Local artist creates ‘Exotic Excessories’

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McCreedy's wearable art, such as this lime-colored belt with amethyst, will be on display at the Santa Monica Arts Festival.

Created with exotic materials such as stingray leather and unique gemstones, Sharyn McCreedy’s jewelry and accessories will be on display at the first Santa Monica Arts Festival

this weekend.

By Sean Caffey / Special to The Malibu Times

From the stage to the screen, Malibu resident Sharyn McCreedy has practiced what she calls an “eclectic” career. She studied and performed theater in England, spent time as a composer and singer/songwriter playing London clubs in her 20s, and ultimately embarked on a 20-year acting career with such roles as a bit part in a film directed by Johnny Depp and featuring Marlon Brando, and a small role in “Tin Cup” with Kevin Costner. McCreedy continues that eclecticism, now with her jewelry and “wearable art.”

For the past six years, McCreedy has created jewelry and accessories such as stingray and crocodile leather belts studded with fine gemstones.

“I’ve always done some kind of art, and this just happens to be the latest thing,” McCreedy said.

McCreedy calls her line “Exotic Excessories.”

“I’ve always been drawn to exotic things, and so my concept was to create one-of-a-kind crafts using exotic materials,” McCreedy said. “I was originally drawn to the stingrays in French Polynesia, which is one of my favorite parts of the world, and I was drawn to the stingray leather, so I began to do pieces and it just evolved from there.”

Born in New York, McCreedy has called Los Angeles, London and now Malibu home. “I moved to Malibu three years ago and I’m never leaving. It’s a great place to live-there’s a real sense of community,” McCreedy said.

Her work will be displayed and for sale at the first annual Santa Monica Arts Festival at the Santa Monica Civic Center opening Friday and running through Sunday. A variety of artistic mediums, ranging from fine arts to high-end crafts, will be represented. The festival is presented by American Art Festivals, which also hosts annual shows in Sacramento, San Jose and San Diego, and this will mark the second year that McCreedy has displayed her work through them.

“They approached me about doing a show in San Diego last year, and it was a wonderful experience. They have good quality stuff there and great artists,” McCreedy said. “I’ve only done the one show, but honestly, I was floored. The quality and care that went into selecting the artists-I was blown away. People will be surprised at this show, at the quality of the items there; it’s a cut above most of the kinds of art shows people might go to.”

The Santa Monica Arts Festival will be comprised of many artists in a variety of genres, following the tradition established by the producers of the event. Starting with their first show in Sacramento nine years ago, American Art Festivals has provided outlets for a wide variety of artists to show and sell their works. The exhibitors are chosen through a jury system on the basis of the “originality and quality of their work,” states the press release for the Santa Monica Event. More than 200 artists are scheduled for this weekend’s festival, with approximately 15,000 pieces of art on display.

The festival’s artwork will include watercolor and oil paintings, ranging from the more traditional to modern and abstract works, as well as bronze sculptures, contemporary crafts including stoneware and porcelain works, woodworks and “personal adornment” displays featuring items from 45 jewelers including McCreedy. There will also be “continuous main stage entertainment” including jazz and blues acts and artists creating their work live on stage.

Other featured artists of note are: Rosa Chavez, a painter from San Fernando who sells her work to individuals and corporations, San Francisco fashion designer and artist Mark Thomas, metal gourd artist Aaron Kramer, glass sculptor Christine Charter Moorhead and Myra Burg, who describes her art as “Somewhere between tapestry and jewelry.”

The festival takes place Friday through Sunday at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Visitors are instructed to use the entrance at 1855 Main Street. Event hours are: Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and cost $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, and children age 12 and under are admitted for free.

Further festival details are available at www.americanartfestivals.com