Description and review of the Sacramento Arts Festival, an event held each year in November – just in time to start holiday shopping.
The Sacramento Arts Festival is an event I look forward to each year. This year the Arts Festival was back at the recently renovated and expanded SAFE Credit Union Convention Center (formerly the Sacramento Convention Center).
A friend and I decided to visit the Sacramento Arts Festival on Sunday, the last day of the three-day event. After purchasing our tickets at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center ticket window (adjacent to the plaza between it and the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center) we headed inside after donning our masks.
See related blog post: SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center
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Sacramento Arts Festival
The large ground floor ballroom was filled with vendors. The grid setup with wide aisles allowed easy movement as we made our way up and down the aisles. The venue was bustling, but it was not over-crowded.
Both of us took our time wandering the aisles as we admired the handiwork of the artisans. The goods on display were varied – wall art (watercolor, photography, etc.), sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, clothing, wood, stone, purses, mixed media, glass, furniture, candles, toys, gourmet food, Christmas décor, etc.
One of the things I enjoy about the Sacramento Art Festival is the ability to chat with the artists – who are very happy to discuss the creative process and their work. We engaged in several such conversations while admiring items for sale. Over the years I have purchased several works of art there that grace the walls of my home.
After making the first circuit around the room, we decided to backtrack and revisit some of the booths. I had an eye on a small gift for my daughter, and my friend wanted to look again at a display of Christmas Santa’s.
A Very Special Purchase
I made my purchase, and we then visited the booth of an older gentleman who with his wife has been hand-crafting beautiful collectable Santa’s for forty-two years. Richard, of Stone Soup Santa’s, explained that his wife Shelie hand-sculpted each face, and that all the clothing, etc. was made by hand of the highest quality materials. The quality and attention to detail was evident.
My friend had her eye on a particular Santa and his polar bear companion. Richard pointed out each of the many details that made this particular Santa special. It did not take long before he was carefully packing up her purchase so that we could be on our way.
As we left the building my friend shared that she knew just where in her home she was going to place her Santa. It had been a very successful day!
See related blog post: Annual Events in Sacramento
Enjoy arts and crafts festivals? See related blog post: Crocker Holiday Artisan Market
Comments?
Have you attended the Sacramento Arts Festival? What would you add?
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What was the price range of the Santa’s? I went to their website but couldn’t locate that information. I see they make 3 sizes.
I do not know the price range – but my friend paid $700 for the Santa in the photo. Hope this helps.