The Island Artists and Christmas Crafts exhibit on Capital Hill opened on Dec. 1, 2008 and ended on Jan. 1, 2009.
Exhibit coordinator Parker Yobei yesterday said total sales from the exhibits of 47 artists who joined reached $1,250.00.
“This indicates that sales had been good and the economic slump on island did not hinder the clients from buying the products on exhibit,” Yobei said.
He added that the number of artists who joined the exhibit last year more than doubled the participants in 2007, which only registered 22 exhibitors.
Yobei said they sold a few paintings and carvings but most of the sold items were crafts for gifts and Christmas ornaments made from woven leaves.
He said all the proceeds go back to the artists.
“We thank the artists for coming up with several new ideas and designs for exhibit,” Yobei said.
He said the annual exhibit aims to help local artists promote and find a suitable market for their artwork.
Over a hundred items were put on display in the art gallery, with the items ranging from $3 to $400 a piece.
Yobei said the Arts Council is optimistic that there will be more participation in the future exhibits both from artists and clients.
He said they are gearing up for the next exhibit to be held sometime in the middle of the year.
The Arts Council sponsors three major exhibits each year —the women’s exhibit in March, the Pacifica exhibit in September, and the Island Artists and Christmas Crafts exhibit in December.
Yobei said they are expecting the same artists who joined the exhibit to showcase their artworks in the Flame Tree Arts Festival this April.
