I did my first art fair this summer, the Old Mission Art Fair, selling items from Old Mission Gazette’s sister site, our online store at OMPstore.com. I was pretty nervous about the whole thing, but my friend Marge Long, a vendor at The Red Dresser in Traverse City, helped ease my mind by offering tips and helping me set up my area in the gym at Old Mission Peninsula School.
And then something else happened to help calm my nerves. Gilbert Carrizales, a local artist here on the OMP and someone I’ve known forever, came over to my area and gave me one of his beautiful heart-shaped Petoskey stones. I was so touched, and it’s just what I needed at that particular moment.
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That’s how Gilbert is. His art business may be called Grumpy Art-Works, but he has a big heart and a great passion for the Old Mission Peninsula community. His whole family is that way. His parents were a big help to me when they picked apples back when I was running my brothers’ apple orchards. They were a calming presence in the apple orchard that I will never forget.
Now it’s time for all of us to help Gilbert through a health crisis. Terry Hooper and Mary Lardie have teamed up to organize an art sale fundraiser for Gilbert at Hooper’s Farm Gardens, 2399 Kroupa Road, on Saturday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Gilbert, who’s endured through two strokes and two heart attacks, just had foot surgery related to diabetes that will side-line him for a long time.
Well known in the farming community, he has also become a driving force behind the Old Mission Art Fair mentioned above, and has generously donated Petoskey stones to each student at Old Mission Peninsula School.
Sales of his Petoskey jewelry and other artwork at the fundraiser will help with hospital and living expenses during his healing process. Other folks have donated items to sell, as well.
Tell your friends and neighbors, and stop by Hooper’s Farm Gardens on Saturday and check it out. Food and refreshments will be shared.
Again, the fundraiser for Gilbert is Saturday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Hooper’s Farm Gardens, 2399 Kroupa Road on the Old Mission Peninsula.
If you would like to donate items for the sale or have any questions, feel free to call Terry Hooper at (231) 649-2826.
