Downtown Sarasota hosts Spring Craft Fair

Robin Eisenberg and her husband Richard Eisenberg enjoyed looking up at the colorful displays of ocean scenes that surrounded them in the tent of artist Chris Gug. 

“We love this. It’s very cool stuff,” she said. 

Gug was one vendor at the 5th Annual Downtown Sarasota Spring Craft Fair, held at Selby Five Points Park by Howard Alan Events from May 3-4. 

The event brought together artisans selling items such as jewelry, ceramics, photography, painting and clothing, as well as a green market with plants, including exotic flora and orchids.

Gug said thanks to shows such as this one he’s been successful enough to live in other countries, where he takes many of his photos, and is now preparing to leave for Indonesia.

“I get a lot of interest," he said. "There's a mix from scuba divers to people who just don't believe this is real, but were drawn into the booth because those colors match the color of the pillows on the couch."

He said a growing area like Sarasota provides a market for his work. 

“I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that there's so much new home construction, and when do people need large, two dimensional wall art? Right after they've renovated or built a new place," he said.