Gourd Artist Andrea Jansen Shows and Publications

Welcome to a treasure trove of finely crafted collectibles, designed by award winning Caribbean gourd artist Andrea Jansen.

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Shows and Publications

Artist Statement

Awards

Shows and Publications

Comments and Questions

Articles
"The Accidental Artisan", All At Sea Magazine, July 2008.

"Como Pez en el Agua", El Nuevo Dia, San Juan, P.R., February 1, 2007.

"Innovadora de la Higüera", El Nuevo Dia, San Juan, P.R., July 15, 2006.

"Interview with Gourd Artist Andrea Jansen", The Gourdzette, California Gourds, Jaunary 8, 2004.

"'Higüera' Diferentes a la Artesania Local", El San Juan Star, San Juan, P.R.,
November 28, 2003.

"Alza vuelo el arte en un taller lajeño", El Nuevo Dia, San Juan, P.R., July 7, 2003.

Upcoming Shows

November 1, 2008
Aguadilla, PR
December 14, 2008
Festival de Bacardi
San Juan, PR
January 8-11, 2009
Plaza las Americas
San Juan, PR

I had my first article published this past July, titled The Accidental Artisan. It chronicles, briefly, how Ken and I became the Captain and Crew and got involved in the art world.

The following juried shows are some of those I have attended since becoming a licensed artesan in 2002.
	FERINART, an International Festival of Artists held every other year in Spring, is located in various public plazas throughout Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Artists from around the globe are invited to these shows, sponsored by the City of San Juan and the Department of Tourism. These are a lot of fun, and for 8 days performers from over 20 countries delight the crowds.	Beautiful glass jewelry and lamps from Colombian artist Daniel Castro
	The International Gourd Art Festival, held at the Welburn Gourd Farm in Fallbrook, California each June, is one of the most popular shows for gourd artists in the United States. Participants from across the country, including Hawaii, and as far away as China and me, here in Puerto Rico. Attended in 2007 and 2003. An annual Gourd Art Competition, sponsored by the California Gourd Society, is held in conjunction with the festival. A show dedicated exclusively to Gourd Art, it draws thousands of visitors annually.
	Artesan Festivals at Plaza las Americas are held every January and June. This mall, the largest on the island,is (rumor has it) the most money-making mall per square foot in the entire United States. Go figure. In the capital of San Juan, Puerto Rico, these shows are some of my favorites (for obvious reasons). I have been attending whenever possible since 2003.
The San Sebastian Annual Street Fair, held every January in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, began initially as a small celebration showcasing local artists, but has become one of the largest, most popular festivals on the island. At one time the crowds got quite rowdy, causing the city to ban the use of glass containers on the street, but now it's 4 days of partying in beautiful, historic Old San Juan, with its cobblestone streets and colorful houses. The Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña has a juried competition for artists to display in the Antiguo Cuartel de Ballajá, or Old Barracks of the historic fort (right). I once tried to do both this fair and the January show at Plaza las Americas (see above), and although it was a great experience all-round, it was too much and I've opted for the mall. You must remember, I live on a boat in a small fishing community.
	Annual Bacardi Festival, held the first and second Sundays of December, is sponsored by the Bacardi Corporation of Cataño, Puerto Rico. 125 artists from around the island are invited for each Sunday, making this juried show highly prized among the thousands of registered artists around the island. I have been attending annually since 2003, and in 2005 created a custom wine bottle holder which was presented to Sr. Angel Torres, the President of Bacardi Corporation.
New York's own Ray Rosario is becoming one Puertorriqueno to watch!	Primera Feria y Exposicion Annual de Artesanos Puertorriquenos, The First Annual Puerto Rican Festival at Hunter College in Manhattan, was held in November 2006. The festival was well received by the local Puerto Rican community, and introduced many to Puerto Rican art, food and music. A real treat for me was being able to stay with my family in New Jersey. A good time was had by all!	I talked Sis into helping with the show.
	Fiesta del Acabe del Café de Maricao, or Coffee Festival, held in the charming mountain town of Maricao each February. Sponsored by the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, it's a lively festival where the streets are closed to everything but pedestrian traffic, and everyone parties until almost midnight.
	I have been invited to different shows all around the island, and some have certainly been more enjoyable than others, but hands down, the most beautiful spot to sell is during Christmastime at the Villa Montana Beach Resort in lovely Isabela, on the Northwest corner of the island. Under the shade of a palm tree and with this beachfront view, can you blame me? For more information, see their website: www.villamontana.com

How to Contact Us:
Andrea Jansen
P.O. Box 3039, Lajas, P.R. 00667
Telephone: 1-787-309-7197
info@andreajansendesigns.com