By Lauren Siebert
The fifth annual Treasures in the Ozarks Arts and Crafts Show is returning to the Hardy Civic Center Oct. 1 and 2.
From handmade quilts to wooden bowls and cutting boards, the event features a wide variety of vendors and a little something for everyone.
According to Event Coordinator Traci Moore, this year the show will be held from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Oct. 1 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 2 with a 9 a.m. church service prior to opening Sunday.
“I am so excited. Watching all of the talent coming to town it is going to be something else. This area is chocked full of talented crafters and artists. This gives us a platform for them to showcase to the community and to the world,” Moore said.
Moore noted the artists and artisans and artists who will be in attendance will have handcrafted one-of-a-kind items, but there will be vendors on site who can also create custom and personalized keepsakes.
“There are hand crochet items, aprons, table skirts; too many to list.. There are so many wonderful vendors coming. We’re talking about talented folks who can give you customized and personalized items right here,” Moore said.
Vendor spaces are limited, and the successful past and positive reputation of the show means spaces fill up quickly.
“Booth spaces are $75 for a 10 by 10 space and $50 for an additional space. They can have a booth inside or outside and power is available,” Moore said. “We will hold the show rain or shine.”
For more information, visit Treasures in the Ozarks on Facebook or contact Moore at 901-326-2092.
Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late ’60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit.
Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000.
After Drew became director, she took the region to the next level by helping the tourism organization create a new website and moved it from the old newspaper paper tabloid publication to a color magazine format. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. Over the years, Drew has helped the organization meet new marketing goals, such as in- and out-of-state marketing, assuring that all 100,000 copies of their magazines are distributed each year.
In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. The tournament continues to grow each year, allowing the organization to expand its co-op program and helping each county have dedicated promotion. Drew stays busy at Ozark Gateway as the ad sales manager, magazine editor, day-to-day office operations, trade show representative, and magazine distribution representative, all while ensuring that the region is represented all over Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Drew was featured in several local and statewide publications over the years, as well as the 1997 cover of the Ozark Gateway Region tabloid, along with her then 4-year-old son, Jon. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow.
She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. She now serves as their co-election coordinator, helping with behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and poll worker training.
Drew is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs’ current membership chair.
In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry.