Artisans to offer wares at BazArt at the Maple Valley Creative Arts Center

For those looking for a unique gift for that hard to shop person in their life, the Maple Valley Creative Arts Council’s second annual BazArt show set for Dec. 5 at the Creative Arts Center could be the place to find it.

Arts Council members get the opportunity to sell at this event, explained board member Christina Grachek.

“We will have 12-15 artisans selling art inspired one of a kind items ... from hand painted glass ornaments, designer purses, blown glass beaded jewelry to watercolor paintings as well as photography and nesting dolls,” Grachek said. “There will be an amazing array of artwork for many to enjoy for their own keepsake(s) or to give as gifts.”

Lori Bergmann, who has been a professional artist for 17 years, will be one of the vendors at the event.

“I recently participated in the Maple Valey Farmer’s Market, where the Arts Council had a booth,” Bergmann said in an e-mail. “This was the first time I’d tried selling my designs — I usually submit my work for publishing — and loved interacting with the people and ended up having a pretty successful time. So when I heard about the BazArt event, I was excited to do this, too!”

Bergmann has dabbled in a wide range of mediums, she explained, but currently is focusing on making her own glass beads and silver charms then incorporating them into jewelry designs.

Vicki Lewis is also looking forward to selling her pieces at BazArt because she enjoys “participating in these types of bazaars and love it even more if it helps support the Arts Council.”

She plans to offer hand painted wooded nesting dolls painted with acrylics as well as some wooden puzzles she has created.

“There are a variety of holiday designs, such as nesting Santas, snowmen, penguins and a variety of Nativity sets,” Lewis said. “The puzzles are called Puzzlekins and I did all the original artwork for them in watercolor. The puzzles are two sided, so they double as play sets.”

Lewis first became involved with the Arts Council a little over a year ago when she moved to Maple Valley.

“I wanted to become involved with the arts in the community,” she said. “When I searched online, I found the MVCAC and joined right away. I felt so welcome at the first meeting and jumped right in and taught a painting camp for kids at the Arts Center last summer, and hope to continue teaching children’s art classes there.”

For more information about BazArt or the Arts Council, log onto www.maplevalleyarts.com or call the Arts Center at 425-432-0810 or send e-mail to mvcac@comcast.net.

Contact Covington Reporter News Kris Hill at khill@maplevalleyreporter.com or (425) 432-1209, ext. 5054.

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