San Dieguito Art Guild presents its third annual Holiday Bazaar Nov. 30 at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center.
While providing artists a venue to present their work directly to the public, the event offers the public an opportunity to view more work of Guild artists typically limited by the compact space of SDAG’s Off Track Gallery located in the Lumberyard Shopping Center in Encinitas. All of the 30 artists participating in the Holiday Bazaar are members of SDAG and selected for this event by the Guild’s jury committee.
The San Dieguito Art Guild, an over-200 member all-volunteer nonprofit organization, serves the community by offering frequent art workshops and demonstrations conducted by professional artists. Guild members are actively engaged in performing tasks necessary for the organization to continue its successful operation.
SDAG was organized in 1965 by a group of 12 artists for the purpose of promoting greater understanding and appreciation of the fine arts in the coastal North County cities from Del Mar to Leucadia. Although the physical location of SDAG’s gallery has changed many times through its history, the Guild has maintained the essence of its original mission.
For 19 years the extremely popular Mother’s Day Weekend Art and Garden Tour, SDAG’s largest annual fundraiser, has helped support the operations of the Off Track Gallery and art programs that benefit the community.
The 2013 event planning committee, which consists of three SDAG members working tirelessly to prepare for the Bazaar, include watercolor and jewelry artist Linda Melvin, currently serving as Off Track Gallery manager; ceramicist Karen Fidel, the Guild’s membership chair; and fused glass artist Carol Korfin, SDAG’s web mistress.
Gourd artist Grace Swanson, event organizer for the past two SDAG holiday art sales, serves as advisor for this year’s Bazaar. She states, “This event gives local artists a venue to offer their hand-made items to the public and gives the shoppers a chance to purchase one-of-a-kind artworks which cannot be found in the malls. In addition, the buyer is purchasing work directly from the artist and can meet them face to face.”
She adds, “Buying from artists directly really encourages each artist to produce more and keep going. Even though selling artwork is not primary focus for most artists, it is a validation of their efforts.”
Event co-organizer Carol Korfin suggests, “Even if you have been to our Holiday Bazaar in the past, there are new artists and new items to see.” One artist new to the Bazaar this year is Steve Lutzker, who creates unique journals with leather covers and unusual clasps.
Korfin continues, “We try to have a balanced mix of mediums, so you will find photographers, watercolorists, oil or acrylic painters and as well as multi-media artists.”
Among the artists working in less traditional mediums are gourd artist Grace Swanson, mosaic artist Terry Oshrin, decorative box artist Jackie Bissell, and recycled computer parts artist Harvey Korfin.
A wide variety of creative treasures will be displayed by several jewelers including Linda Melvin, Dolores Renner, Karla Nederloff, Ellen Cramer, Judianne Shannon, Cindy Alcoset, Phyllis Rothbart, Patricia Watkins, Diann Abadie, Cheryl DeLain, and Carol Cretella.
Returning to the bazaar this year are ceramic artists Karen Fidel and Lily Pourat, as well as glass artists Carol Korfin and Bobbie Hirschkoff.
Participating photographers include Bruce Stewart, Kathy Chin, and Peggy Stokes, joined by painters Toni Williams, Ellie Thomas, Sunny Johnson, Rebecca Toft, Jennifer Grum, Jo-Ann Dillon, and pastel painter Lana Grauer.
Korfin asserts, “You will find something for most people on your gift list… It will be a delightful feast for your eyes.”
The public is invited to attend the third annual SDAG Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 30 in the banquet hall of the Encinitas Community and Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive off Balour. Admission to the Bazaar and ample parking are free.
Kay Colvin is director of the L Street Fine Art Gallery in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, serves as an arts commissioner for the City of Encinitas, and specializes in promoting emerging and mid-career artists. Contact her at [email protected].
