While last weekend's Festival of the Written Arts drew visitors to Rockwood in Sechelt, two arts and crafts groups sought to lure the public to other shows within walking distance from the festival grounds.
The Seaside Centre looked dazzling Aug. 12 through 14 with a full show of juried art work from ACE (Art Craft Excellence) on display, ranging from such unusual items as a real ladybug preserved in resin to three dimensional fresco paintings.
"For a first time show with a limited advertising budget," said organizer Eric Allen Montgomery, "we had a very good turnout from the public. Many were obviously from the writers' festival. Many were local, and we had visitors from Prince George, Kelowna, Calgary, Seattle ÑÊeven Christchurch, New Zealand."
The suggested entrance fee/donation was a success. ACE raised more than $300 for the Sunshine Coast Arts Council's Youth Artist Awards Program.
"I found it interesting how many times I had someone local express delight that the show was so high in quality, and amazementÊthat 22 of the 25 artists were from the Coast," he said.
Across the road, on the Sechelt Elementary School field, about 40 local artisans gathered in the hot sun to sell their pottery, soaps, sculpture and decorative painting in a show called Arts and Crafts from the 'Hood.
Organizer Els Mol estimated that more than 500 people toured the one-day show. Sales were mixed, with some artisans earning only small amounts and others, such as sculptor Roland de Wilde, selling a major piece by the end of the day.
Mol is keen to see artists and crafters from the Coast promote their own wares better; for this show, she owes a lot to people with ideas.
"Sue Kannakko of Kindglass did the art work for the pamphlet," she said. "Don and Cornelia (Blue Shoe ceramics) helped me Friday evening to draw the spaces on the field, and jeweller Peggy Collins helped with the articles. Marguerite Kotwitz of Amazon Earthworks had some great suggestions to maximize success."
Four local drummers, known as The Drumheads, drew onlookers by performing between festival events. Mol plans to use the same format for next year's craft show, and she also intends to work on the winter's Best of the Rest Christmas show in Sechelt.
"I'd just like to shake things up a bit because most craft fairs are the same old, same old stuff," she said. "We need to put some new life into the events."
