Artist Elizabeth Fraser, Organizer of the Craft Fair, This Evening.

“Lobster Dock”,  an oil painting by Event Organizer Elizabeth Fraser. For sale at $675.00.

Some of the Colorful Waterfront Photography of David Sullivan,  Ogunquit. www.dsullivanphotography.com (207) 332-0746 (Photo by David Sullivan).

Uschi Carhart, of Yellow House Knits, Poses With Several of Her Unique Hand-Knit Caps. The Cost is $25. Each.  Everyoe on Your Gift List Deserves One of her Hats!

Becky Wright Poses With Some of Her Plant Pots

This Woman Bought a “Poppy” Bowl From Lacey Goodrich for her Mother-in-Law Whose Birthday is December 12th.  She Will Probably Add More “Poppy” Pieces in the Future.

The annual ‘Art on the Hill’  craft fair got off to a rousing start this evening when many people showed up for the  event after a pandemic pause last year.   It’s held at East End Community School, 195 North Street, Munjoy HIll with ample street parking in the area to accommodate drivers.   The event has been a fixture on the Hill for so long and yet no one really remembers exactly how old it is.  But it is a tradition on the Hill that is always well attended.  And for good reason.  The quality of the work of the artists continues to be extremely high.

Artist and Munjoy HIll resident Elizabeth Fraser, Fraser Art Studio, has been the solo organizer of the fair in recent years.  Because of the pandemic no fair was held last year.  But this year to accommodate the COVID-19, “we made some changes,” Fraser said this afternoon.

The numer of  artists displaying at the fair was scaled back by about thirty artists.  Usually, there are about 90 artists.  But out of respect for the pandemic, this year there were 60 artists.  More space between vendors than in past years was the norm this year.  Fraser, a self-taught artist, is known for her pet portraits that make popular holiday and birthday gifts.

At the front door of East End Community School, there was a supply of face masks for anyone needing one. Hand sanitizer was also available.  Most people  were wearing face masks as they entered the elementary school on the HIll.

One of the original participants in the fair is Lacey Goodrich, of LaceyPots.  Goodrich is the designer of creative, hand-painted and colorful vases, pitchers,and  bowls that are easily identifiable.  “Since Elizabeth took it over, it’s awesome.  She is so easy to work with,” said Lacey.  Elizabeth rolls with the punches where ever they may fall.” Goodrich pottery is for sale at Maxwell Pottery, Old Port, of Portland. (See below right photo of one of her signature pieces of pottery.)

Becky Wright said this was the fourth or fifth year she has participated in the Art on the Hill Show.  “I get inspired by a lot of color.”  She was an art major at USM where she also earned a degree in art education.  She taught elementary school art for 19 years in southern Maine. Her pottery is also available at Maxwell Pottery, Old Port of Portland. (See left photo.)

It was a cold and windy night – one where warm hats and mittens were on the minds of many who attended.  A stunning display of hand-knit hats were on display by Munjoy Hill resident Uschi Carhart, of Yellow House Knits.  “We are all wearing face masks here to protect ourselves from COVID-19.  We do the best we can to protect ourselves here,”she said.  “Sales have been slow, but steady,” she said.

Color was very present by many of the artists at the show.  No where did they show up more attractively  than in the colorful waterfront photographs on display than those of David Sullivan, of Ogunquit.  This is the first time in the fair for David.  (See top right photo.)

Remember:  There are no supply chain shortages at “Art on the Hill!”

Art on the Hill runs from Saturday betwen 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.  On Sunday it runs from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.  It’s all happening at the East End Community School, 195 North Street, on Munjoy Hill.

For more background information, please visit post herein dated December 8, 2019 – the date of the last Art on the HIll event – prior to the pandemic.  Please also visit: www.SEAportland.org for more information.