Grants arts and crafts fair turnout called light

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — The turnout did not meet several vendors’ expectations at the Grants Christmas arts and crafts fair at Future Foundations Family Center this past weekend.
Sixty-eight vendors filled the large gymnasium at the family center. Some vendors said advertising for the event was non-existent, that they could see, and one said art show signs were put out Saturday afternoon, midway through the three-day event, and did not have “Christmas” or “arts and crafts” on them.

Most of the vendors however said they thought the turnout was a little light compared to past shows but most likely was because of the declining economy.

There was an excellent cross section of jewelry; sewing items, such as aprons, sheets, quilts; leather work, wood work, metal sculpture, floral arrangements, scarves, both knitted and crocheted, and several Acoma and Navajo potters.

Items seemed to be affordable, ranging from just a few dollars for special jars of all ingredients one would need to make cookies, topped by miniature fuzzy scarves, to paintings, photos and other items such as red clay pottery by Joseph Lewis, an Acoma potter; his wife, Sandra, a Navajo potter, and two daughters.

Joseph Lewis said he learned how to make pottery by watching his mother and sisters and has been doing it for 16 years. Sandra Lewis has also been doing pottery for the past 16 years. Both their daughters, Shondiin, 10, and Megahn, 12, are learning how to make pottery as well.

Neva Mannick, who exhibited paintings and photos as well as a wide range of crafts sold a $35 framed photo only one hour into Sunday’s event.

The family center had a small concession booth near the entrance of the center, selling nachos, breakfast burritos and soft drinks, coffee and hot chocolate. Dale Good, a family center staffer, said the booth was a fundraiser for the New Mexico Junior Miss Program to be held in January at New Mexico State University-Grants campus.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 285-4560 or e-mail:
jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.