Ten artists affected by the 2005 hurricane season will receive a free booth at the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft, the nation’s largest wholesale craft show, February 17-20, 2006. To further aid affected Gulf Coast artists, the Philadelphia Buyers Market will also host a Mardi Gras-themed fundraiser to benefit the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) on Saturday, February 18, 2006, at 8 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Billed as an event to “Help CERF Help Artists” affected by the 2005 hurricane season, the fundraiser will feature a raffle and live music from local Philadelphia band Zydeco-A-Go-Go. Party guests will have the opportunity to win a variety of prizes in the raffle, including a free two-night hotel stay at the summer Buyers Market, July 21-23, 2006.

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase beginning at the Buyers Market’s opening Jewelry Preview on Thursday, February 16, 2006, at 4 p.m., until the final drawing at the party on Saturday evening. Raffle tickets are $5 for one, $20 for five; but entrance to the party is free for all Buyers Market attendees.

CERF, a national arts nonprofit that provides direct financial and education assistance to craft artists affected by natural and other emergencies, has distributed over $49,000 in grants, loans and other services to artists affected by the 2005 hurricane season. CERF director Cornelia Carey is scheduled to help host the event.