Artisans’ Holiday Faire returns to Lorna Byrne Middle School gym this weekend offering buyers a variety of gifts for every taste and purse.
This will be the 11th annual event sponsored by Illinois River Valley Arts Council. The nonprofit group’s stated mission is to offer arts education and arts experiences for I.V. residents and visitors.
This year’s expanded entertainment program will include professional musicians Tim Wallace and Michelle LeComte at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by singer Kris Wildman accompanied by Nancy Lewis at 11 a.m. and I.V. High School band directed by Emily Warren at noon. The I.V. Chorus, directed by Kate Campbell, will sing Christmas carols at 1 p.m. Terry Davis will play the guitar at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The Sunday line-up includes Erica Bartoli at 10 a.m., harpist George Leverett at 11 a.m. and again at noon and the Dome School Children Choir directed by Krishel Moura at 1 p.m.
Artisans’ Holiday Faire is a free, family-friendly event which features handmade goods. Among the nearly three dozen artisan booths, visitors will find the following:
*Collaged ornaments from Faire founder Rebecca Pearson, sharing space with knitter Isobel Gaige and artist Trudy Stehelin.
*Jewelry makers Joyce Dodson, Sarah Peterson and Bobbie Blakely will each have their own booth of unique pieces, while Jacquie Bauwens will offer jewelry, painted wood ornaments and beaded hair items.
*Kendall Art Glass will feature hand-blown vases while Joshua Beach’s glass items range from special order to animals and pipes.
*Gifts for the home and hostess include Robin Jackson’s Christmas décor, glazed almonds and printed T-shirts and mugs while Jill Gruenberg will offer handmade pot holders and pillows.
*Roxanna Chestney’s dish scrubbies are popular stocking stuffers, as are Sandra Brierty’s body and aromatherapy products.
*Fiber artists Tricia and Carole Hanson will be selling knitted hats.
*Tina Haemmerlein, a licensed massage therapist, will be selling massage gift certificates, knitted hats and other items.
*Hank Ebert’s specialty is beautiful, sturdy totes made of upholstery fabrics.
*Dandelion Fields Alpaca and Siskiyou Alpaca share a booth of fiber arts, clothing and herbal body products.
*Zaynab Brown’s booth will feature a wide variety of items from fine art to jewelry and hand-dipped beeswax candles. Nanette Latimer’s booth includes kitchen linens, quilts and clothing art.
*Ruth Benson and Ginger Morrow’s display will include comfort pillows, tea towels and stuffed chickens and cows.
*Artist Alan Laurie returns with intricate 18-foot diameter Ojo de Dios mandalas.
*Fiona Barnacle will display hand printed illustrations on cards, patches and buttons and Charlotte Krebs will be showing her paintings of animals.
*Noralene Harland will display garden art and cement garden plaques, while Charlotte Gill will be selling her designs on ornaments, bookmarks, magnets and light switches.
*Amy Lusson will be selling body products and hand-felted animals.
IRVAC will operate a food concession with hot drinks, soups, stews, sandwiches and baked goods. The group will also provide a free kids’ craft table and a raffle of holiday décor and gifts.
Funds raised by this event will go toward IRVAC’s “Learning Through Arts” free program in I.V. public schools.
Lorna Byrne Middle School is located on Junction Avenue at Lister Street. Faire hours are Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You can visit www.irvac.org or call 541-592-4444 for information.
