Arts and crafts abound at ArtFest

The Tarpon Inn courtyard fills with art each spring for ArtFest L ooking for a one-of-akind handcrafted objet d’art? The annual Art- Fest in Port Aransas is a good place to start.

The fifth annual Art- Fest will feature an array of fine arts and crafts for sale Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Keeping with tradition, ArtFest will be held in the courtyard of the historic Tarpon Inn, 200 E. Cotter St.

In 2009, artists offered paintings in oil, watercolor, acrylic, mixed media and prisma color, surfing art, photography, handbuilt, wheel and sculpture pottery, hand-painted glass, jewelry in sterling silver, handcrafted beads, handmade soap, painted wine bottles, wood art and wood turnings, ceramics, flower pots and more.

A similar array is expected in 2010.

A youth arts and crafts activity area will be included in the festivities, with a different craft featured each day. No fees are charged at the youth center, but donations to help cover the cost of materials are encouraged.

ArtFest is sponsored by the Art Center for the Islands, 323 N. Alister St. The center is a non-profit organization.