite the sight.

 “I’ve seen some really beautiful paintings. The work by Joanne and by Nacho has moved me. Nacho is actually an acquaintance of mine from art school at , so it’s nice to see his work flourishing,” Gilroy resident Amanda Marshall-Kapp said.

“There’s really quite a variety of jewelry, crocheting, wearable art, food, and then there’s also some more down-home crafts like dolls and baby blankets.  It’s a really nice mix. “

Ignacio Maya, a.k.a. “Nacho,” had an abundance of colorful acrylic, oil and illustrated art works picturing everything from fruit, to a political illustration symbolizing the impact of America’s continual wars on the country.

“I’m more into expressional art, to express myself with my painting,” he said.

Local artist JoAnne Perez-Robinson not only had a display of autumn-themed artwork available, but said she works to keep her art affordable by painting on canvas of varied sizes. Her smallest paintings are no bigger than a standard business card, and they continue to grow from there.

Oct. 15 and 16 was the second time the two-day event graced art-center floors,  after officials decided to take a break last year. Saturday wasn’t the busiest of days, according to Clara Fayette, Gilroy Arts Alliance member and vendor coordinator for the fair, but business soon took off by Sunday with spectators flowing in from the next store farmer’s market

 “We collaborated with the farmer’s market, and it augmented us as well as them, so it worked out really, really well. We had a steady stream of people and I think the vendors are pretty well pleased,” Fayette said.

Morgan Hill resident Beverly Roth, who had her handcrafted greeting cards, head bands and unique totes constructed of recycled plastic bags on display, said she was beginning to develop doubts about the event before Sunday’s success.

“This is only the second time I’ve done this, and I was about to give up because I didn’t have too good of luck before, because it didn’t bring the people out that much, but when the people come out it’s great,” she said.

The weekend event also functioned as a preview to the art alliance’s November and December fair, where many of the same vendors will be participating. Fayette said the alliance is shooting for 20 vendors for their December event, which will be held in partnership with resident Kevin Heath’s Limelight Actors Theater.

Among the many participants were Kris Hollcraft of Morgan Hill, Donetta and Gary Hamilton of Hook, Yarn and Crafts, Stefanie Barnes of Simply Said designs, Vickie Bermea of lia sophia jewelry, Maryanne Collom of Gilroy, and Deborah Lee and Bonnie Riley of Heirlooms Nouvea.

Many of the same artists will be participating in the Fall Boutique event at Fortino Winery on Nov. 19 and 20, as well as the December event at Limelight’s Bring Your Owner Dinner Theater on the 3rd and 4th.

December attendees will have the chance to shop for Christmas creations, while enjoying food and entertainment from the Sorry! Wrong Chimney! production  by Jack Sharkey and Leo W. Sears.