Calligrapher Shirlee DiBacco works on a piece for a customer.
VENTNOR – Those who attended the Ventnor Cultural Arts Center’s 11th annual Holiday Art Show and Sale not only enjoyed seeing hand-made art creations, but also snatched up a few pieces for holiday gift-giving.
More than 30 artists and makers presented their creations during the show and some were demonstrating how they make their art. Vendors included fine artists, crafters, potters, fabric artists and leather workers.
Caligrapher Shirlee DiBacco was taking custom orders on the spot, creating small framed artwork with gilted words requested by the purchaser. On display were other pre-made pieces in ornate gold frames that upon closer inspection displayed some words that have only recently made it into Webster’s dictionary.
DiBacco said she does work for several New York City party planners and has done calligraphy for high-ranking officials and movie stars. Her work includes making place settings for such notables as Barbara Streisand, James Brolin and former President Barack Obama.
“When I made the place setting for Barack Obama I was trying to be very careful because I wanted it to be perfect,” she said.
Her place settings for Streisand and Brolin were done for a fundraising event at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Washington, D.C., but on Saturday, she was doing her finest work for Ventnor shoppers.
Other vendors included candlemakers, graphic T-shirt artists, woodworkers and jewelry makers. Local painter Steve Kuzma, who is also a musician, provided entertainment during the event.
Organizer and Cultural Arts Center Director Susan Van Duyne Hunter said she was grateful that so many residents and shoppers turned out to make it the best holiday show and sale ever.
