December 7, 2021 —The holidays will be here before we know it, and with it comes another KaLex Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale, scheduled for December 3 and 4, 2021.
The event started last year as the restraints of COVID and social distancing began to wear thin on morale. Several residents quickly organized a sale that featured the work of residents and staff. Nine exhibitors provided the artistically crafted items much to the delight of the shoppers.
“The event was both modest, and great,” said this year’s organizer, Ruth Tafel. “Modest because of how quickly it needed to happen to get in before the holidays, and great because we wanted it to include the KaLex community, all of it, residents and staff. Those who attended last year know what a spirit-lifting event it was.”
Exhibitors are required to be either a Kendal at Lexington resident or staff member to participate. While the artists must be part of Kendal, this year the event will be open for shopping to invited guests, as well. Last year, the event was managed with COVID protocols which limited the number of people allowed to enter at a time and tables spaced apart. This year, guests must be vaccinated for COVID-19 and wear masks to attend this indoor bazaar.
With the positive response from artists and crafters to this year’s event, Ruth expects there to be tables even spilling out into the hallway outside Kendal Hall. So far, the count has doubled over last year with over 20 confirmed artists and crafters preparing to sell their work.
A wide variety of art and crafts will include:
- Photography
- Hand carved birds
- An array of woodworking items such as cutting boards and turned pieces
- Felted handbags
- Jewelry
- Christmas ornaments
- Hand hooked items
- Weavings
- Jellies & jams
- Cookies
- Wreaths
- Quilted table runners
- Gourd art
- Notecards from drawings
- Heavy duty shopping bags with printed classic designs
- Custom return address labels
Participation isn’t limited to artists and shoppers – in fact, response and anticipation has been positive. Several people have already volunteered to help with the event. “People stop me in the hallway and tell me how happy they are that we are doing it again,” said Ruth.