Mendocino Art Center's 52nd Annual Summer Arts & Crafts Fair July 16, 2011

For the 52nd consecutive year, the Mendocino Art Center hosts the Summer Arts and Crafts Fair, July 16 and July 17, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., both days. Each year, locals and tourists alike, descend on the Art Center to browse a wide variety of quality artwork at the more than 50 artisan booths situated outdoors in the Art Center's gardens, as well as listen to live local music and enjoy festive food and drink while supporting the local artist community. This year there will also be astrology and numerology readings, as well as face painting.

The allure of this art fair, as well as the Mendocino Art Center's Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Fair, has always been the abundance of one-of-a-kind artwork, as a stroll through the bustling grounds quickly reveals. Jewelry lovers are in for a treat, with an array of handmade gold, silver, mixed metal and enameled jewelry. Other wearable items include hand-painted silk scarves and garments, felted and knitted caps and hats, children's clothing, and leather bags and accessories. Those looking for something for the home will find ceramics, wood accessories and furniture items. Two-dimensional artwork is always highlighted by stunning photography and paintings, and the three-dimensional works include functional and sculptural ceramic pieces and fused and leaded glasswork.

Visitors to the Fair are also entertained throughout the weekend by a live soundtrack provided by some of the coast's finest musicians. Pura Vida will be performing on the main stage Saturday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., bringing their hot Latin sound of Afro-Caribbean music, including traditional Cuban rumba, mambo, and chachacha, as well as cumbia from South America and samba from Brazil.

The Moonlighters, a new rock and soul band featuring longtime Mendonesian musicians Jorge Gomez and Jimmy Brown, will perform on the main stage on Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The band combines rockin' rhythms and bluesy beats with a little Latin twist. With a great mix of crowd-pleasing standards and original tunes, The Moonlighters bring something old and something new to the stage and keep the party hopping. From rock to Cajun to Mendocino Bay blues, The Moonlighters are a crowd pleaser for young and old alike.

This year there will also be live music in the food court. The multi-talented David Brown from New Orleans will let the bons temps roulez with classics from the Big Easy, 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. both days. The sizzling Sally Wells, accompanied by keyboardist Ira Rosenberg, will perform jazz standards and some of her favorites, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days.

A variety of festival food, along with Mendocino County beer and wine and Jennie Zacha's traditional blackberry sundaes will be available.

The Summer Arts and Crafts Fair is one of the Mendocino Art Center's top fundraisers, with the non-profit organization receiving a 15% commission on all art vendor sales. Fundraisers help support the Art Center's many essential cultural and educational programs. The 52nd Annual Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Fair will be held November 25 and 26.

For more information visit the Mendocino Art Center Web site at http://www.MendocinoArtCenter.org, or call 707-937-5818. The Mendocino Art Center is located at 45200 Little Lake Street, Mendocino.