Holiday Gift Fair offers art of Berkeley buildings and DIY crafting

"With her whimsical illustrations of beloved Berkeley landmarks, artist Cara Goldstein seeks to honor the significance of the city's architecture and remind Berkeleyans that each building has a story and a historical relevance. Berkeley house by Cara Goldstein. Courtesy of C. Goldstein If you've recently passed through Pegasus Books Downtown, Payn's Stationery on Solano Avenue, or Mrs. Dalloway's, ImaginKnit, or Berkeley Organic Market, all in the Elmwood, you'll probably recognize Goldstein's art through the prominently displayed postcards, greeting cards and stickers illustrating these storefronts,"

"Goldstein also recently designed a commissioned Pride-themed sticker for Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii that mashes up architectural gems from various parts of the city, including The Oaks Theater on Solano Avenue, Old City Hall in Downtown Berkeley, a historic Victorian home in North Berkeley, and an antique store in the Lorin District (South Berkeley). Cara's artwork captures the charm and character of our city beautifully, said Melissa Male from the Office of the Berkeley Mayor."

The Berkeley Holiday Gift Fair will be held Dec. 4, 3-7 p.m., at Hotel Shattuck Plaza, 2086 Allston Way, and is free to attend. The event will feature more than two dozen local vendors, including illustrator Cara Goldstein and Smiles Handcrafted, a women-owned craft shop on MLK. The fair is organized by the Berkeley Chamber and sponsored by the City of Berkeley Office of Economic Development. Cara Goldstein creates whimsical illustrations of Berkeley landmarks sold as postcards, greeting cards, and stickers in local shops, and she designed a commissioned Pride-themed sticker for Mayor Adena Ishii.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org