Artists gather in Williamsburg to showcase their work

Sally Lazaar has been attending AOFTA for 15 years, and has been producing her art since the 1970s. "They're all made of white pine," Lazaar said. "I cut them all myself. I shape them with my sander and use an exacto knife...I don't work on just one at a time but each piece can take up to two or three months to create." (Andrew Harris/WYDaily.)

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An Occasion for the Arts, Williamburg’s annual arts festival, took place last weekend on Duke of Gloucester and Boundary streets.

Visitors viewed and purchased artwork from a wide variety of mediums, including painting, photography, pottery, jewelry and fashion.  They also enjoyed dance and music performances, as well as food and drink from local restaurants and breweries.

AOFTA has been a fall staple since 1969. According to the festival’s program, 145 artists from 25 states attended and showcased their creations this year, with 55 of those being newcomers to the festival.

“The festival has always been well attended and we enjoy doing it.  It’s great to do a show and have people come up to you after two or three years and say, ‘I bought a piece from you.’ That makes it really enjoyable,” said Georgia artist and eight year festival goer Donald Portschy.