Hold onto your Santa hat, the Holiday Art Festival is coming to the Aromas Grange Saturday, November 19 and Sunday November 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The annual Festival features superb art by local artisans, craft demonstrations, hands-on projects for all ages and fireside tables where one can enjoy a simple lunch or go straight to the huge assortment of homemade cookies. Add a cup of hot cider, coffee or tea, chat with friends and your festival experience is complete except for one thing … the Drawing!
The excitement builds as people crowd into the grange Sunday afternoon at 2:00, hoping to win something fabulous – 25 different handmade items will be awarded. Tickets are on sale as we speak and right up to the time of the drawing. Monies raised go to the Aromas Hills Artisans, helping pay a portion of their art class tuitions, and keeping this vital and civic-minded club in the black.
The renovated Aromas Community Grange welcomes you to explore its old-time warmth and treasures. The building sits at the crossroads of Santa Cruz County, Monterey County and San Benito County at the corner of Rose and Bardue. 400 Rose Avenue.
Just before you step into the Grange you’ll notice a spectacular show of succulents arranged in totally unexpected and beautiful ways by Shelly Trabucco.
Upon entering the building you’ll see beautiful pottery by Jane Rekedal to your left and fused glass pieces and encaustic creations by Kay Walters to your right. And it just keeps going like that, 30 artists under one roof, including a booth featuring books by three local authors.
Some of our favorite participants are: Laurie Tholen – small scale metal jewelry and her famous copper mermaids • George McCann – metal sculpture, jewelry and paintings • Andrea McCann – laser-etched wall art, jewelry and paintings • Kati D’Amore and her original oil paintings and calendar • Jacque Palmer demonstrates – bead weaving • Neil Ledford – hand-carved wood pieces • Rhoda Bloom – Fused glass. Joanne Andrews – stained glass • David Coombs – photography • Marian McClean – jewelry • Christine West – paper crafts and kumihimo jewelry • Paulette Souza – silver smith jewelry • Lesley Holtaway – pearl jewelry • Linda Bjornson – stained glass and nesting boxes • Susan Shirley – felted scarves and hats • Three local authors, Debra Smith, Pat Hanson and Joyce Oroz will be selling their latest books – perfect for gifts and stocking stuffers.
Aromas can be easily reached from highway 129, halfway between Watsonville and highway 101. Please join us for a merry time at the grange!