News Section: Art and Culture
Atomic Holiday Bazaar rocks a modern twist on crafts
Tuesday: Art and Culture
SARASOTA: Mix a little small-town Ohio with Los Angeles rock star costume designs and piece it together to understand the making of the Atomic Holiday Bazaar at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium in downtown Sarasota on Dec. 12 to 13.
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| Punk Rock Betty dress is the type of vendor exhibit you will find at the Atomic Holiday Bazaar in Sarasota. |
And this is not your granny's arts and crafts show, honey!
It's for all those who dared journey out in the family station wagon to the local church craft and bake sale as youngsters. You're all grown up now and those lacy doilies have been replaced. Well, maybe not completely – more so, it's a doiley with a modern attitude.
Adrien Lucas founded the show four years ago and it has become a holiday tradition on the Gulf Coast.
She grew up listening to Billy Idol and watching splashy hot pink MTV videos hoping, wishing, to one day get out of Dodge and influence those seeking to be visually entertained.
“It's very amusing; I handpick everything,” Lucas said. “Anything that is being offered at my show is something I would buy. It's the things that give me joy or amuse me.”
The hand-picked vendors offer a kind of whimsical touch to their craft and finish off each work with a contemporary spin in old school style.
Get the picture?
It's an arts and crafts show featuring handmade works, such as the iconic sock monkey, but in Indie craft style.
“The word 'crafts' had a real stigma, like mothball-smelling reminiscent crafts,” Lucas said, giggling some at the thought of what she'd described. “I like a craft rock and roll show and this is my dream show. It is very, very affordable to shop at and exhibits local and handmade products.”
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| The show continues to lure in all ages and puts a twist on the traditional holiday event. |
One of the vendors at the show is Joey Jacco and his created line of “plushies.” Lucas said they are stuffed monster forms, in all kinds of bizarre modern shapes.
Lucas is also the creator of Tuff Betty Bags and will exhibit them at the show.
“I make handbags and kits to make your own handbags,” she said. “I also do a lot of vintage designs. We have some crazy jackets with a lot of bling and a lot of feathers.”
The Saturday night show begins at 5 p.m. People must be over 18, and admission is $7.
The press release for the show says the evening's entertainment includes burlesque performances by Moxie Le Femme and live music raining down upon the crowd like a foamy draft beer with rockabilly-punk rock by The Redliners, The Dead Popes and Viva Le Vox.
It also says that two fashion shows produced by Doll Face Inc. will showcase vintage clothing from Silly Rabbit Vintage and Vintage Stew in addition to a second fashion show featuring rock-a-licious costume design by Joanna Coblentz of Doll Face Inc. and Lucas.
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| Joey Jacco is the "plushie" artist and a Ringling graduate who will be showing his creative craft at the event. |
On Sunday the show runs from noon to 5 p.m. and admission is $5, while kids 12 and under are free.
This is the show for families, and it will feature more than 100 arts and crafts vendors showing do-it-yourself crafts, handbags, T-shirts, jewelry, body products, home décor, baby items, plushies, a smidge of art and even canned goods.
“A lot of events are really unaffordable,” Lucas said. “The price point is very affordable. From $5 to $100 and everything is made by hand.
“Kind of a cool place to open your eyes a little bit.”
Erica Newport is a daily reporter for The Bradenton Times. She covers art, culture and community. If you have a story that might interest Erica, please e-mail her using erica.newport@thebradentontimes.com address. She also takes your questions related to our weekly theme days and provides advice and opinions for our readers. Please use this e-mail address for Ask Erica: ask.erica@thebradentontimes.com.
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