At this frigid time of year, ice fishing is in full swing in Fairbanks, Alaska, once home to artist Kirsten Olson, now of Carlisle.

She is the ceramist/potter in residence at The Pond art studio on Pomfret Street in Carlisle. Having received her fine arts degree from the University of Alaska, Olson became enamored with the iconography of the far north, incorporating it into her vessels of rare beauty. The concept of ice fishing becomes “watered down” for a Valentine’s “Love, Love Market,” taking place this Friday, Feb. 11 through 14, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The image on the invitation is precise, concise and collaboratively cohesive. “Love” and its adornments fill the frame. Red roses arranged in a cream-colored ceramic vessel, held by the hands of a woman wearing elegantly simple jewelry, combine the talents and products of a trio of creatives, friends and cohorts. Olson, Brenda Leach and Shannon Babinsack share a common bond of unity and esprit-de-corps much like the Three Musketeers. For their first annual “Love, Love Market” at The Pond, the rapiers of the Musketeers have been sheathed with nary a blade in sight, save for the steel of a florist’s shears to cut stems from flowers.

Piece made by Kirsten Olson

Olson loves creating ceramic treasures, enjoys being surrounded with beautiful things, both natural and hand-wrought, relishes the company of good friends, likes to throw a party that lasts for days and appreciates meeting new people, she said.

Leach loves working with precious metals and gemstones. She designs exquisite necklaces, cuffs, bracelets and watches, using ethically sourced sea glass and pearls, as well. Leach works in silver, 22K gold and Argentium. She is a jewelry fabricator, executing fine, wearable art, elegantly simplistic and timeless. “I use traditional and ancient methods of jewelry making to design pieces with an aesthetic that is both classic and modern,” Leach explained.

Arrangement by Shannon Babinsack

Babinsack loves growing, showing and arranging flowers that are different from what one normally finds in florist shops. They are all seasonally grown and locally sourced, fresh from her Crimson Clover Flower Farm. The farm offers weekly flower share memberships to the public. Shannon takes great pride in her variety of botanicals and flora. She shared that “collaboration is key to reaching a wider audience and is crucial to creating an experience.”

Beauty is paramount in the range of gifts offered by these comrades-in-charms. Olson describes the idea behind the market as a “fun event that celebrates all forms of love, including the love we have as makers of our process, materials and patrons. Is there a better way to show the ones we love our feelings than with hand-made, from-the-heart art?”

Jewelry made by Brenda Leach

The Pond is stocked with lures galore, some shiny and sparkly, others crafted to hold the “catch of the day,” as well as fresh-cut posies, fragrantly rare. The best part? You can leave the fishing pole at home.

More Special Art Events for February

The buzz is all about HIVE artspace in York, which announced its February show, “Crush,” open from Feb. 4 to 27 at 126 E. King St. It’s an exhibit that explores the human heart and love in its ability to break and heal, as expressed by 40 local and international artists. A “Stateful Eight” group of artists examines the theme of love across varied mediums of expression. Making such heartfelt statements are Cecelia Ash, Quinn Berger, Tina Berrier, Gail Walden Coleman, Nicole Smeltzer, Faith Sylor, Daphne Watts and Chad Whitaker. For more info, visit Hiveartspace.com.

Susquehanna Art Museum will unveil two centuries of American landscape painting, opening Feb. 12 through May 22 in the Lehr Gallery. “In Nature’s Studio” encompasses early renderings of “bucolic American vistas, intimate forest interiors and sweeping panoramic views of natural wonders.” “In Nature’s Studio” is organized by the Reading Public Museum. For more info, visit www.susquehannaartmuseum.org.

The Art Association of Harrisburg will open its latest show, “Beauty & Discovery.” The artists’ invitational features the work of two abstract painters, Pamela J. Black and Jessie Waite, along with photographer, Ashley Moog Bowlsbey. This fourth Friday opening reception takes place on Feb. 25 at the gallery, starting at 5 p.m. Vocalist Benjamin Krumreig, will perform during the event. The exhibit runs through March 31. For more info, visit https://www.artassocofhbg.com. 

The Pond is located at 32-34 Pomfret St., Carlisle. For more information about the “Love, Love Market,” click here.

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