Georgetown High School craft show marks 20th anniversary

School Council The annual Art and Craft Show sponsored by Georgetown District High School has been a community tradition since 1987 and this year's event is shaping up to be the best ever. So plan to attend this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28 and 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. With Christmas only two months away, there is no better way to get a jump start on your Christmas shopping than by checking out the unique arts and crafts that will be offered by many well-known local artisans and crafts men and women this weekend. The popularity of this event also draws vendors from farther away, so there is always something new to see. Over 100 vendors will be showcased, including: Matthew Fleet, a GDHS alumni, sketches antique theme maps; Carmen Hickson, from Red Pig Studio in Glen Williams, works with metal and found objects to create original pieces; Robert Law makes greeting cards with his own sketches of local buildings; Jody Maas, a stone carver, was featured in the spring edition of the Sideroads magazine; Doris Treleaven of Metalscape in Limehouse is well known for her metal art; Barbara VanSickle of Escarpment Pottery Studio in Acton designs and creates a form of Japanese pottery called raku, for which she has won several awards. Also, look for the Kitchener student who creates pictures using silk embroidery. Of course, there will be dozens of other vendors selling everything from jewellery to honey, so there will be something for everyone's tastes. The weekend will include our usual 50/50 draw and raffle donations include a painting by one of the vendors and a stained glass item by Sherry Wells, our Drama Department head, one of Susan Pippy's (Artisans' Attic and GDHS parent alumni) famous pottery fish and a felted Santa made by Jane Altobelli. Last, but not least, we have a very unique item to raffle: a Muskoka chair made by GDHS students in a woodworking class and painted up by our art students! McMaster Meats has generously donated hotdogs and hamburgers that the GDHS boys' basketball teams will barbecue in the afternoons. Coffee, juice, bottled water, etc. will also be on sale. If you're coming for breakfast, look for muffins, bagels, and Danishes. The GDHS Art and Craft Show was started 19 years ago by the then head of Tech., Dave Lawrence, to help buy equipment and supplies for his department. Since then the funds raised have been used to purchase equipment, pay for student awards and to cover the costs of hosting the Tech Olympics, etc. This year all departments are participating and sharing the proceeds, which are being split with 70% going to departments and 30% to the teams and clubs who participate. Every department has submitted a wish list of items but, since we inherited the sale from the Tech Department and since they have continued to be a real source of support, their wish list will get first priority. (We wouldn't be able to hold such a sale without their expertise/experience!) We are proud of our students who have once again volunteered to help with the many tasks. Some are earning needed volunteer hours, some are participating to raise funds for their sport or club, and some are helping just because they enjoy the weekend. Mike Coulter and Devon Booth are two such students-- they have been essential to us-- arranging all the electrical connections needed by the vendors. All in all, it's shaping up to be a great weekend to be in Georgetown! We look forward to seeing you this weekend at Georgetown high school, 70 Guelph Street. For more information call Vice Principal, Rick Boychuk, 905-877-6966.