By Kennedy Tavares
For the first time since COVID-19, SUNY Plattsburgh’s College Auxiliary Services will be hosting its 50th annual Arts & Crafts Fair this Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the newly renovated Field House.
One-hundred and twenty-two vendors from across the North Country will be in attendance at the fair, selling goods like pottery, quilts, jewelry and decor. Some vendors will include, RaknSak Photography, Ken’s Crafts, Wooly Mamas, Nature’s Findings and Aunt Jo’s Crafts.
CAS is a non-profit that was created to support SUNY Plattsburgh and its students in 1966. CAS provides scholarships, program development, campus and community activities.
Catherine Keleher, the executive director of CAS, is hoping this event will be a success so CAS can continue to support students.
“The money made at the craft fair is reinvested back into student services, grants, programming and scholarships,” Keleher said. “Although the fair does take a large amount of staff resources to put together, it brings in profit for CAS, which helps us help our students.”
Aside from goods being sold, there is more for attendees to look forward to. Concession stands will be present and serve food at the fair. In addition to typical concession fare like nachos and pretzels, Chartwells will be serving salads, wraps, soups and homemade chili.
Nicholas Agoney, director of conferences and events for CAS, believes that art is essential for SUNY Plattsburgh students.
“Art has been such a driving force during my time at SUNY Plattsburgh, both as an alum and now an employee. We hope that students venture over to the Field House to check out this event, as it’s a great opportunity for the campus community and locals to bond over a shared passion,” Agoney said.
Project HELP is a student volunteer collective that sets out to provide assistance to community members. There are 55 student helpers through the program that will be at the fair providing assistance to guests and vendors.
Aissatou Lo, a student event and marketing assistant, played a hand in helping curate the fair.
“The Arts & Crafts fair was always looked forward to before COVID. Students are excited about it this year, and it’s going on at the same time as Open House so some prospective students will be there too which will be nice,” Lo said.
CAS is anticipating that the Arts & Crafts Fair will be a way to unite students as well as the Plattsburgh community.
“We are proud to strengthen the relationship with the larger Plattsburgh community by providing a platform for local artisans and an exciting event for the surrounding area,” Keleher said.
General admission tickets will be $5 and can be purchased at the door. For children under the age of 12, and SUNY Plattsburgh students with a campus ID entry will be free.
