The second annual Garden State Art and Craft Festival, organized by Cottage Crafts, will be held on Oct. 16-17 at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Exit 116 on the Garden State Parkway, Holmdel. In addition to 225 crafters and artists there will be live country music and a large selection of food vendors. There is a $5 admission fee; children 12 and under are free.
The juried fall art and craft show will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Traditional fall festival crafts including harvest theme pottery, fall wood and metal sculptures and floral creations will be featured. Collections of unique hand-crafted gifts, fine art and photography will add to the excellence of work that is selected for display and sale. Christmas and Hanukkah crafts will also be available.
Decorative painting, gourd art, wood furniture, hand-painted boxes, beadwork, china chard jewelry, brass rubbings, dolls, folk art, glass, clothing, birdhouses created from exotic woods, and aromatherapy sacs are among the products that are expected to be on display.
“There will be something for everyone”, said Anita Means, craft festival promoter. “My shows always partner with prominent nonprofits like CPC in order to promote community sharing and advocacy. You can purchase a raffle ticket for a one-of-a-kind heirloom quilt created by CPC quilters who produced this quilt to benefit CPC Behavioral Healthcare, Monmouth County. All proceeds will be donated to CPC for its efforts to provide mental health care, addiction recovery and special education services to the children and families of Monmouth County, regardless of their ability to pay.”
Means announced that artist-turned-author Bruce Garrabrant will be signing copies of his personal development book, “The Power of Having Desire,” throughout the festival. Garrabrant offers a different view on talent.
“We don’t need talent. We’re already gifted – with desires – and the potential to develop these talents and abilities,” he said.
Means, the Cottage Crafts founder, is marking her 21st year in the crafts business and has dedicated this fall festival to showcasing American-made hand-crafted works. For more information call Anita Means at (732) 946-3229 or visit www.cottagecraftshows.com.