Authors and Artists Christmas Bazaar Saturday, December 17 at Herald Court Center

Santa’s elves are hard at work, publishing books and creating works of art for the Authors and Artists Christmas Bazaar, to be held Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Florida Gulf Coast University Herald Court Centre in downtown Punta Gorda.

“This is a double down—a chance to shop Charlotte County while supporting our community’s artists and authors,” says Naomi Pringle, a novelist who is helping to coordinate the event. “We hope to bring authors and artists together in a place of learning with a fun atmosphere.”

Hirsh, along with Michael Schiavo, wrote “Terri: The Truth,” about the medical rights case that sparked a national debate. He will discuss his career and how he broke into publishing.  The lead program at the Christmas Bazaar will be “A Conversation with Michael Hirsh.”  Hirsh is a Punta Gorda resident, New York Times best-selling non-fiction author, and Peabody and Writers Guild Award winner. He has written books about American forces in Afghanistan and the liberation of Nazi death camps by the Allies during World War II. 

Pringle, author of “Ginga′ Root Tea,” will lead a discussion of the controversial book, “The Help.” She says reader interest is high regarding the book, which explores race relations’ in 1960s Mississippi through the eyes of a white woman and her black domestics.

Ft. Myers attorney Anne Dalton will discuss media law for authors and artists. She says oftentimes creative people need expert advice to protect their intellectual property and reap the full benefits of their creations.

David Abraham, author of “Burr,” will talk about how to write historical fiction. He has published several works, including semi-biographical as well as historical works. “Burr,” his most recent work, is set largely in Florida, where the title character journeyed prior to his trial for treason.

Local columnist and author, Diana Harris, will discuss her book “Englewood Lives.” Since its publication several years ago the book has become the standard volume for information about Englewood and other points west of the Myakka River. Harris, who writes a weekly column on history for the Charlotte Sun, is an engaging speaker who leaves audience both informed and entertained.

John “Dedo” Cristina, will outline various modes of artistic expression for adults and children. Cristina, whose children’s art session at the recent Artsensation event sponsored by the Arts & Humanities Council was a huge success, works in mediums as varied as oils and polymers to wood and paper.

Books, as well as artwork, jewelry, beadwork and crafts by local artisans, will be on display for sale throughout FGCU and the attached Artisan’s Atelier on Olympic St. Both venues are conveniently located in the free city parking structure at Taylor St., just west of U.S. 41 North, with restaurants and a farmers market within walking distance. That means vendors and guests will be able to conveniently park next door to the venue.  “My art is a part of me, it’s a passion, I can’t not do it, Dedo says. “It excites me, it’s a reason for being, and I do like to share it with other people. I like to see other people excited.” 

“I’m excited about a chance to show community residents and guests just how talented our neighbors are,” says Debra Paradise, a cloth doll artist who also is helping to organize the event. Paradise creates dolls based on real and fictional characters or portrays characters participating in their popular pastimes, such as biking, reading, etc.

The Christmas Bazaar will also feature a Children’s Garden where children can have their faces painted and listen to a professional story-teller. The Children’s Garden will be located in the Artisan’s Atelier, where chaperones will assist younger writers and painters compose and send letters to Santa.

Festival-goers have an opportunity to discover FGCU’s ultra-modern Punta Gorda campus. FGCU’s continuing education instructors will present mini-lectures during lunch hour and take audience suggestions about possible upcoming courses.

 “We feature artists’ works on our walls and we host several other cultural events in addition to our continuing education classes,” Nancy Staub, program director at FGCU, says. “The Christmas Bazaar is a way that we can share what we do with the community by helping to communicate FGCU’s message.”

Authors and painters will also discuss their works during an open-mike feature at the bazaar.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Authors and artists who wish to sign up to sell and display their work should call Nancy Staub at 941-505-0130 or Naomi Pringle, 941-258-4920.

(Provided by James Abraham)