From buying flowerpots made out of recycled records to making a little person out of wood and scrap metal, the Mamaw Menagerie arts festival had something to satisfy everyone's taste for the eclectic.
Saturday's festival, which featured local crafters, artists and musicians, was first held in 2007 after one of its founders went to a similar event called the Grandma Party. After doing some research and discovering similar events all over the United States, Mamaw Menagerie was born.
Many of the founders of Mamaw Menagerie had left the Gainesville area, so the event was not held in 2008, but Thomas Callihan, a UF sophomore and one of the original founders, wanted to see it brought back this year.
"Gainesville has nothing for young artists - no outlet to sell their art," Callihan said.
He said most of the other art festivals in Gainesville are geared toward an older crowd and those willing to pay more for the goods.
Amanda Pokorny, a graduate student at the University of Central Florida, also helped Callihan organize the event and find young artists from around the Gainesville area to sell their art.
UF graduate Dan Sostrom was one of the many vendors that attended. Sostrom's business, Tone Vendor, sold about $1,000 worth of CDs, records and other music-related items.
Christopher Kristiansen, a recent UF fine arts graduate, wanted to make some space in his house by getting rid of some of the artwork he accumulated during his time at UF.
Mamaw Menagerie drew a large crowd, attracting people from all over Gainesville anxious to see what the artists put together this year. Most everyone who attended the event was notified by word-of-mouth.
"It's better than the traditional art fairs I've been to around the U.S. There is a lot of variety, and the prices are good," said Julie Perreau, a UF freshman. Perreau heard of the event through Facebook and decided to come and check it out.
Pokorny and Callihan chose The Kickstand because of its parking availability and because they wanted to promote The Kickstand's cause.
"[The Kickstand] offers bike shop services and teaches people how to fix their bikes," said Eliza Lutz, board member of nonprofit The Kickstand.
Vendors were charged $30 for a 10-foot by 10-foot area. All booth money went back into the event. The remaining money will be donated to The Kickstand.
