CONTEMPORARY CRAFTS MARKET 
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium 
1855 Main Street 
October 31-November 2, 2008 
10:00a.m. - 6:00p.m. 
Daily Admission $7, Children 12 & Under FREE 
 

(Santa Monica, CA) Just in time for the holidays, The Contemporary Crafts Market will return to the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium for its 23rd season as the West Coast’s premiere event for one-of-a-kind functional and decorative crafts. This year’s Market will feature over 250 of the nation’s finest artists and their distinctive works, ranging from intricate jewelry, unique glassware and ceramics to hand-painted textiles, custom furniture, mixed-media creations and much more. All items on display and for sale have been jury-selected for their exceptional quality. 

The Contemporary Crafts market has been a showcase for burgeoning and established talent for over two decades. Year after year, the market brings together an eclectic mix of artisans, while also allowing visitors to meet the artists behind some of the nation’s finest crafts. Roy Helms, Contemporary Crafts Market Founder, has continually sought to raise awareness of fine crafts as a serious art form by highlighting talented artists who have created a name for themselves and whose works can be found in national and international museums or galleries. “Each year, the Contemporary Crafts Market provides shoppers and collectors with some of the finest craft pieces from across the United States,” Helms explained. “This year will be no exception, as these artists have provided visitors with unique holiday gift ideas for the coming shopping season.” 

Among this year’s artists will be Jerzi Sanecki, who creates decorative brass and glass functional art. His pieces, which range from floor lights to fireplace screens, offer creative decorative solutions for homes and offices. Sanecki also constructs custom motifs that can be applied to his pieces to create a harmonious design scheme throughout any space. To create his hand-made pieces, the artisan draws inspiration from a variety of regions and styles, including intricate Ancient Egyptian designs and 20th century Art Deco practices. With over twenty years of experience in this field, Sanecki’s pieces adorn the interiors of both European and American spaces alike. 

Sanecki will be joined by Rubaiyat, specializing in hand-crafted shoes for over four decades. The dynamic husband-and-wife duo of Louis and Melinda Whisler create carefully crafted styles that range from casual sandals to boots. Not only do these artisans craft ready-to-wear shoes, but customers also have the opportunity to participate in the design process by selecting from a wide variety of styles, colors and materials. With an eclectic assortment that range from classic brown flats to flaming red python pumps, Rubaiyat’s collection features styles fit for both men and women. The Whisler’s are dedicated to using their expertise and knowledge of this field to construct “wearable art” for the fashion-forward. 

The Contemporary Crafts Market is held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, located at 1855 Main Street on the corner of Pico Boulevard. Show hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 31- November 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is $7.00 for adults and children under 12 are free. For additional information, call (310) 285-3655 or visit the website at www.CraftSource.org.