Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
LENNIE BENNETTFlorida Craftmen's annual show of fine crafts has moved indoors, so it's easier than ever to enjoy the artists' works at leisure and to purchase one-of-a-kind gifts.
ST. PETERSBURG - What?
You haven't bought and wrapped your holiday gifts yet? You know, don't you, that only 41 days remain before Hanukkah and 58 days until Christmas.
Shoppers, the clock is ticking.
Sorry for getting your attention with that crass attempt at intimidation and anxiety-inducement. Truth is, I haven't done a thing and usually don't get serious until about Dec. 20.
This year, an incentive for early shopping, even for me, is CraftArt 2004. There's nothing like a unique, finely made gift to say you care.
CraftArt, organized by Florida Craftsmen, will be loaded with beautiful and interesting objects, but the show - which comes to St. Petersburg on Saturday and Sunday - does not aspire to be all things to all art-fair goers.
"It's a niche show," says Michael Murphy, the event's program director.
That means it is devoted to artists working in materials traditionally associated with craft: clay, wood, fiber, metal, paper and glass. And the work typically is functional - furniture, jewelry, vessels, baskets and clothing, for example.
We all know how blurry the line is between craft and art, aesthetic values versus the utilitarian. But organizers have clarified their definition of fine craft: What you will not find here are paintings, photography or commercially produced mugs and wind chimes.
In the past, CraftArt has been staged in Tampa. The move to the Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg was made, says Murphy, because it was easier logistically - St. Petersburg is the headquarters of Florida Craftsmen's offices, gallery and gift shop - and because of the appeal of an indoor venue.
"It will be very comfortable for visitors," Murphy says. "Most of the craft artists will be in the air-conditioned building. There is plenty of nearby parking. There are wood floors, not grass, and the aisles are 15 feet wide, a big plus for people with mobility problems."
The event is also much smaller than many outdoor shows that sell both art and craft, such as Mainsail, Gasparilla and, coming up on Nov. 6 and 7, Dunedin's Art Harvest.
Unlike those large shows, only about 110 craftsmen were selected to participate; some come from out of state but most are Floridians. Seventy will set up inside, with 40 or so in the parking lot along with food vendors.
"We have no desire to make it a 300-artist show," Murphy says. "It's small enough that you can walk through it very leisurely in two hours."
In addition to hot dogs, hamburgers, Cuban sandwiches and heartier fare sold outside, a coffee and dessert bar will be set up on the Coliseum's balcony by Mazzaro's, the popular Italian market.
A strong component of the event will be continuous craftmaking demonstrations. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days you can see up close the processes involved in wheel-thrown pottery, guitarmaking, cold glass embellishment and basketry.
However, unlike outdoor shows, a $5 admission will be charged. Children 12 and younger, students and members of Florida Craftsmen will be admitted for free. But no pets, please.
-- Lennie Bennett can be reached at 727 893-8293 or lennie@sptimes.com
PREVIEWCraftArt 2004 is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Admission is $5; students, children 12 and younger and members of Florida Craftsmen admitted free. 727 821-7391 or www.floridacraftsmen.net