TCH to host artists at festival, fair
Residents and visitors will have the chance to shop for that perfect holiday gift this weekend.
Held in partnership with Boulderbrook Productions, The Community House will host the Sanibel Master Art Festival on Nov. 24-25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring about two dozen artists. On Nov. 26, TCH will hold its monthly Arts & Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., showcasing nearly 50 vendors.
SANIBEL MASTER ART FESTIVAL
The 26th annual event will consist of artists skilled in a range of mediums, including painting, photography, jewelry, sculpture, glass, clay and more. This year’s featured artist for the festival will be painter Thom Millsap, based out of Naples. He has been a professional artist for over 20 years.
“The spontaneity, action and the beauty of the moment is what Thom strives for whenever his brush touches the canvas,” Richard Sullivan, owner of Boulderbrook Productions, said. “His work reflects the wonderful charms of Sanibel and Southwest Florida.”
“Inspiration for paintings is a diverse montage of Thom’s travels,” he added. “The flowers on a table may be from a hotel in Spain, the vase from a shop in London, the rocking chairs from a house on Sanibel and the landscape appearing thru a window has been inspired by the views from ‘Tween Waters on Captiva.”
TCH Executive Director Teresa Riska-Hall explained that she and Sullivan have worked together for years and he organizes festivals statewide. Usually held outside, this year’s event will take place inside.
“Because of the not knowing of whether or not The Community House would be ready or if the community would be ready for a full-blown art festival,” she said.
Riska-Hall reported that the artists will come from all over.
“A lot are coming from inside of the state, but there are a few coming from outside of it,” she said. “Which is bringing that money into our area and is very important right now.”
ARTS & CRAFT FAIR
Celebrating local artisans and the resilience of the islands, the event will feature handmade and homemade arts and crafts. There will be an eclectic array of original art in diverse mediums on display, including paintings, shell crafts, jewelry, baskets, night lights, pottery, hand-sewn items such as pillows, housewares, glass art, baked goods and culinary items, greeting cards, wearable art and more.
“The mission of The Community House is to enrich the community spirit,” Riska-Hall said.
Most of the vendors are involved with local groups, such as the Sanibel-Captiva Art League.
“They’ll meet people from their own community working in the profession,” she said.
Attendees will have the opportunity to mingle and meet the artists.
“It gives us the opportunity to meet local people and also to help sustain the local area,” Riska-Hall said. “Because those artists have been severely hit with challenges.”
Some of the vendors participating in the Sanibel Master Art Festival will be taking part.
“A couple of the artists are going to be the same that Sunday,” she said.
The three days of activities will benefit TCH and help support its post-hurricane rebuild.
There is a suggested donation for the Sanibel Master Art Festival.
“We have, in the past, had very generous donations at the gate,” Riska-Hall said. “We appreciate everything that comes in.”
There is no suggested donation for the Arts & Craft Fair.
“But there will be a jar at the Shellcrafters’ table,” she said. “All that money comes back to TCH.”
The community is welcome to swing by and browse the treasures.
“I think we’re at a critical time with people and their psyche. It’s been a long haul and it’s very traumatic for a lot of people,” Riska-Hall said, referring to last year’s Hurricane Ian and the ongoing recovery since. “I think it is important to see there is a step into the future that we’re going to.”
She added that it was all smiles and laughter at last month’s fair.
“To see all these people come out and be a part of the community,” Riska-Hall said. “I just think that’s an important part of our healing process out here.”
For more information, visit https://sanibelcommunityhouse.net/.
For questions, contact TCH at 239-472-2155; the office will be closed on Nov. 23-24.
The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Sanibel Master Art Festival
When
Nov. 24-25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where
The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
IF YOU GO
What
Arts & Craft Fair
When
Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where
The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel