I know…today is April 1, the day reserved for foolish pranks and such. Replace the ‘F’ in Fools with a ‘J’ for Jewels and read on for a few of April’s art gems. And April 2 is reserved for our beautiful daughter’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Aubrey “Mc”! Just one of the artists for “Art in the Wild,” Aubrey and family provide the perfect segue for…
Art in the Wild’s Lucky #13 (How a “Space Oddity,” Oz, Mother Nature, and Avian Sky Walkers all landed in Wildwood Park).
What started as a cool idea, and a revolutionary one at that, from Elizabeth Johnson and the original group of “Friends of Wildwood” 13 years ago has certainly proven “Art in the Wild” is here to stay. Initially an effort to bring more visitors to Wildwood Park from spring through fall by installing unique land art throughout its 3.1-mile trail, “Art in the Wild” gets better every year.
“Our Thoughts Can Change the World” by Craig S. Bomberger. Photo by Jana MacGinnes.
For 2025, the field of 19 installations will test the limits of the theme “Pathways,” with both literal and figurative interpretations of what the word entails. The commitment landscape artists make first and foremost is a love of nature and beauty. Couple that with imagination and innovation and the picture comes into focus. For 13 installations, veterans from previous years step forward to lead the way for six new entrants, three of whom are students and one of whom is a group of guildsmen. Step by step, this core of creators begins with a proposal, an outline or sketch and site selection to build out their concept. Starting the process in January, the actual groundbreaking begins March 2, and by March 31, installations must be complete as it opens to the public on April 6. That day is reserved to showcase the new art and for the public to meet the artists from 12 to 3 p.m.
New to AITW, with a reputation for hand-painted silk scarves and paintings poised positively palpable, is artist Craig S. Bomberger. He takes “Pathways” literally as his installation “explores the neurological pathways to our brain and how visually they appear to be trees and tree branches,” according to the artist. The end result is more than thought-provoking as “Our Thoughts Can Change the World.”
“Mother Nature on the Run” by Jill Lippert and Mark Cummins. Photo by Jana MacGinnes.
There are new students like Wil King blazing “Freedoms Path” while Brooke Hamilton is “Untangling Choices.” Courtney Djane twirls in ‘The Dance of Pollination.” Brian Kenny proceeds nicely, “Following on the Pathway.” Rebecca Schultz must be well-versed in geometry for her “Tranversal(s).” The final new entrant finds the Susquehanna Valley Chapter of the Pa. Guild of Craftsmen (say that five times as fast as you can) proves that the sum total is greater than its parts. I wonder if they “whistle while they work?” After all, “Snow White” is resurfacing as you read this, will this new edition “dwarf” the original? Will the craftsmen gild the lily? Their take: “Our Pathway Through the Arts” may answer all. The “Guild” lays the groundwork for the seven dwarfs with colorful ceramic tiles and mushrooms along the path. No wonder ‘Sleepy’ was a little late.
Among the returnees are The Trek Crew, holdovers from the “Star Trek” series, whose sequel is “Trek Your Trail.” Copy that, Captain Kirk. Steven Reinhart adds to his ‘stick’ repertoire from years past by adding “A Few More Sticks.” Emma McDowell Best throws a school of psychology into the mix with her “Gestalt Barriers.”
Veteran, multi-dimensional artist, Carol Reed, known for natural dyeing in indigo and eucalyptus, brings her vision full cycle in “Journeys.” In her words, Carol revealed, “Pathways is the sense of movement or journey inherent in the word. I want to provide a network to be traveled. One with many options for direction and interesting stops along the way to meet fellow journeyers and create something together.” Much like Craig stated earlier, Carol feels the “Network created can be regarded as ‘neural pathways,’ roads or lines on a page.” Beyond that, “The landscape and the wildlife in Wildwood Park are an inspiration and a joy to interact with while planning, installing and viewing the art.”
“The Yellow Brick Road” by Chip Hitz. Photo by Jana MacGinnes.
Richard and Maria Joel take a break from stage design and gardening to ponder “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” in their latest offering. Jill Lippert and Mark Cummins as a team strike ‘a fine balance.’ Together they present an indelible interpretation, 100% naturally organic “Mother Nature on the Run,” complete with bow and arrow. Stalwart veteran Chip Hitz’s “Wizard of Oz” homage brings to life Dorothy’s companions for her journey on “The Yellow Brick Road.” The Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion are all present to protect her and Toto along the way. Cindy Mindy, indeed, returns with a three-parter. The name of her piece is “Triad Tee Trail: Heaven, Man and Earth.” You may be over the moon when you see it.
More repeaters find Tracie Houston coming back to “Let It Bring Hope.” Fingers crossed, Tracie! Lorayn McPoyle walks the runway or the water with her “Elegance Afloat.” Sabrina Lay circles back for this round and is “Walking the Walk.” If one were to put birds of a feather on stilts, high above the treetops, festooned with seashell shoes, you may be envisioning Sabrina’s latest installation for AITW. Her avian Sky Walkers not only Walk the Walk, they squawk the talk. What a group of artists, but where is woodsman extraordinaire, Ray Curanzy, a fixture over the years at AITW? At this point, I needed to make a call to Richelle Corty, the educational director for Wildwood Park. All it took was me posing the query, “Where is Ray Curanzy?” Without missing a beat, Richelle answered, “Marrying me in May!” You can’t make that up. Question answered and best wishes to the double RCs, Ray and Richelle! They won’t even have to change the initials on their towels.
“Walking the Walk” by Sabrina Lay. Photo by Jana MacGinnes.
Somehow, I almost forgot the all-time participant of AITW’s 13 years and someone quite familiar…my son Beau MacGinnes and my wife, Jana and daughter Aubrey, plus Debbie Reihart. But first, let’s go back a few decades. It was the summer of 1969, and I had just graduated from high school and the United States would land men on the moon in July. David Bowie had just released his huge hit, “Space Oddity,” the week before and “Major Tom” was somewhere floating out in space desperately searching to find a lonely planet. The MacGinnes’s vision for “Pathways” takes place in outer space thousands of light-years away. Their installation finds them exploring a new galaxy as their title reflects a “Lost in Space” (remember that relic of a TV show) sort of feel? Their unique art is called “The Lonely Rolling Planet” and does not borrow from “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” but writes a new chapter as this go-round marks their lucky 13 AITW iteration. “Time to conquer a new solar system,” shared Beau MacGinnes with his art partner and mother, Jana. Sister Aubrey McNaughton donned her space helmet and was on board immediately. Debbie Riehart was outside the spaceship putting final touches in place for their mission. “Imagine if you will a sphere of tangled branches and limbs, gnarly and twisted grapevine hurtling through space, breaking the speed of sound, gathering the detritus of space particles packed potently in a ball of beguiling bounty growing bigger and bigger by the minute, obliterating everything in its path. KA-POW!”
“The Lonely Rolling Planet” by Beau MacGinnes, Jana MacGinnes, Aubrey McNaughton and Debbie Reihart. Photo by Jana MacGinnes.
As “The Rolling Lonely Planet” bursts through the Earth’s atmosphere, its forward momentum found it stopping at Wildwood Park just in time for the April 6 opening day. “The Lonely Rolling Planet” is protected by a force shield forming pathways from a meteor shower. “This is ground control to Major Beau; you’ve really made the grade.” It will be on view through Sept. 30. Watch it visually change through the three seasons ahead and marvel at how nature holds the ace up its sleeve, always a surprise, no matter what time of year.
Operating behind the scenes for “Art in the Wild” are Chris Rebert, Wildwood Park manager, another long-time fixture responsible for so much of the well-cared-for and cultivated beauty of Wildwood Park. Chris always credits the volunteers for their vital role in the park’s maintenance. As mentioned previously, Richelle Corty is the environmental educator and the go-to guru for AITW, coordinating so many aspects of the event. Shawn Williams, professor of the Fine Arts Department of HACC, will be the guest interpreter this year for the installations and artists. Critiquing the works in a ‘no judgment zone’ has only heightened the camaraderie among the group. Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA) new Film and Media Arts teacher is Alexander Zemaitis, a 2017 alumnus of the school, who will be guiding students in capturing AITW on film. Alexander is the creative design director of Moonrise Candle Co. with his dad, CEO Paul Zemaitis.
In conclusion, our lives take us on many “Pathways” at each stage of our journey. Some lead to nowhere while others inspire to everywhere. At times anywhere may do, yet the most meaningful is somewhere… to the road less traveled. Life is a series of labyrinth-like twists and turns. One leads to this while another leads to that, but they all point to finding your own way.
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