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Craft Fest brings statewide talent to Sarasota

For two days, the inner Circle was awash in artists and crafters.


  • By Nat Kaemmerer
  • | 7:53 p.m. June 13, 2021
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share

The inner circle of St. Armands Circle was bustling with artists, crafters and happy shoppers on June 12 and 13 during the 20th annual St. Armands Circle Craft Festival. 

"Look at the turnout, and it's June," photographer Mary Lou Johnson said. "People are out and they're buying." 

Other artists and crafters enjoyed similar business boons in the morning, before the sweltering day melted patience. There were over 150 vendors at the festival over the weekend and visitors to the area flocked to the tents, despite the heat over the weekend. Artists were keeping an eye on dwindling stock at the end of June 12, hoping to have enough to carry them through the next day. 

St. Armands Circle holds another art show in the winter, though that one has more of a focus on fine arts. Here, there were useful and beautiful crafts, a flower stand, a few booths with artisan foods and even a custom leather-working booth. 

Shoppers stopped at the plentiful flower stand.
Shoppers stopped at the plentiful flower stand.
Dave Goshorn
Dave Goshorn
Tracie Brown
Tracie Brown
Art by Kevin Kennedy features shark teeth that the artist dives for.
Art by Kevin Kennedy features shark teeth that the artist dives for.
Gayle Foshee
Gayle Foshee
Carlos and Patricia Campuzano
Carlos and Patricia Campuzano
Dave Wennick shows his solar-powered beach table.
Dave Wennick shows his solar-powered beach table.
Dave Wennick
Dave Wennick
Rachael Varga
Rachael Varga
Kim Gandy's gel candles are clear and hold tiny treasures inside.
Kim Gandy's gel candles are clear and hold tiny treasures inside.
Kim Gandy with her gel candles.
Kim Gandy with her gel candles.
Sherry Wallace, Mary Lou Johnson and Shannon Cohen
Sherry Wallace, Mary Lou Johnson and Shannon Cohen
Shoppers passed through the booths, doing their best to avoid others.
Shoppers passed through the booths, doing their best to avoid others.
Jeff King sits with his wall hooks.
Jeff King sits with his wall hooks.
Mary Lou Johnson signs a book.
Mary Lou Johnson signs a book.

 

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