Page 46 - October Sun Rays
P. 46
Preview: the 21st annual
Hill Country Arts & Crafts Fair
PHOTOS BY SHERRY MCRAE
These are just a few of the many treasures that can be found at the Hill Country Arts and Crafts Fair on Nov. 4 and 5.
By Josh Peterson the Arts and Crafts Fair for the last five help unload gear, monitor activity at the
years. These pens are hand-crafted from fair and shuttle folks back and forth to
If you’re looking for a perfect gift that materials like mesquite, deer antlers, the Legacy Hills Parks Pavilion where
can’t be found anywhere else in the bullet casings, coffee beans and more. there is extra parking.
world, come visit the 21st Annual They sell from anywhere between $10
Hill Country Arts and Crafts Fair on and $95 dollars. He says he routinely “The Rotary Club volunteers are amaz-
Nov. 4 and 5. Over 120 vendors from all does good business at the Arts and ing. They do all of this out of the good-
across Texas (and a few from outside of Crafts Fair, his table often located out- ness of their hearts,” Jenny said. Setup
it) each laden with unique handcrafted side in front of the Social Center. Coordinator Jim Brown and his crew
merchandise will be ready to supply you also play a crucial role in the fair’s as-
with original arts and crafts: clothes, “It’s a great opportunity to do holiday sembly. Over 80 man-hours are re-
blankets, books, treated driftwood, tie- shopping,” said Director of Lifestyle and quired for the fair’s installation and
dye goods, golf ball art, signs, soaps, Activities Jenny Phillips. “Many of the deconstruction which is supposed to end
gorgeous decorative eggs, pottery, pho- Sun City Chartered Clubs also sell their at 6 p.m. on Sunday night, but staff and
tography and more. wares here. The club members are so volunteers usually don’t leave until well
talented, and they usually sell a lot at after 9 p.m.
The Hill Country Arts and Crafts Fair the fair.”
prides itself on the quality of its ven- And let’s not forget how many hours all
dors. Each booth has been selected by a Anne Marshall, a photographer from those artists put into their work. Last
jury comprised of Sun City Texas resi- Neighborhood 4, will be selling pho- year, the Creative Clay and China Club
dents in order to maintain the highest tos along with other members of the displayed over 2.500 pieces and sold
level of excellence. Every product at the Photography Club. It’s her second time. 1,500. This year, all five of their rooms
fair must be handcrafted by the vendor “It’s just a celebration of all the people who as well as their windows will be filled.
and reflect talent, skill and creativity. come to it,” she said. “It’s a happy event. Their handcrafted bowls are their best
Commercially produced items are disal- People can just come by and see all the sellers. “We sell a lot of round things,”
lowed. Vendors are also limited by prod- art, and hopefully, they buy something.” Club President Laurie Mankin joked.
uct type to ensure that there is a varied “This event is our big deal. Last year,
selection. For instance, approximately Putting the Arts and Crafts Fair to- we had people lined up outside before we
16 jewelry vendors are admitted annu- gether is no easy feat. Jenny Phillips even opened.”
ally. This kind of planning helps give the and Lifestyle and Activities Assistant
fair a wider appeal by generating inter- Jan Crutchfield do the majority of the The 21st Annual Hill Country Arts and
esting diversification. planning. Planning starts the day im- Crafts Fair is your chance to see Texas
mediately after the fair is over in order and Sun City Texas artists, artisans
For example, Bill Harper (N3), a resi- to figure out what can be improved or if and craftspeople selling and displaying
dent who works in the Sun City Texas the layout worked well. Additionally, the their fine, one-of-a-kind creations. Make
Community Standards Department, event relies on the labor of over 30 mem- sure to stop by the Social Center on Nov.
has been selling custom-made pens at bers of the Sun City Rotary Club who 4 and 5. We can’t wait to see you there!
444 | SUNRAYS OCTOBER 2017 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
