8th Annual American Fine Craft Show Sarasota Returns to Robarts Arena
December 2,3,4, 2016
This juried show of premier craft and fine art features works in clay, wood, glass, fiber, mixed-media, jewelry and more by more than 100 of the nation’s top artists. More than 20 Sarasota-Manatee artists are featured.
(Sarasota, FL) The American Fine Craft Show Sarasota returns to Sarasota, December 2, 3, 4, at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., in Sarasota. The event, now in its eighth year, features exceptional works in ceramics, decorative fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed-media, paper, wearable art, wood, painting, photography and sculpture by more than 100 of the nation’s top artists. Tickets are $11 per day; $10 for seniors; $6 for students; and $13 for a three-day pass. Children under 10 are admitted free. Buy online now for discounted tickets at: www.sarasotacraftshow.com. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, December 2, and Saturday, December 3, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, December 4. For directions or information about the venue, please call 941-365-0818. For more information about the artists and the event, call 845-355-2400, or visit www.sarasotacraftshow.com.
The American Fine Craft Show Sarasota is produced by Richard Rothbard and his wife Joanna, who are hailed the leaders in promoting artists and artisans working in the contemporary fine arts and crafts industry. The Rothbards have owned An American Craftsman Galleries NYC since 1982 and produce some of the most innovative fine craft shows in the country, including the American Fine Craft Show NYC, Contemporary Art Fair NYC, the Rockefeller Arts Festival in Manhattan, the Berkshires Arts Festival and the American Fine Craft Show at the Brooklyn Museum.
“Our artists consider the Sarasota region to be a prime market for their work,” says Richard Rothbard. “With that reputation, some of the best artists in the nation, including many from Sarasota’s own arts community, look forward to this show every year.”
Rothbard notes that the indoor ambience offers a civilized alternative to crowded outdoor art fairs. “It’s a more personal experience,” he says. “You can take your time, visit with the artists, and start a real conversation about their work. And Mother Nature won’t ruin that conversation if she gets in a bad mood, thanks to the controlled, air-conditioned environment. The sun’s not beating down on you—or hiding behind clouds. Artists can show their work in literally the best light.”
Last year, the Sarasota Craft Show, which relocated to Robarts Arena in 2012, attracted more than 5,000 visitors over the three-day event. Continuing to build on that success, Rothbard and his team have been busy with their rigorous process of selecting the 100+ artists and artisans for the Sarasota show. Regional artists who will be featured at this year’s show include the celebrated wearable art and jewelry designer, Joan Michelin and her husband, painter Skip Ennis; mixed-media artists Su Griggs and Elizabeth Allen; potter Lee Bell; furniture craftsman Keith Cadieux; glass artist Galina Chehirian; sculpture by Will Grant; fiber wearable art by Leeann Kroetsch, and hand-crafted jewelry by Pam Fox, Katherine Kaya and Adrian Johannes.
“We are always excited to see the high caliber of work being produced by the participating artists from this area,” says Rothbard.
For more information about the American Fine Craft Sarasota, call 845-355-2400 or visit www.sarasotacraftshow.com. To learn more about Richard Rothbard, visit www.boxology.com or email [email protected].
