Art in the Wilds 2023
Art in the Wilds 2023
Juried Art Show Returns to Kane, PA for It’s 17th Year
Photos Courtesy of Art in the Wilds
Now in its 17th year, Art in the Wilds is returning to Evergreen Park in Kane, Pennsylvania for one of the region’s most anticipated juried fine art and fine crafts shows on Saturday, June 24th and Sunday, June 25th from 10:00am-5:00pm both days. Merry Ryding, assistant director, is looking forward to the participation of brand-new artists and the return of many familiar faces. After a competitive application and review process, Ryding said the panel of three jurors selected 38 out of 60 applicants to participate in this year’s show. “This year, we have a couple of new painters, a new jeweler, a new potter, and a new leather artist,” she explained. “I’m really looking forward to seeing what they bring and seeing new pieces created by our returning artists.”
The festival takes place rain or shine each year during the fourth weekend of June in the beautiful natural setting of the Allegheny National Forest. While good weather always ensures a good crowd, Ryding pointed out that the last weekend in June is also alumni weekend in Kane. “There will be a lot of people who are returning who have been away,” she noted. “They always like to bring back a little piece of home with them, and Art in the Wilds has kind of cemented that space.”
A small venue compared to some, Art in the Wilds is a thoughtfully curated group of artisans, many of whom apply each year. “We keep it small purposefully because it’s more fair to the buyers and to the artists to keep it small so that it’s not a diluted market,” Ryding explained. “We do try to curate it so that we have a good balance of artists.”
An artist and retired art professor, Ryding knows firsthand how important it is to create an environment that is friendly for festival goers as well as the participating artists. “We want quality artists to come, so if we can accommodate them with little things, like free bottled water throughout the day, free breakfast, and a special reception on Friday night, our hope is that they continue to come,” she said. Clearly, these efforts have paid off, as Ryding noted that approximately 90% of previous years’ artists apply every year to get in. “Some years, the percentage is even higher than that,” she added.
Art in the Wilds is pleased to welcome the following artists to the 2023 Show:
• Ceramics/Pottery: Lana Heckendorn, Karen McKee, Krysta Robinson, Amanda Wolf, Francine Zajac
• Fiber arts: Pamela Bartl, Connie Blair, Debbie Penley, Jill Rouke.
• Glass: Amy Hahn, Michelle Hoff, Kalpana Lehman
• Jewelry: Gerina Faison, Peggy Houser, Christina Krautz, Donna Little, LeAnne Marquis, Deborah Moyer, Kaylee Taylor, Diane Wright.
• Leather: Elie Abdelahad
• Mixed Media: Victor & Megan Huston-Field, Dawn Johnson
• Painting/Drawing: Chandler Beatty, Al Dornisch, Denise Drummond, Laura Gardner, Jack • Paluh, Ellen Paquette, Alexis Rodefer
• Photography: Jane Axman, Larry Downey, Rocky Holland, Gene Pembroke, Curt Weinhold
• Sculpture: Anthony Arkus
• Wood: Gregg Kristophel, Jack Northrop, Robert Vrboncic
In past years, the festival has awarded prizes for Best in Show and Honorable Mention in the two-dimensional and three-dimensional categories. “We’ve eliminated these award categories, because you end up having only two to four winners, and the remaining participants are not recognized,” she explained. “All of our artists do incredible work - there simply are no ‘losers’.”
New for 2023, the festival food vendors will include vegetarian food options. Ryding said all food vendors will be set up on Saturday and Sunday for the full hours of the festival. There is no admission fee to attend the show, and parking is available all around the area, including street parking. Importantly, festival goers should note that the borough of Kane does not allow dogs in Evergreen Park.
Those who are interested in volunteering or sponsoring are encouraged to contact the committee by email at artinthewilds.kanepa@gmail.com. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, all donations to Art in the Wilds are tax deductible. Art in the Wilds is able to promote the show with local and regional advertising. Donations also provide needed services for the weekend.
Supporters include grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Kane Community Development Foundation, the Cleland Endowment and the Northwest Charitable Foundation. Major sponsorships include Zook Motors and Ed and Julie Malmstrom. In addition, Art in the Wilds partners with several organizations including the Kane Chamber of Commerce, Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, PA Route 6, and the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania.
For more information visit www.artinthewilds.org or follow Art in the Wilds on social media. Applications for the 2024 show will be available on the website at the end of December and are due on March 1, 2024.
