ST. MARYS — Artisans and manufacturers from the Pennsylvania Wilds region gathered for a pre-launch event recently, celebrating the inaugural PA Wilds Artisan Collaborative program offered by the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship Inc. (PA Wilds Center) and sharing a first look at some of the products they created together.

The PA Wilds Center’s Artisan Collaborative program invested in rural artists to help them develop and bring to market new PA Wilds branded products to meet growing consumer demand. The Artisan Collaborative created a path for participating artists to work collaboratively with manufacturers and the PA Wilds Center to bring new products to market that reflect the 13-county PA Wilds region’s beauty, bounty and rural traditions.

Participants in the program and the public were invited to celebrate the new and unique collaboration at Elcam in St. Marys, which will provide long-term fulfillment and logistical support for products developed through the program.

Four designers were selected through a competitive application last summer, and they worked with four manufacturers to develop designs between last fall and spring of this year. Designers participating in the program included Kelsey Kleiner and Julie Mader of Smethport, Ellen Paquette of Warren and Rhianna Speck of Linden.

Manufacturers participating in the program were XtremeWear of DuBois, Laughing Owl Press Co. of Kane, Organic Climbing of Philipsburg and St. Marys Box Co. of St. Marys.

As a pilot program, the first year of the Artisan Collaborative helps establish a benchmark for how larger or more established companies active in the PA Wilds Center’s network can collaborate with cultural artists and newer entrepreneurs. The program also gives creative entrepreneurs the opportunity to dive deeper into their businesses and become more sustainable and profitable, ultimately helping to build rooted local and regional wealth.

‘The artists had a range of experiences and background expertise, and matching them with the manufacturers was a unique process. When we got on the first matchmaking calls, we truly saw the energy that would come out of these kinds of collaborations,’ said Abbi Peters, PA Wilds Center’s chief operating officer. ‘Our team knew it was vital that we select manufacturers that could meet the scaling needs of working with the artists and market demand for these products, as well as create a variety of goods and have a passion for our region. Most of all, they needed to be flexible and creative. Helping to launch a nonprofit’s program can be uncharted waters for a business, and it’s kind of a wild ride. Each artisan and manufacturer rose to the occasion and created incredible products that proudly represent the PA Wilds.’

Peters spoke during the event, along with PA Wilds Center’s Founding CEO Ta Enos and PA Council on the Arts (PCA) Executive Director Karl Blischke.

‘PCA is thrilled to support the PA Wilds Cooperative Artisan Collaborative. This initiative connects the PA Wilds experience and brand with creators, artists, and makers, and local manufactures. This unique combination promotes the Wilds and increases economic opportunity,’ Blischke said. ‘The creative sector in Pennsylvania is important to promoting the quality of our communities as vibrant places and for our economy. The creative sector adds more than $30 billion to our economy and more than 189,000 jobs.’

The artists were paid for their designs, and they also were provided stipends to support professional development opportunities. While the products themselves vary, all of the designs are inspired by the unique place that the designers call home. Some highlight the landscapes or icons common in them, while others feature quirky cryptids to make people smile.

The new product lines are expected to be unveiled at the 2025 PA Wilds Dinner and Awards celebration July 24 at Brass 16823 in Bellefonte. The products will be available for purchase after that date.

Learn more about the event at WildsCoPA.org.

Pennsylvania Wilds artists and manufacturers gathered recently for a first look at some of the products created together through the inaugural PA Wilds Artisan Collaborative.

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