Oct. 3, 2008 - Visitors to the 29th Annual Arts Alive Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival will have the opportunity to find unique handcrafted items, explore their own creativity, view dynamic performances and listen to the sounds of local musicians. Traditionally, this popular annual event has been the place for early holiday shopping.
The three-day festival is held outdoors in a historic Danish West Indian farm known as Tillett Gardens. It is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Nov. 30. Festival hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, featuring works by local artisans, performances and special interactive, hands-on artistic activities. Meals, snacks, and beverages will be sold at Jack's Restaurant located in the gardens. Admission is free. Tillett Gardens is located near Four Winds Plaza on Route 38 East, 4126 Anna's Retreat. "This festival is the oldest consecutive arts festival on St. Thomas," said Lynn Berry, executive director of Arts Alive. "It's a rewarding opportunity to support local artisans as well as a wonderful venue to find unique gifts for your family and friends."
The Tillett Gardens galleries and studios feature silk-screened fabrics, pottery, jewelry, candles, local crafts, and Tillett's famous silkscreen prints and maps. The garden will be surrounded by inviting kiosks and tables full of one-of-a-kind locally-produced items. Featured craft items will include: functional and decorative pottery, wearable art, sculptural clay art, garden art and decorative plants, beaded jewelry, folk art, hand painted ornaments, scented soaps, and candles.
The festival offers a variety of free activities catering to art enthusiasts of all ages. Participants will have the opportunity to explore their own creativity and discover new forms of expression. Pistarckle Theater will host juggling workshops and interactive drama games on Friday and Saturday, starting at 3 p.m. Mary Asa-Powers will be providing hula-hoop demonstrations and lessons at various times. The Traveling Road Show will host Kids Corner, featuring hands-on educational art activities designed for children.
A variety of musical entertainment will be offered on the main stage from noon until 4 p.m. everyday. Performances by students from The Virgin Islands Institute of Performing Arts and Rebecca Faulkner's music school will also be featured on the main stage. Pistarckle Theater will perform scenes from "Miracle on 34th Street" and two one-act plays.

Arts Alive is administered by the Tillett Foundation, a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) arts organization. Its mission is to present quality visual and performing arts in the V.I. and to involve and encourage young people in the appreciation, study, performance, and exhibition of fine music and visual arts.
For more information about the festival, call 776-8566.