Artisan's Village at the State Fair

For eleven days each August, the Friends of the Visual Arts partner with the Oregon State Fairgrounds to manage and operate the Artisan's Village at the Oregon State Fair. Artists and craftspeople come to the Village to teach, demonstrate, and show off their skills. Many will invite YOU to try your hand as well!

Our History with the Artisan Village

The 2011 Village Artisans

• Pottery and Raku Ceramics, sponsored by the Willamette Art Center.

  Not only do we host the Artisan's Village, we put on our own exhibit. Choose a handmade ceramic pot, glaze it, and we'll fire it on the spot in our Raku Kiln. In an hour, you can come back and pick up your own creation.

• Chainsaw Carving, featuring the Whited Brothers.

  Who runs this family, anyway? Watch Dan and Dave Rip It Up with their chainsaws, creating art as big as a tree or tiny enough for your desk.

• Steambaby, featuring Mac McGowan.

  Fire up your airship for an adventure in Victorian elegance: Steampunk has arrived! Goggles, leather wear, and other props made with clockwork parts and other 19th century sensibilities.

• Art in the Making, featuring Jenny Armitage.

  In the cool of the morning, Jenny will demonstrate her polymer clay sculptures. In the afternoon, when the clay is too warm and soft, she will paint watercolor figures and landscapes.

• Lavender Thyme Herb Farm, featuring Taffy Donalson.

  A booth of Wonderful Scents, including farm dried lavender bouquets, linen mists and lavender oil. Your nose won't want to miss this booth.

• Carvings by Dave, featuring Dave Disselbrett.

  Whittle away the warm afternoon with Dave and his gallery of marvelous animals and characters, all hand carved and painted.

• Art of the Grand Ronde, featuring Patricia Allen.

  Watch Patricia do intricate beadwork on leather, along with other arts of Northwest Native Americans.

• Elizabeth Jewelry, featuring Molly Rahe.

  Uniquely handcrafted Jewelry. All genuine Sterling Silver, gemstones, freshwater pearls and swarovski crystals with a touch of the increasingly popular cubic Zirconia beads.

• Center Stage Puppets, featuring William Walther.

  William has been a master puppeteer, children's book author, and artist for 30 years, and is a popular guest at many Oregon schools. Enjoy a puppet show, then learn how to make your own!

• Portraits, by Li Tie.

  Li is amazing! His portraits really capture the spirit and liveliness of their subjects. Have him sketch YOUR portrait while you pose--for individuals or groups--or choose from his many lovely originals!

• The Capitol Woodcarvers.

  Members of the Capitol Woodcarvers guild--the same folks who created the beloved Salem Riverfront Carousel--will demonstrate all aspects of the time-honored art of wood carving.

• Simply Unbeadable, featuring Louann Person.

  Beaded jewelry.

• "Glassblowers Local 503" featuring Matt Clark, Elin Sanders, Zoe Bacon, and Lucy Blue Berger.

  This booth is HOT! Watch in amazement as molten glass takes shape right before your eyes.

• Stone Polishing by K.K. Creations, featuring Wes Kesten.

  Watch Wes take a "boring old rock" and reveal incredible beauty within, as he carves and polishes geodes, fossils, Oregon Sunstones, and much more. He even has fossilized dinosaur doo-doo, no kidding! Come get in touch with history in a unique way!

• Silver Tide Jewelry, featuring Robert Peters.

  Chain-linked jewelry showcasing the craft of Silversmithing. Whether you want straight-up silver or brilliant anodized color, Robert can link it up into a unique creation for you.

• Blacksmithy, featuring Nick Marcejlas of Red Troll Forge and Eric Grip of Iron Grip Forge.

  Hammers pound as Nick and Eric make incredible tools, household items and jewelry out of Red Hot Iron!

• Yarn and Fiber Arts, sponsored by the Aurora Colony Handspinners' Guild.

  Spinners, knitters, weavers and other fiber artists will knock your socks off--and then make new ones--amidst beautiful yarns and wool garments hand spun, dyed, and crafted here in Oregon.

• Pyrofuse, featuring Robert Fox.

  Robert uses the Lampwork torch technique to create glass pendants, earrings, and whimsical mermaids.

• Samhain Pottery, featuring Jason Laney.

  Unique hand thrown pottery, featuring a variety of pieces from mugs to platters to vases. Watch Jason create ceramic pieces before your very eyes.

• Recycled Fabric Art, featuring Susan Aispuro.

  Creative crocheted items such as rugs, baskets and placemats made from a variety of recycled fabrics.

• Frances Cameron Silks, featuring Cheryl Cameron.

  Beautiful wearable hand painted silk. This art is not only fun to watch, but fabulous to wear. Each item is colorfast, and washable.

• Leathergirl Kelley, featuring Kayrene Kelley.

  Custom leather accessories. Come check out these cool leatherworks. From hip "Biker-Chicks" pieces to recycled leather handbags. There are items sure to please everyone's style or taste.

• Lunarcat Studios, featuring Carolyn Woody.

  This artist uses colorful origami and washy papers in a variety of ways to make Asian-inspired crafts. Watch Carolyn fold and manipulate paper into amazing small treasures such as ornaments, cards, jewelry and more.

Food and Drink

Stop by one of our vendors for a yummy treat to enjoy as you tour the Village or listen to some live music!

• Cafe Today.

  Espresso, scones, and other fresh goodies.

• Organic Orange Juice.

  Delicious cold juice, squeezed for you right on the spot.

• J Gelati.

  Freshly made organic frozen custard and Italian ices, the perfect cooler for a summer afternoon.

Sponsors

The City of Salem Transient Occupancy Tax fund has contributed a Special Event grant in support of the Artisan's Village and Village Stage.

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