Despite the gloomy rain, artisans and craftsmen brightened the day at the Marine Park Alliance (MPA) Arts and Crafts Showcase.
Held Sunday, October 11th, at the Carmine Carro Community Center, 3000 Fillmore Avenue, the biannual showcase returned for fall, featuring a range of one-of-a-kind, handcrafted artworks for attendees to marvel at and purchase.
Clustered together at the center, vendors showcased their artistic talents, including woodwork, clothing, baked goods, jewelry, crochet, batik and even literature.
“Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate with us, but the center is a good place to come on a rainy day,” MPA Founder Maria Carro D’Alessandro said. “It’s a good event; we get to see locals with their arts and crafts, and everybody seems to enjoy it and support one another.”
One vendor was Andrew Shostak of Doughin It by Drew, who sold baked goods, but his specialty was sourdough bread.
“After high school, I was asked, ‘What do you want to do with your life?’ I wasn’t really sure at the time, so I went to culinary school, and I fell in love with it,” Shostak said. “Then I went to pastry school, then back to bread, and bread is definitely my passion. So, I bake at home almost every day, and my goal is to open a bakery one day.”
One standout was author Leokadia George, who brought in her own books about an endangered Mexican gray wolf, F1505, aka Trumpet, who lives at the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, New York. The Trumpet series tells her life story, from a cub to becoming a mother.
Everyone was artistically talented, and many made their art at home. One vendor drew portraits right there for people who stopped at her stand.
‘I’ve come here as a customer many times,” Jennifer O’Brien said. “I always thought it was super cute, and I’ve been drawing my whole life, so I asked myself, ‘Why not do something?’ I’ve never seen anyone do live drawings here before, so I figured I’d build up my portfolio. Everyone here is always so friendly, so it was a good first place to do it.”
The MPA Arts and Crafts Showcase was a kaleidoscope of art, showcasing artistic talent and how a neighborhood can come together to support one another.
