It was delightful to see so many old acquaintances and to meet some enthusiastic "animal lovers" for the first time at this year's Palo Alto Festival of the Arts. The weekend was so vibrant and upbeat that it still doesn't seem real that it was my last art festival of hundreds in the Bay Area over the past 15 years.

Yes, the difficult decision is made and the word is out. I'm retiring from art fairs and festivals. The two shows remaining will be my "fall retirement tour." Boulder City will be my last trip to Nevada and Fountain Hills becomes both my final Arizona show and the finale of my show circuit career. It is not certain how much I will work in ceramics in the future, but I'll certainly have plenty of fresh and original animal sculptures for these remaining shows. I hope to see lots of our good friends in both places. Please call or e-mail if there is anything in particular you want me to bring.

Last updated: September 8, 2008

Feb. 22, 23, & 24: FOUNTAIN HILLS GREAT FAIR, Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, Arizona. Fair information at: Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce

Aug. 23 & 24: PALO ALTO FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, University Avenue, Palo Alto, California. Festival information at: MLA Productions

Oct. 4 & 5: BOULDER CITY ART IN THE PARK, Boulder City, Nevada. Festival information at: Art in the Park

Nov. 14, 15, & 16: FOUNTAIN FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND CRAFTS, Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, Arizona. Festival information at: Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce