Hmmm, at this point in the middle of summer, where can one go to fill all one’s one-of-a-kind sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, and jewelry needs? Look no further than the southern shores of Town Lake, where the Spirit Echoes Fine Art Festival is offering original treasures by artists from across the nation. Close to 100 arts and crafts professionals will be exhibiting their wares, ranging from vintage jewelry by the Zuni and Navajo tribes to contemporary gold and silver jewelry by 2005 festival “Showcase Artist” Barry Perez; from the popular Southwestern prints of parttime Austinite Amado Peña to the Lone Star-themed paintings of official 2006 Texas State Artist George Boutwell; from the bronzed bowls of Phil May to the candy-colored blown glass of Austin’s Aaron Gross, among others. Some of these artists will offer demonstrations of their techniques on the hour. And there’s a good cause being served in all this: The festival has designated VSA arts of Texas, a nonprofit supporting artists with disabilities, as a recipient of proceeds from the event. VSA willÊhave a distinct presence at the festival, hosting a children’s art activity center with hands-on activities for the kids and exhibits featuring work by some of its artists. (For more information, visit www.vsatx.org.)
The Spirit Echoes Fine Art Festival will be Saturday, July 9, 10am-7pm, and Sunday, July 10, 11am-5pm, at the Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd. For more information, call 345-0706 or visit www.spiritechoes.com.
This article appears in July 8 • 2005.