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The
following juried shows are some of those I have attended since becoming
a licensed artesan in 2002.
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FERINART,
an International Festival of Artists
held every other year in Spring, is located in various public plazas
throughout Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Artists from around the globe
are invited to these shows, sponsored by the City of San Juan and
the Department of Tourism. These are a lot of fun, and for 8 days
performers from over 20 countries delight the crowds. |
Beautiful
glass jewelry and lamps from Colombian artist Daniel Castro |
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The
International Gourd Art Festival, held at the
Welburn Gourd Farm in Fallbrook, California each June, is one of the
most popular shows for gourd artists in the United States. Participants
from across the country, including Hawaii, and as far away as China
and me, here in Puerto Rico. Attended in 2007 and 2003. An annual
Gourd Art Competition, sponsored by the California Gourd Society,
is held in conjunction with the festival. A show dedicated exclusively
to Gourd Art, it draws thousands of visitors annually. |
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Artesan
Festivals at Plaza las Americas
are held every January and June. This mall, the largest on the island,is
(rumor has it) the most money-making mall per square foot in the entire
United States. Go figure. In the capital of San Juan, Puerto Rico,
these shows are some of my favorites (for obvious reasons). I have
been attending whenever possible since 2003. |
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San Sebastian Annual Street Fair, held every January in
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, began initially as a small celebration
showcasing local artists, but has become one of the largest, most
popular festivals on the island. At one time the crowds got quite
rowdy, causing the city to ban the use of glass containers on the
street, but now it's 4 days of partying in beautiful, historic Old
San Juan, with its cobblestone streets and colorful houses. The Instituto
de Cultura Puertorriqueña has a juried competition for artists
to display in the Antiguo Cuartel de Ballajá, or Old Barracks
of the historic fort (right). I once tried to do both this fair and
the January show at Plaza las Americas (see above), and although it
was a great experience all-round, it was too much and I've opted for
the mall. You must remember, I live on a boat in a small fishing community. |
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Annual
Bacardi Festival, held the first and second Sundays of
December, is sponsored by the Bacardi Corporation of Cataño,
Puerto Rico. 125 artists from around the island are invited for each
Sunday, making this juried show highly prized among the thousands
of registered artists around the island. I have been attending annually
since 2003, and in 2005 created a custom wine bottle holder which
was presented to Sr. Angel Torres, the President of Bacardi Corporation. |
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New
York's own Ray Rosario is becoming one Puertorriqueno to watch!
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Primera
Feria y Exposicion Annual de Artesanos Puertorriquenos,
The First Annual Puerto Rican Festival at Hunter
College in Manhattan, was held in November 2006. The festival
was well received by the local Puerto Rican community, and introduced
many to Puerto Rican art, food and music. A real treat for me was
being able to stay with my family in New Jersey. A good time was had
by all! |
I
talked Sis into helping with the show. |
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Fiesta del Acabe del Café de Maricao,
or Coffee Festival, held in the charming mountain town of Maricao
each February. Sponsored by the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña,
it's a lively festival where the streets are closed to everything
but pedestrian traffic, and everyone parties until almost midnight.
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I
have been invited to different shows all around the island, and some
have certainly been more enjoyable than others, but hands down, the
most beautiful spot to sell is during Christmastime at the Villa
Montana Beach Resort in lovely Isabela, on the Northwest
corner of the island. Under the shade of a palm tree and with this
beachfront view, can you blame me? For more information, see their
website: www.villamontana.com
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