Published: November 04, 2009 03:30 pm      

Berry College hosting two arts and crafts festivals

ROME — The world’s largest campus will be the destination of choice for arts and crafts enthusiasts this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, thanks to two major festivals organized by Berry College students.

New this year is the Ten Thousand Villages Festival, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Krannert Center Ballroom. This event – sponsored by Model United Nations, Berry College Volunteer Services, Berry College Student Activities, EMPOWER, Tangible Impact and the Berry chapter of Amnesty International – will feature handcrafted items marketed by Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofit fair trade organization based in Akron, Penn.

Patrons will discover an exquisite collection of handmade gifts, home decor, musical instruments, jewelry and personal accessories from 38 different countries. Featured items include hand loomed textiles, pottery, jewelry, baskets, toys and a variety of nativities. The goal of Ten Thousand Villages is to guarantee that the skilled artisans who created these treasures receive a fair price for their products. Only cash or checks will be accepted. Contact Dr. Kirsten Taylor, sponsor of Berry’s Model United Nations club, at kltaylor@berry.edu, for more details.

Also scheduled for this weekend is the Berry College Art Society’s third Arts and Crafts Festival. Set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, this event will feature artwork from more than 30 different members of Berry’s faculty, staff and student body. Items for sale will include original paintings, prints, jewelry, hand-crafted and knitted pieces, pottery, and origami. Entertainment will include music and a dance performance. Free popcorn and SnoCones also will be available.

“It’s the perfect place to buy your Christmas presents,” said Amanda Carman, art society co-president. E-mail amanda.carman@vikings.berry.edu for information.