The 10th Annual American Art Festivals season—the best ever in quality and variety—returns to three California cities this fall and winter. The festivals each feature more than 200 of America's best contemporary craftspeople and fine artists and each offers more than 15,000 original works. The events have become not only the premier art and craft shows in California, but are also developing into some of the top art festivals in the county; many of the artists who exhibit at such renowned events as the Sausalito Art Festival, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver, and the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, now also exhibit at American Art Festivals. The festival, unlike many other fairs, is strictly juried with exhibitors selected for the originality and quality of their work. Festival visitors have the rare opportunity to actually meet and talk with these talented artists and craftspeople that have come to California from across the nation. Various exhibitors will also be demonstrating how they make their unique items.
Strolling through the festival, attendees will see a vast selection of extraordinary work. Ceramic artists, for example, are exhibiting their stoneware, porcelain or raku works, offering clay creations ranging from functional hand-thrown plates, cups, tea sets and vases, to whimsical sculptures and hand-made tile tables. Or consider wood. Woodworkers, each specializing in the carving, turning or laminating of a variety of domestic or exotic woods, are offering such works as candlesticks, salad bowls, jewelry boxes, tables, lamps, and chairs.
In fine art, painters working in watercolors, oils, pastels, and acrylics, are displaying traditional and modern, landscape and still life, animal and floral, portrait and abstract, whimsical and surrealistic, originals and limited-edition prints. And sculptors are exhibiting works ranging from bronzes that fit on the mantle to giant welded assemblages suitable for the yard. Regarding personal adornment, jewelers working with gold and silver, enamel and fabric, precious and semi-precious gemstones, are offering rings and necklaces, earrings and pendants, bracelets and brooches, constructed or cast, forged or fused, simple or elaborate.
Attendees can also shop from a wondrous selection of handmade wearables and accessories or from an extensive assortment of functional and decorative glass. In fact, every category of fine art and contemporary craft—including drawings, printmaking, photography, decorative fiber, leather, metal, stone, and two and three-dimensional mixed media—is thoroughly represented by a variety of exhibitors. Shoppers will find spectacular works of art and craft in all price ranges for themselves, their homes, and as one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.
In addition to all the visual art, the festival features continuous Main Stage musical entertainment including jazz, blues and world music groups. And hungry festivalers can dine at the International Food Court from a variety of specialty offerings.
