The 5th Annual San Diego Arts Festival—the best ever in quality and variety— returns to the San Diego Convention Center November 23, 24, 25. The festival features 200 of America's best contemporary craftspeople and fine artists offering 15,000 original works. The event has become not only the premier art and craft show in San Diego, but is also developing into one of the top art festivals in the county; many of the artists who exhibit at such renowned events as the Sausalito Art Festival, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver, and the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, now also exhibit at the San Diego Arts Festival. The festival, unlike many other area fairs, is strictly juried with exhibitors selected for the originality and quality of their work. And festival visitors have the exciting opportunity to meet and talk—actually share in their creative passion and knowledge—with these talented artists and craftspeople who have come to San Diego from all over the West and as far away as New York, Virginia and Florida.

Strolling through the festival, attendees will see a vast selection of extraordinary work. For example, eighteen ceramic artists are exhibiting their stoneware, porcelain or raku works, offering clay creations ranging from functional hand-thrown plates, cups, tea sets and vases, to whimsical sculptures and hand-made tile tables. Or consider wood. Sixteen woodworkers, each specializing in the carving, turning or laminating of a variety of domestic or exotic woods, are offering such works as candlesticks, salad bowls, jewelry boxes, tables, lamps, and chairs.

In fine art, fifty painters, working in watercolors, oils, pastels, and acrylics, are displaying traditional and modern, landscape and still life, animal and floral, portrait and abstract, whimsical and surrealistic, originals and limited-edition prints. And fourteen sculptors are exhibiting works ranging from bronzes that fit on the mantle to giant welded assemblages suitable for the yard. Regarding personal adornment, thirty-seven jewelers, working with gold and silver, enamel and fabric, precious and semi-precious gemstones, are offering rings and necklaces, earrings and pendants, bracelets and brooches, constructed or cast, forged or fused, simple or elaborate.

Attendees can also shop from a wondrous selection of handmade wearables and accessories or from an extensive assortment of functional and decorative glass. In fact, every category of fine art and contemporary craft—including drawings, printmaking, photography, decorative fiber, leather, metal, stone, and two and three-dimensional mixed media—is thoroughly represented by a variety of exhibitors.

Shoppers will find spectacular works of art and craft in all price ranges for themselves, their homes, and as one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts.

In addition to all the visual art, the festival features continuous live Main Stage entertainment including jazz, blues and world-music groups.