16 Waldport artists stage third festival and sale on Saturday

WALDPORT — Just in time for holiday gift giving, a select group of Waldport artists will stage a juried exhibit and sale Saturday, Nov. 22.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Waldport Artists Fall Festival will fill the Community Center with an abundance of treasures — fiber arts, stained glass, jewelry, pottery, photography and more.

In all, 16 Waldport artists will showcase their wares in a festival that has proven enormously successful since its launch last year.

“We had about 500 attendees at our first show last fall and our spring show this year, and expect at least that many this Saturday,” said festival organizer Marie-Lise Best, who works in fiber arts. “This show is so different than many because we have vetted every artist, and all are accomplished ‘fine artisans’.”

Almost 30 artists applied to be in the show, but only 16 were selected, she said.

The festival is sponsored by the Waldport Chamber of Commerce; admission is free.

A special feature will be free raffle tickets distributed to everyone who attends. The prize is a silver bracelet laden with 11 Mexican fire agates. The winner doesn’t need to be present at the drawing, which will occur at the end of the show.

The festival was created last year by Best and her neighbor, Ricki Peterson, as a showcase for Waldport artists who don’t often exhibit their work.

In addition to Best and Peterson, artists at the one-day event are scheduled to include Patti Beyer, Anna Biszantz, Jana Boutwell, Carol Cassidy, Gary and Donna Claggett, Juli Dahl, Judy Deam, Chuck Franklin, Beth Kattleman, Dan Kelleher, Sharon McCrum, Kellie Nine and Laurie Owens.