It's time to think about Christmas gifts for those hard-to-buy-for people on your list.
Studio Fair, presented by the Prince George and District Community Arts Council, is offering gift items from 92 different artisans and guilds during the 35th annual three-day event at the Civic Centre Nov. 4 to 6.
"This year's Studio Fair is bigger than last year and is spilling out into the foyer," said Crystie Tarr, artist liaison for the Community Arts Council. "Local guilds and artisans will be up front and the rest of the show will be inside."
All the favourites will be there, including Creative Iron Works, Designs by S.A.D., Tickleberry's Fruit and a variety of potters who bring everything from traditional to eclectic and whimsical pieces to the fair.
"We have several artisans from as far away as Ontario and everywhere in between here and there," said Tarr, who expects about 6,000 visitors to the fair.
New vendors are expected to bring such goods as hummus, handcrafted items made of silk, silver and gold smith crafted jewelry, and wind instruments from a company called Simply Bamboo, whose Earth-conscious owners grew the wood themselves to make the final product.
Studio Fair, a juried art show, is a volunteer-driven event involving a wide aspect of the community. Members of the youth groups Katimavik and Future Cents are volunteering during set up and tear down along with other volunteers helping vendors by providing everything from coffee service to booth relief.
"We get a lot of positive feedback from the vendors that attend Studio Fair," said Tarr. "They love the services we provide to them."
Studio Fair is the major annual fundraiser for the arts council with proceeds going to programs like Artists in the Schools, the Arts Directory and events like the Arts Gallery of Honour.
And door prizes and entry ticket offer attendees chances to go home with a surprise treasure. Up for grabs are items like a trip for two to either Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton, Coldsnap music festival tickets and Prince George Symphony Orchestra tickets.
Guests can also enter a raffle from vendor items such as jewelry, clothing, wooden games sets and soap.
Debit machines will be available, among other forms of payment, and Tarr reminds attendees that cash is always the easiest form of payment.
The fair is open Friday Nov. 4 tfrom 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Each day the Potters' Guild is offering the first 50 people through the door a free handmade snowflake Christmas ornament.
Tickets are $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors and children 12 and under are free.
