Albemarle County artists, artisans to sell at Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival

The Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival bring artists and artisan exhibitors to the area from throughout the United States (and Canada too!), but Albemarle County is strongly represented as well. Hometown pride is well-founded in this case – our local area is home to many talented and innovative handcrafters in a variety of media.

Elaine B Jewelry, from artist Elaine Butcher, is simple, modern, elegant and made right in Charlottesville. “I create tiny sculptural worlds using traditional jewelry materials,” the Artist writes in describing her work.

Hand-cut, sewn, and carved, Sharron Duvall’s leather wallets, belts, and books are like 3-dimensional paintings worked in the leather. Duvall, who lives and works in the Charlottesville area, searches for unique leathers that allow for variation in texture and technique. Beyond being a talented leatherworker, Duvall is an expert graphic artist, creating intricate designs and motifs in her chosen medium.

Working with many types and species of wood, Charlottesville artisan Jim Sprinkle ofMadera Wooden Bowls makes beautiful and functional wooden bowls, vases, plates, and more. Sprinkle, who had a previous career in construction and began turning bowls after retirement, uses a technique called “segmented turning” which involves fitting together many smaller pieces of wood before turning the entire block on the lathe to create the final piece. This technique allows the artist to use wood that may otherwise have been discarded, conserving a wonderful natural resource that has historically been used much faster than it can regenerate, and giving the artist another possibility for creative input in the process.

Other participating Exhibitors from the Charlottesville and Crozet area include: Janice Arone (pottery); Mary Ann Bowden (quilts); Christine Crisler (children’s clothing); Ben Greenberg (photography); Avery Groves (jewelry); Victoria Horner (handbags); Viesturs Osvaldo (glass); Miriam Picus (weaving); Steve Sargeant (stone candles); Angel Shockley (personal care items); Scott Supraner (ceramics); Meg West (painting).

The Crozet Fall Arts and Crafts Festival will take place Columbus Day weekend,October 10 & 11. Hours are Saturday 10-5:30 and Sunday 10-5. Adult admission is $6, kids under 12 are free and parking is free. Learn more and preview the participating Artist Exhibitors online at www.crozetfestival.com.