​It's finally here! The time has arrived. It's SHOWTIME! Come 10AM the show will be open. New faces, old faces, young faces, happy faces all mingling around Evergreen Park taking in the arts, nature, and each other. It's a time to socialize, to share your culture with the guarantee that anyone you meet will want to talk about something you're interested in. Art! Take the day to be extroverted for a little while, soak up the positive energy, then bask in the memories of this wonderful day when you're home with a new treasure of your very own.

I am personally going to drag my behind home from work, nap, then get right to the show to ride the positive energy to my next night shift. I look forward to seeing everyone there. No matter where you're from or how you got to Kane, you're welcome home at Art in the Wilds!

Now, to cap off the countdown with the last of our artists at the 2022 show.

Robert Vrboncic is one of those artists that you know by one glimpse of his amazing wood art. I recognize his patterned cutting boards every time I pass through the tents. You can tell that he has a mathematically creative eye towards his work. It's in his three dimensional designs. They're strikingly beautiful made to stand out while also matching up with your favorite kitchenware. Functional art makes the very best tool in the kitchen!

Curt Weinhold is one of my favorite photographers. He has a great eye for color with the patience to time his captures and catch the best palette in his images. His long-running series on Nightscapes, photographing the starry skies, is unlike other artists at the show and he is happy to tell you where he took each photo. It will make you want to travel to see the subject in person so you have a story to go along with your new wall art!

Michael Weishan out of Cattaraugus, NY, brings a new artistic eye to Art in the Wilds with his nature photography. He captures the grand majesty of the world around us in a way that puts preservation in mind. Not only will you want to cherish one of his photographs as a new treasure, but you'll want to find the location of the photo's subject and make certain it is just as pristine as the image is for the next generation to enjoy.

Amanda Wolf brings functional art right to your hands from the inspiration found right in our backyards. Trees and birds and flowers galore, you'll find anything you could want and so much more! Her pottery would look great anywhere, including your kitchen counters. Better yet, they're all functional and made to work safely in the dishwasher and microwave. It's always fun to have art you can use to inject a bit of happiness into your daily routine.

Lastly, but not leastly, is Francine Zajac. Another new and greatly appreciated potter joining us this year at Art in the Wilds. She has a flare for color, patterns, and textures she brings to life with her designs and glazing. There's a unique piece fit for anyone's tastes. You might just find something to pair up with all the other treasures you'll be bringing home with you!

See you in the park!

The show is almost on. The park is prepared, the artists are converging. Soon some empty tents will be filled with fantastic art and then the park will be filled with everyone coming to visit. Now, after taking a tour around the show, make a longer trek to the other side of Evergreen Park. There's a fun children's playground, tennis court, and even more nature to enjoy right in the heart of Kane. If you're staying for the weekend and don't want to miss church, there are several in town to choose from that would love to have new visitors in for service.

To the artists!

Kathleen Schnell out of Wellsboro, PA, has a love for stained glass. As a glass artist, she explored the craft and fell upon the wonderful world of Fused Glass. What she makes goes beyond the two dimensional 'window' into three dimensional shapes. There are a combination of colors, shapes, textures, and a whole slew of her own original ideas inspired by, you guessed it, nature!

Dan Sullivan's glass art jewelry is not only wonderful on their own, he has an amazing way of setting up his tent display that is art, as well! Where other artists might use a brush, he uses a torch to manipulate a delicate medium into gorgeous, colorful, powerful designs you'll want decorating your neck any day of the week. His stuff sells quick so if you see something you like, don't hesitate!

Hailing from Olean, NY, Kaylee Taylor is a self-taut metal artist creating intricate jewelry you'll have to see to believe. She connects us to nature through her work. It radiates in her designs and she utilizes natural materials such as wood, bark, and antlers integrated into her pieces. I can already see a few of her star creations becoming someone's new beloved accessory!

The show is charging up faster than I can crank out praise for 2022's artists. Nevertheless, there's always time to sprinkle some praise onto our volunteers, as well. Everyone has worked hard to adjust to the rigorous demands of organizing the show and doing everything we can to accommodate the changing times. By adjusting to changes, we do seek to preserve the very heart of Art in the Wilds. Providing a place here in the PA Wilds where art and culture can be shared will always be our number one priority. I look forward to the show every year and I know you all do, too. 

Perhaps while you're strolling through the park, and stopping at the Hospitality Tent, you'll offer a 'thank you' to our volunteers at the park. A smile, a nod, those could make someone's day.

To the artists!

Debbie Penley has been a popular artist at past shows. Her unique fiber creations bend the notion of what fiber can do and if you don't know what that means you absolutely, positively, have to stop into her tent and see what she makes up close. She molds fiber the way potters mold clay into fun interactive shapes that are, of course, inspired by nature. I had a great time last year hearing about the fun little creature currently clinging to my ceiling fan cord. You'll want one for yourself!

Alexis Rodefer is one of those artists that captures my interest when I'm editing the show program. Each artist writes up a statement to be used in the 20+ page newspaper insert and I'll often need to trim them to fit. Alexis made it extra difficult to trim her write up because she has an enthusiasm about her work that is inspiring in itself. Her watercolor art will capture your eye and your heart.

Jill Rouke out of Erie, PA, brings her love of weaving to the wilds. She specializes in fine threads such as silk, bamboo, and even thread made of recycled plastic. We love anything preserving the environment around here! It certainly adds to the already aesthetically impressive appeal of her scarves. I'm going to have to see about buying a new colorful neck snuggie at this year's show and I hope to see you all there, too!