Visitors to the 29th annual Arts Alive Springtime Arts and Crafts Festival will have the opportunity to find unique hand crafted items, explore their own creativity, view dynamic performances, and listen to the sounds of local musicians. Traditionally, this popular annual event has been the place for Mother's Day shopping.

The 2-day Festival is held outdoors in a colorful, historic, Danish West Indian farm, known as Tillett Gardens. The event is scheduled for Saturday May 9the and Sunday May 10, 2009. Festival hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, featuring works by local artisans, performances, and special interactive hands-on, artistic activities. Meals, snacks, and beverages will be sold at Jack's Restaurant located in the garden. Admission is free. Tillett Gardens is located near Four Winds Plaza on Route 38 East, 4126 Anna's Retreat. "This festival is the oldest consecutive arts festival on St. Thomas," explained Lynn Berry, Executive Director of Arts Alive. "It's a rewarding opportunity to support local artisans, as well as a wonderful venue to find unique gifts for your family and friends."

The Tillett Gardens resident gallery and studios feature silk-screened fabrics, pottery, jewelry, candles, local crafts, and Tillett's famous silkscreen prints and maps. The garden will be surrounded by inviting kiosks and tables full of one-of-a kind locally produced items. Featured craft items include: functional and decorative pottery, wearable art, sculptural clay art, garden art and decorative plants, beaded jewelry, folk art, hand painted ornaments, scented soaps, and candles. The Festival offers a variety of free activities catering to art enthusiasts of all ages. Participants will have the opportunity to explore their own creativity and discover new forms of expression.

A variety of musical entertainment will be offered on the main stage from noon until 4:00p.m. each day. The main stage will also feature special performances by the Pistarckle Theater troupe.

Arts Alive is administered by the Tillett Foundation, a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) arts organization. Its mission is to present quality visual and performing arts in the Virgin Islands and to involve and encourage young people in the appreciation, study, performance, and exhibition of fine music and visual arts. For more information about Arts Alive Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival, call (340) 776-8566.

This project is supported in part by a grant from the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal funding agency in Washington, D.C.

For information call Arts Alive at 340.776.8566, email artsalive@tillett.net.