Before Danville designer Stacee Arbis made silk flower arrangements, she was a gardener.
“I came from that perspective. But I realized that people wanted something permanent that looked real,” she said.
Arbis uses her gardening knowledge to seek outstanding silk flowers from all over the world and ensures that all of her flowers are botanically correct. They are arranged in baskets or pottery, or are permanently caste in “water illusion,” a high-grade resin that resembles water in a glass vase.
Look for Arbis’ flowers at this weekend’s Fine Art and Craft Show in Alamo.
The Alamo Plaza Shopping Center will be inundated with jewelers, painters and artists from all over California, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 6-8.
Since it began about 30 years ago, the number of artists has grown tremendously.
“It’s turned into a really nice show. When I took it over eight years ago there were only 20 artists. This year, we are expecting around 70 artists,” said event organizer John Holland.
Tables and booths will be set up along the sidewalk in front of the stores at the shopping center but will not be blocking entrances. There will also be plenty of parking.
Arbis will be alongside other talented artists like David Yager, a potter from Chico who studied glazing techniques for two years with New York ceramic artist Michael Lucero. Yager’s pottery is known for its high-fire cobalt blue glazes. Also fine jewelers Fran and Jerry Harr will be part of the show. The Harrs, who are based in Redding, have stone contacts all over the world. Their highly stylized jewelry is entirely handmade, so each piece is one of a kind.
The festival will also include bronze sculpture, paintings, woodwork, fine glass and photography. The event is free of charge.
