Hand Crafted Culture
Greenbelt’s Annual Art and Craft Fair Is Back Starting Nov. 26
Mercy Miller, owner of ‘Mercy Me Accessories,’ learned to crochet, knit and embroider as a child from her mother in Ethiopia.
Miller now lives in Prince George’s County and makes wearable art.
Once known as an international trend in the decorative and fine arts that developed earliest and most fully in the British Isles and subsequently spread across the British Empire, Art and Craft is a movement and this year, Greenbelt Recreation Arts celebrate 50 years of the Art and Craft Fair.
Last year, due to COVID-19, the event was 100% virtual. But this year, Greenbelt Recreation ARTS has introduced its first-ever hybrid Art And Craft Fair, making the popular event half in-person and half online.
Taking place at the Greenbelt Community and Youth Center, attendees can check out the works of more than 70 vendors whose creativity is expressed in works from jewelry to pottery making. The work will be juried as well. The fair begins online from November 26 through December 15. Starting December 4, those wanting to attend in-person can do so until December 5.
“This craft fair is all about jewelry and high quality,” said Anne Gardener, arts education specialist and one of the organizers of the fair. Gardener said this fair has a long history and will be well-attended. “We’re expecting a lot of people since we can host both in-person and online.”
The Greenbelt area and surrounding neighborhoods are known to be a thriving ceramics community. Many, who have been displaying their work at the center for years will be selling popular ceramic pieces like wood fire and kilns. The objective is for people to have fun, meet an array of diverse local artists while supporting their pandemic recovery. “We are welcoming the community back for this popular annual event,” according to the website.
“It’s a very creative process. We have a lot of artists with international connections, many who have learned their crafts from their native land,” said Gardener.
The fair is expecting a large crowd and have expanded its space at the community center, once using a gym and two large rooms now also using the youth center’s gym. There is a call for volunteers to help during December 3-5. Community service credit is available for high school students. All vendors, staff, volunteers and guests will be required to wear masks.
The Greenbelt Community Fair is located at 15 Crescent Road. For more information and hours of the fair, visit: www.greenbeltmd.gov/craft.
