Sarasota Art & Craft Festival Returns to Main Street This Fall

Oct. 16, 2012 - PRLog -- WHAT:  18th Annual Downtown Sarasota Art & Craft Festival                     
WHEN: October 20-21, Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm       
                                                                       WHERE:  Main Street in Downtown Sarasota, from Lemon Avenue to 5 Points Park                                                                         Navigational Address: 1592 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
WHY:  To Support the Arts, the Local Community, & the Downtown Sarasota Alliance   
ADMISSION:  Free and open to the public
WEBSITE:  www.artfestival.com
CONTACT INFORMATION:  info@artfestival.com or 561-746-6615

Sarasota, Florida (October 16, 2012) – The Downtown Sarasota Art & Craft Festival returns to Main Street in downtown Sarasota on October 20 - 21, 2012 with 150 leading artists and crafters from 30 different states as well as local and regional talent.  This popular two-day outdoor showcase features unique and affordable quality art and crafts as well as a Green Market offering plants, exotic orchids, gourmet spices, dips and freshly popped kettle corn. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Downtown Sarasota Alliance.  Admission is free and open to the public.

This is just one of the many juried events that American Craft Endeavors and Howard Alan Events bring to Sarasota County each year including the popular Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts.   These highly anticipated events are popular for the fine artists and crafters as well as the quality art and crafts on display.

“Sarasota is a great venue for our art and craft shows,” says festival promoter Howard Alan.  “The town offers many interesting cultural events and our shows fit right it; we attract locals and tourists alike who have a great appreciation for the arts.”
All of the artists and crafters will be present for the duration of the festival available to discuss their techniques and inspiration.  The white-tented professional artist booths will span Main Street from Lemon Avenue to 5 points Park.  

In order to ensure a superior event with affordable original crafts and quality art, all of the crafters have been hand-selected from hundreds of applicants by American Craft Endeavors, producers of the top outdoor craft festivals in the country.

Whether you are a craft enthusiast or looking for that unique one-of-a-kind gift item, there is something for everyone. From folk art, pottery, handmade jewelry and paintings, to personalized gifts, handmade clothing, scented soaps and body products, a full spectrum of craft art mediums will be on display and for sale with prices ranging from as little as $3 to $3,000.

INFORMATION AT-A-GLANCE:

•   Juried outdoor craft showcase
•   Original crafts - Handmade in America
•   Unique and affordable gift items
•   150 crafters from 30 different states
•   Prices set to suit all budgets - ranging from as little as $3 to $3,000
•   Crafters hand-selected from hundreds of applicants
•   All crafters on site for duration of festival
•   Vast array of craft media:  
o   Folk art
o   Pottery
o   Handmade jewelry
o   Paintings
o   Personalized gifts
o   Handmade clothing
o   Scented soaps
o   Body products and much more
•   Green Market - plants, orchids, gourmet spices & dips, freshly popped kettle corn
•   A portion of the proceeds benefits the Downtown Sarasota Alliance.

For additional information on the 18th Annual Downtown Sarasota Art & Craft Festival and other American Craft Endeavors craft shows across the country, visit www.artfestival.com or call 561-746-6615.

Media Notes:

•   Show organizers and various crafters are available for advance interviews.
•   Photos of craft festivals, participating crafters and their work are available by contacting AnaBelle Dweck at anabelle@artfestival.com or 954-592-8500.

About American Craft Endeavors:

American Craft Endeavors (ACE) produces some of the nation’s most exciting high-end juried craft shows in many of Florida’s vibrant downtown areas and popular tourist destinations including the Lauderdale by the Sea Craft Festival (Fort Lauderdale, FL), the Holiday Craft Festival on the Ocean (Jupiter/Juno Beach, FL), the Downtown Stuart Craft Fairs (Stuart, FL), the Siesta Fiesta Craft Festival (Sarasota, FL) and the Downtown Sarasota Craft Festivals (Sarasota, FL) among others. The group’s founders personally select unique, culture rich cities for their show locations providing a complete outdoor experience unmatched by other festivals.  All crafters are hand-selected from hundreds of applicants in order to ensure a superior event featuring diverse art media and the highest quality of original handmade crafts.