Friends of Forbes Library preps for 3rd Artisan Fair on Sunday

Aviva Sieber, of Sieber Designs, a fiber artist out of Florence, works on pieces at her studio in Florence. Seiber will be one of the artists participating  in the Friends of Forbes Library’s upcoming Artisans Fair on Sunday.

Aviva Sieber, of Sieber Designs, a fiber artist out of Florence, works on pieces at her studio in Florence. Seiber will be one of the artists participating in the Friends of Forbes Library’s upcoming Artisans Fair on Sunday. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS

Aviva Sieber, of Sieber Designs, a fiber artist out of Florence, works on pieces at her studio in Florence. Seiber will be one of the artists participating  in the Friends of Forbes Library’s upcoming Artisans Fair on Sunday.

Aviva Sieber, of Sieber Designs, a fiber artist out of Florence, works on pieces at her studio in Florence. Seiber will be one of the artists participating in the Friends of Forbes Library’s upcoming Artisans Fair on Sunday. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS

Aviva Sieber, of Sieber Designs, a fiber artist out of Florence, works on pieces at her studio in Florence. Seiber will be one of the artists participating  in the Friends of Forbes Library’s upcoming Artisans Fair on Sunday.

Aviva Sieber, of Sieber Designs, a fiber artist out of Florence, works on pieces at her studio in Florence. Seiber will be one of the artists participating in the Friends of Forbes Library’s upcoming Artisans Fair on Sunday. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS

Work by Aviva Sieber, who is one of the many artist at the  Friends of Forbes Library’s upcoming Artisans Fair on Sunday.

Work by Aviva Sieber, who is one of the many artist at the Friends of Forbes Library’s upcoming Artisans Fair on Sunday. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS

By Naomi Scully-Bristol

For the Gazette

Published: 10-03-2024 10:37 AM

NORTHAMPTON — The Friends of Forbes Library will be hosting its third annual Artisans Fair this Sunday, with 46 artisans, food trucks and musical groups for the community to come out and enjoy.

“It’s a nice event, and family friendly,” said Martha McCormick, vice president of Friends of Forbes Library. “Artisans really like it, and we have very nice artwork and people who are very skilled at their crafts.”

Artisans will sell their work at the fair, including books, quilts, ceramics and paintings. Laurel Rodgers, a local book and collage artist, and Sophie Theroux who does paintings, including local landscapes, will be two of the almost 50 artisans at the fair.

Four food trucks will be at the event — Holyoke Hummus, Masa Mexican, Creme Bru.LA and crooked Stick Pops. Ukulele Strum Group, GreenStreet Brew and the Fiddle Orchestra of Western Mass will all play music during different parts of the event. The fair will also feature face-painting, two raffles, and pumpkins and chrysanthemums for sale.

Friends of Forbes Library began hosting the fair in 2022. Before COVID-19, they did a wine tasting fundraiser, but it was harder to host after the pandemic, so instead they began the artisan fair. McCormick said it was a successful and fun fundraiser, so they have continued to host the event each year.

The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and all money is donated directly to the library for books, equipment and programs. The event will take place in the library parking lot and lawn. It is free to attend and there is free parking in the Smith College garage and the Green Street lot.

“It looks like it is going to be a beautiful fall day,” said McCormick. “Kids can play on the lawn, people can come listen to music and eat at the food trucks.”

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