• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Spirit of America
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Spirit of America
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Artists and craftsmen shine at 7th Annual Sarasota Craft Show

Over 100 of the nation's best artisans and artists set up shop in Robarts Arena for the seventh annual arts and craft show.


  • By Nick Reichert
  • | 1:22 p.m. December 4, 2015
  • Arts + Culture
  • Share

One of the most popular craft shows in Florida has returned to the Robarts Arena. Over 100 artisans and craftsmen will be stationed inside and outside the arena for the seventh annual Sarasota Craft Show from Dec. 4 through 6 displaying and selling their detailed and unique wares. 

"Our artists consider the Sarasota region to be a prime market for their work," says Richard Rothbard, co-producer of the Sarasota Craft Show along with his wife Joanna. "With that reputation, some of the best artists in the nation, including many from Sarasota’s own arts community, look forward to this show every year." 

In addition to the dozens of artists featured from around the country, several local Sarasota artists will be present display their latest works including painter Judy Dempsey; ceramist Geoff Walsh; jewelers Joan Michlin, Skip Ennis, Pam Fox, Katherine Kaya, and Beth Lonsinger; glass artist Susan Gott; and mixed-media artists Su Griggs, Amy Lennard Gmelin, and Elaine Laurent.

 

Carl Caristo shows off his intricate and detailed butterfly jewelry.
Carl Caristo shows off his intricate and detailed butterfly jewelry.
Carl Caristo shows off his intricate and detailed butterfly jewelry.
Carl Caristo shows off his intricate and detailed butterfly jewelry.
Ben Foster joined by his sleep brown bear wooden piece he completed this summer at the Sarasota Craft Show.
Ben Foster joined by his sleep brown bear wooden piece he completed this summer at the Sarasota Craft Show.
A lifelike wooden carving of an American Bald Eagle by Ben Foster.
A lifelike wooden carving of an American Bald Eagle by Ben Foster.
Scott Causey and his ceramic animal sculptures.
Scott Causey and his ceramic animal sculptures.
Steve Palmer and his artisan hand-made glass.
Steve Palmer and his artisan hand-made glass.
David Goldhagen's ornamental glass.
David Goldhagen's ornamental glass.
David Goldhagen's ornamental glass.
David Goldhagen's ornamental glass.
Elan Smadar Livne's colorful depiction of an European canal scene.
Elan Smadar Livne's colorful depiction of an European canal scene.
John Mascall's pottery featured in the Sarasota Craft Show.
John Mascall's pottery featured in the Sarasota Craft Show.
Jim and Jo Cook hanging outside Robarts Arena selling their colorful garden fixtures at the Sarasota Craft Show
Jim and Jo Cook hanging outside Robarts Arena selling their colorful garden fixtures at the Sarasota Craft Show
Steven Potts fusion of pottery and mineral art at the Sarasota Craft Show
Steven Potts fusion of pottery and mineral art at the Sarasota Craft Show
Steven Potts fusion of pottery and mineral art at the Sarasota Craft Show
Steven Potts fusion of pottery and mineral art at the Sarasota Craft Show
Michael Mode's original wood bowl designs at the Sarasota Craft Show.
Michael Mode's original wood bowl designs at the Sarasota Craft Show.
Herb Rosenburg's original glass containers and art pieces at the Sarasota Craft Show.
Herb Rosenburg's original glass containers and art pieces at the Sarasota Craft Show.
Susan Cott in front of her hand-made glass statuary.
Susan Cott in front of her hand-made glass statuary.
The Robarts Arena is full of over 100 artists' stands selling their handcrafted artwork and wares.
The Robarts Arena is full of over 100 artists' stands selling their handcrafted artwork and wares.

 

Latest News

A rendering of the Fruitville Road elevation of the 1899 Fruitville project.
  • July 3, 2026
1899 Fruitville apartment development advances
Changes to the city of Sarasota's public parking program means longer enforcement hours and higher fines.
  • July 2, 2026
City parking changes are now in effect
The city allowed a food truck to set up at the Lido Pavilion during a 2019 concession renovation project.
  • July 2, 2026
City to mull food trucks in downtown zone district
Ben Quartermaine was hired by Sarasota County to head up the new Stormwater Department, tasked to help prevent future flooding from tropical weather events and maintain runoff water quality.
  • July 2, 2026
Sarasota County stormwater budget request swells by 73%

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Arts + Culture

Hand balancer Yelitza Vivas wows the crowd at the Summer Circus Spectacular, which runs through Aug. 8 at The Ringling's Historic Asolo Theater.
  • July 1, 2026
The Summer Circus Spectacular is a family affair
Andy Sandberg is artistic director and CEO of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, an artist incubator based in Englewood.
  • June 29, 2026
Hermitage Artist Retreat strengthens its ties with Broadway
A visitor to Sarasota Art Museum takes a photo of David Hockney's "Inside It Opens Up As Well," which collector Stanton Storer loaned to the museum for "Something Borrowed, Something New."
  • June 24, 2026
Collectors lend their treasures to Sarasota Art Museum for blockbuster exhibition
Jerome and Kathryn Chesley pose in their living room surrounded by colorful glass art that they've collected over the years.
  • June 22, 2026
Sarasota couple are cultural ambassadors, together and separately
Most of the action in Asolo Repertory Theatre's "Lady Disdain" takes place in a studio where romantasy audiobooks are recorded.
  • June 17, 2026
Asolo Rep's 'Lady Disdain' brings the Bard into age of romantasy, revenge porn
Cristela Carrizales stars in Lifeline Productions' "Begin Again Badge," which runs through June 21 at the Cook Theatre in FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
  • June 15, 2026
Lifeline Productions follows a Girl Scout who grows up and conquers her demons

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free