Crozet fall arts festival gets crafts-y

Barbara Williams spent her Saturday afternoon browsing jewelry cases and pottery pieces, hoping to return home with a few select items. But with so many artistic creations available at the Crozet Arts & Crafts Fall Festival, she said she had to use a huge amount of restraint to not go home with everything.

“I have to keep my hands in my pockets,” said Williams, who lives near McGaheysville and has been to the festival more than 10 times.
The fall festival, now in its 28th year, continues today at Claudius Crozet Park. Another show is held in the spring, and proceeds from both events go directly to the park to help fund its operations.

Tracey Pugh, the festival’s director, said 114 artists were chosen for the show, displaying everything from ceramic geese sculptures to charcoal sketches. The show usually has between 110 and 125 vendors, Pugh said.
Sharon Beeler, who lives in Palmyra, said she’s been to the Crozet festivals six or seven times. Saturday she had just bought cards with New Testament verses — something she said she could use for gifts.

“Well, [I buy] a little bit for myself too,” said Beeler, listing purchases like purses and wreaths from past years. “But mostly gifts.”
Fred Williamson, who crafts bowls from wood found in forests around Charlottesville, said the festival used to be four single tents when he set up shop there about 18 years ago. That isn’t the case anymore, but he said the show still feels local mostly because of its setting on the edge of the Shenandoah National Park.
“If you go to a huge crafts show it’s a whole different feel,” said Williamson, who lives in White Hall and began his own business in 1973.

The quality of art has also improved, he said. Pugh agreed, saying that a few years ago some of the vendors were not as up to par as they would have liked. A stricter vetting process for the show’s artists helped fix that, she said.
“We really want people who know art,” Pugh said.