During July visitors to Sebago will have an opportunity to take part in a unique artisan fair, featuring wonderful works of original art by more than two dozen local artists. The Friends of the Spaulding Memorial Library will display paintings, wood carvings, ceramics, stained glass and art work in other media, and encourages the public to view the artwork during the fair and make a written bid for any piece they would like to purchase. The winning bids will be notified on July 16.

Nancy Fitch has donated one of her stained glass and wrought iron garden ornaments at her Treehouse Glass Studio. It will be auctioned off at Sebago's Artisan Fair in July.

Visitors passing through East Sebago on Route 114 can't help but notice the handsome field stone Spaulding Memorial Library in the middle of the village. This library was built in 1923 as a gift to the town from Leon Cummings Spaulding and his wife Dorothy, and continues to serve the reading public well. There is a long history of private support to the programs of the library, and the July 2005 artisan's fair follows the tradition of highlighting local talent and also raising funds to support the library.

Joanne Nesteruk is a Friend and one of the organizers of the artisan fair as well as a long-time supporter of the library. "We have contacted every local artist we know of in town, and they have been very supportive of our fund raiser," she told me. "Several agreed to donate a piece to the fair, including painters and those who work in stained glass, ceramics, wood and natural materials, plus several more who work in fabric or other media. There really are a number of very talented people in Sebago. We will have a good representation of local art at the fair."

I learned that the Friends have sponsored similar events in the past. In 1992 there was an exhibit of traditional hooked rugs, displaying 36 projects. The next year, they held the First Annual Art Show exhibiting the work of a dozen artists, including 7 from Sebago and 5 from nearby towns. A successful raffle was held to benefit the library building fund.

Maria Walker busy at work knitting for Sebago's Artisan Fair

The July 2005 artisan fair will build on these earlier events. "We hope that it will focus attention on our local Sebago artisans while also raising money for the library. The Friends have helped the library building fund as well as helping the library purchase new books," Nesteruk told me.

"We will display the art across the street from the library at the Sebago Elementary School on the first and second weekends in July during regular library hours, and also during Sebago Days on July 15 and 16," she added. "Take the time to visit the artisan fair when you are in Sebago in July, and if you find something that you like, make a bid. You may be lucky and bring home a unique piece of art and know that you are supporting a good cause at the same time."

I have seen several of the pieces that will be on display and have been impressed by the quality of their craftsmanship. Help make this fair a success, and encourage the Friends to make it an annual summer event. For more information, please call Joanne Nesteruk (207-787-3382) or Jane Foye (207-787-2799).

This article was edited and published in the Bridgton News.

Last updated November 12, 2005

Copyright © 2005, Allen Crabtree