A Shopper’s Nirvana
America’s finest artists and craftmakers transform Menlo Park’s charming downtown into a spectacular visual feast during Connoisseurs’ Marketplace, the city’s popular mid-summer festival of the arts celebrating its 26th anniversary, July 21-22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Santa Cruz Avenue. Meet and chat with 250 of America’s top artists and craftmakers on hand with their latest work featuring great variety and price points to satisfy every budget. Shop and browse among well-stocked booths filled with watercolor landscapes, dazzling jewelry, functional ceramics, shimmering glass vessels, leather goods, beautiful photography, wood carvings, chic clothing, and much more at the festival — widely considered to be one of California’s top art fairs.
Functional Art
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| Steven Andersen western red cedar bench (top left), Jill Bornemann Slainte bags (bottom left), and Teddi Hosman geometric necklaces and earrings (right) |
Steven Andersen designs and builds beautiful outdoor furniture out of the finest western red cedar. His Adirondack chairs, tables, gliders and benches would make a lovely addition to any poolside or patio. Jill Bornemann’s Slainte bags are fashionable, functional and eco-friendly. These handy totes, diaper bags and hip slings have everything a busy, fashionable woman on the go would need, with pockets in just the right places and an assortment of recycled and eco-friendly fabrics to stand out from the crowd. Trish Culbert creates beautiful glass dishes, bowls and plates by fusing clear and colored glass. These cheerful glass accents in a rainbow of colors will add a joyful sparkle to your bathroom vanity or coffee table. Doug Gold and his wife Bobbie have been handcrafting their toys for more than 18 years and have a wide variety of designs — planes, trains, automobiles and much more. Each toy is created from durable wood that can withstand a toddler’s rough play, sanded smooth, and finished with completely non-toxic water-based stains in a rainbow of colors.
Wearable Art
Francine Fiesel is inspired by the natural beauty of pearls. Her unique jewelry designs are clean and elegant, celebrating the distinctive qualities of each pearl and semi-precious stone. Treat yourself to a pair of cozy, lambskin slippers from Wooly Rascals. These handcrafted, durable slippers are made with pride in South San Francisco, along with sheepskin hats, rugs, bags and pet accessories. Teddi Hosman creates unique artisan jewelry in metal and wire work, all with classic, simple and sometimes bold styling. Each piece of jewelry is hand-fabricated with integrity, passion, and attention
to detail in the hopes of inspiring the wearer to connect with their own courage, strength, wisdom, and beauty.
Richard Curtner word collage "Poetry"
Denis Minamora painting "La Pigna Daybreak"
Dominique Blanchard painting
"Spirit
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Evelyn Jenkins Drew watercolor "Beachfront Property"
Lynn Jaye painting "Enchanged Pathway"
Steven Albaranes "Butterfly Heart"
Jennifer Erickson "Gold Icicle" necklace
Paul Gordon painting "EZ Commute"
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Fine Art
Richard Curtner assembles his novel portraits, scenes and still lifes through collage of multi-colored text. His works create realistic visual images juxtaposed with the written word and tell stories on many different levels. Capitola painter Evelyn Jenkins Drew captures a tropical paradise with her bright, realistic paintings. Working with dyes on silk and in watercolor, Drew portrays scenes from her beachside town, beautiful florals, still lifes, and cozy animal portraits. Lynn Jaye finds inspiration for her paintings in the landscapes of California, Tuscany and Provence. Her technique includes not only brushes, but sponges and palette knives to create a shimmering effect of light and color, drawing the viewer into a world of beauty and serenity.
Sculpture/Mixed Media
For a truly unique piece, visit San Mateo artist Steven Albaranes, who creates his artwork from exotic butterflies mounted in attractive acrylic boxes. The largest pieces can have more than 150 individual butterflies, creating a spectacular display. Dominique Blanchard imbues his ceramic masks with a luminous spiritual energy. His masterful blending of rich oxidation, reduction glaze and intricate textures are intensified by raku and other low-fired techniques. Denis Minamora fashions his mixed-media paintings from the tradition of pictographic artists and storytellers. Combining watercolors, pen and ink, and chalk pastels, he creates paintings of romantic realism that inspire the storyteller in all of us.
Emerging Artists
Connoisseurs’ Marketplace is proud to feature a host of emerging artists debuting fresh work on the festival circuit, including the intimate and whimsical nature photography of Georgia and John Bockoven, artisan organic baked goods for your favorite canine from Ron and Rose Borden, handmade gold and silver jewelry by Jennifer Erickson, and fine art prints by Mill Valley painter Paul Gordon.
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