Fabulous Arts Boutique History
FAB began as the brainchild of Pat Fox, a Manasota Weavers Guild member since 1989 and new member of the Guild, Kathie Hayes in 2000.
Pat Fox , as Sales and Show Chairman for the Manasota Weavers Guild, realized that members had few opportunities to sell or show their work and she began thinking about the possibility of producing a show highlighting the Guild’s work. Always innovative, Pat brought the idea up to the Guild’s board, and then announced the planned show at a general Guild meeting. Kathie Hayes walked up to Pat after that pivotal meeting and said she would like to help.
It turned out that Kathie Hayes had belonged to a Guild in Texas, the Houston Weavers Guild, which had been doing a show for many years. Kathie Hayes was instrumental in the FAB planning process from start to finish. The committee brainstormed and came up with the name Fiber Arts Boutique and Pat explains, “Suddenly a light bulb came on and we almost shouted ‘FAB!’”.
The decision was made to broaden the spectrum of the event and invite other local arts guilds to join the event. These guilds included the Florida West Coast Bead Society, Surface Design Guild Sarasota and the Venetian Society of Basket Weavers. The event name was changed to Fabulous Arts Boutique to reflect the diversity of beautiful works created by these other guilds.
Pat Fox was FAB Chairwoman for the first two years, and Kathie Hayes has held the position since then. In 2008 Betsy Meyer stepped in as Co-chair. Each year the event was a great success and attracted some of the most talented artists in the Sarasota and surrounding areas. The FAB board now has representatives from all the guilds and all participate fully in the planning process.
The Fiber Arts Boutique was graciously hosted by St. Armand's Lutheran Church for the first four years before the decision was made to move to the Art Center Sarasota in 2007. The annual show and sale is literally set up ‘boutique-style’, intermingling artists works in creative displays. This sets it apart from the more typical shows that are comprised of booths and grids. Attendees and artists both seem more comfortable with the casual and congenial atmosphere of this arrangement.
FAB showcases some of the most unique art and craft artists in the Sarasota community and surrounding areas, many who have received national acclaim.
FAB artists create innovative designs that blend traditional art and craft techniques with contemporary twists. The exhibit and sale offers wearable art, such as hand dyed silks, felted beaded hand bags, and needle-woven and semi-precious strung necklaces. Other treasures, some purely decorative as well as functional art, include: woven baskets incorporating semi-precious stones, feathers and antlers, woven wall hangings, wire work, hand-turned wood items, hand made papers and much more.
FAB encourages excellence among the participating guilds and keeps traditional handwork alive and thriving. It’s a celebration of culture and a tribute to the breadth and scope of human creativity. We look forward to continuing this event for many years to come!