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© St. Petersburg Times, published December 5, 2002
SARASOTA -- The largest indoor juried fine craft show in Florida starts Friday, sponsored by the American Craft Council, with 237 artists showing wares from large furniture to exquisite jewelry.
Collectors will recall that the craft council brought the show to Tampa for several years, but after disappointing attendance and exit polls revealing that the majority of buyers came from south of the Sunshine Skyway bridge, it moved to Robarts Sports Arena.
Collectors and holiday shoppers will find nationally known craft artists not routinely shown in this area. Among them are Michael Mode, a popular artist who works in turned wood; Valerie Hector, a beaded jewelry artist whose work has been shown at the Smithsonian Institution; glass artist Wesley Hunting; Mary Jackson, who brings a contemporary touch to traditional African-American sweetgrass basket weaving; and K. Sarah Kaufmann, a fiber artist.
Unlike most art shows, this one charges admission. Light food and soft drinks are sold, but no entertainment or children's activities are offered. This is an event for serious buyers.
Robarts arena is in the 3000 block of Fruitville Road in Sarasota. From Interstate 75 take the Fruitville Road exit. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free parking. Admission is $7 for adults or $12 for a two-day pass. Children under 12 are free. (941) 365-0559.