KANE — On and off rainy weather greeted artists, volunteers and visitors at the 12th annual Art in the Wilds show on June 23 and 24.
Attendance was down from recent years due to the weather, but an estimated 3,563 people braved the elements to enjoy the art.
Director Marilyn Blackmore said, “With 65 percent of attendees and artist sales of over
$50,000, artists still did well with 83 percent of the sales they made last year. It seems that
people who really want to buy good art come to the show even if they might get wet.”
Artist evaluations were extremely positive. They rated the show and their treatment an average satisfaction of 9.3 out of 10, with management rating a 10, followed by artist amenities at 9.8 and advertising at 9.7.
“The quality of the art keeps getting better every year as new artists add a variety of media and returning artists work to improve their skills and creativity to provide new products for their new and returning customers. Yet the art remains affordable and there is something for everyone,” said Heather Glogau, artist liaison.
All artists apply online and must be juried into the show each year.
Artist awards, consisting of large colorful ribbons and monetary prizes, were presented at the show. The awards are displayed in their booths and can be used at other shows or in their studios or galleries. Jurors visited each booth and reviewed each artist’s body of work and booth presentation. Best of Show winners, 2D work Ellen Paquette and 3D work Megan Whitten. Roland and Geno Boni and Jack Northrup received Awards of Excellence from the show jurors.
An expanded student art show and exhibition was a great success as students from McKean and the four surrounding counties brought wonderful pieces of art. The students had opportunities to mingle with the artists and ask questions.
Demonstrations took place in the gazebo on Sunday with artist Debbie Penley who turned a handful of wool into a sleeping fawn, Michael Weishan who spoke about how to get proper exposures for photographs, Connie Blair who demonstrated the process of hat felting, and Diane Castle-Babcock, who showed how to carve linoleum and create prints of several colors.
