University Place hosts first resident art festival

UNIVERSITY PLACE — Rob Gerdin awoke at 3 a.m. one morning to the idea that changed the course of his future.

He and his wife, Wendy, were building a home in Colorado at the time, and Rob Gerdin was determined to break up the visual monotony of 2,000 porch spindles. Gerdin’s big early-morning idea was to create nature scenes out of metal to replace some of the wooden pieces.

And now that idea — one that has turned into a successful artistic railing and home décor business — has spun off into yet another artistic venture for Gerdin, who moved to University Place in February.

His new product line, called “Metal Meets Canvas,” is a 22-piece, fine-arts series that combines the metalwork and design Gerdin used in his railings with traditional canvas paintings for backdrops.

“I’m very interested in the reaction of people in the community,” Rob Gerdin said. “This is a new style I’m designing. I want to do something no other artist is doing.”

This weekend, Gerdin will be getting the feedback he seeks while showcasing his work in his own community for the first time during University Place’s first Fall Arts and Crafts Festival. The event, which is free and open to the public, will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5, at the community’s Charles Town pool area, 7805 Charleston St. The show features a variety of arts and crafts — everything from mixed media, paintings and woodworking to jewelry, knit items and candy — made by University Place residents.

“It broadens our exposure to the community,” said event organizer Mary Puncec, who creates jewelry from vintage beads and also will have her work displayed at the show. “We’re really going to be bringing in people from the outside who are going to attend our event. It’s a wonderful way for the artists here in the community to get to know each other, as well.”

Nearly 20 artists, including the Gerdins, are being featured in the show.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

Fall Arts and Crafts Festival
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5
WHERE: University Place, 7805 Charleston Street
COST: Free
WEBSITE: www.universityplace-fl.com