“Navajo Corn Maiden” by Sabrina Lay at “Art in the Wild”
One for the money. Two for the show. Three to get ready. Sneak peeks at three spring events taking place the first half of April are delivered neat and tidy in this Easter basket of Bob’s Art Blog.
“Those who have…” refers to the veterans of an annual rite, the season known as “Art in The Wild,” Friends of Wildwood’s gift to the public of landscape art. The 12th edition, opening April 7, features quite a few surprises.
Back in 2012 in its initial offering, AITW founder, Elizabeth Johnson and friends, felt it imperative that the park’s exhibit, open to the community, would engage the public on all levels, provide good public art, and place an emphasis on educational opportunities. Time marches on to 2024 and a field of 17 participants. Visionaries like Marcy Brenner, Donna Curanzy-Seltzer, Moe Hickey, Mary and Paul Lundeen, Olivia Susskind and Jim Caufield have steered the event over the years. Chris Reber, long-time Wildwood Park manager and Richelle Corty, environmental educator, add additional annual support in the day-to-day operations through the six-month run of AITW through Sept. 30.
Beau MacGinnes and his mother, Jana, past back-to-back fist-place award winners, shared the theme this year is “Nature Heals.” Their team includes Aubrey McNaughton, sister, and daughter respectively, and Debbie Reihart, city parks guru, who approach this installation from an ecological point of view with reforestation as its primary focus. In its simplest form, a woodland creature plays a vital role in forest ecosystems. This character is solely responsible for the continued growth of tree development purely by accident. Without revealing its identity, this culprit is taking shape by the hour and day as the team builds from the ground up. On Sunday, April 7, the public gets to meet the artists and can choose to saunter, stroll or scurry and scamper to see what this forest hero drops to replenish the woods.
In terms of AITW artists, they fit into two categories. Having discussed the first already, the group of “those who haven’t” are newbies to the fray. Both sets of participants are equally important in carrying out the tradition. In any annual event, especially one now in year 12, the x-factor needed is to add fresh ideas to the mix to ensure the event’s growth and success in years to come.
Included in the group of those who have are Richard Cary and Maria Joel, will-o-the-wisp woodsman, Ray Curanzy, Lorayn McPoyle who loves the soil, student Ava King has a certain ring, teacher Cindy Mindy, you can’t make that up, the Marcus family of four may leave their mark for sure, and Sabrina Lay may save the day with her “Navajo Corn Maiden” (pictured). Double R’s, Stephen Reinhart and Carol Reed at one end balance Indie Kachel and Tracie Houston, rounding out these time-tested terrain technicians. Chomping at the bit to start creating includes the Heather Whipple family of six promising to gather sticks. Student Yianna Karagianis and Emma McDowell Best individually add fresh takes while dynamic duos, mother and daughter, Samantha and Adeline Lezcano as well as Cortney Malecki and Tracy Buikema prove two may be better than one. Again, behind the scenes, Mick Corman and his intrepid group of student videographers at Capital Area School for the Arts, captures the installations to perfection.
Circling back to the trail’s beginning, team MacGinnes put the finishing touches on their outsized installation. As to the identity of their forest hero, all Beau would say is, “sometimes you feel like a nut!”
Great Minds Think Alike
In the case of the title listed above, a dilemma arose when great minds decided the day to honor spring is April 14, just a few weeks away. On the east shore, Sara Bozich, yes, the one and only, unveils her third annual rite of passage with Plants + Pints on that day from 1 to 5 p.m. at Strawberry Square in Harrisburg, while the west shore raises the curtain on their second Earth and Arts Festival, held by the New Cumberland Collective, on the lawns of the New Cumberland Library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A scene from last year’s Plants + Pints in Strawberry Square
If one were to distinguish between the two, the main difference is Plants + Pints may be better suited for the over-21 set as craft beer is a featured attraction. Sara promises that “suds may splash so make a dash and be sure to stash some ready cash for this bash!” With swag bags, exciting demos, and plant-based food vendors, it’s all for a worthy cause to benefit Downtown Daily Bread, feeding the unhoused. Plants + Pints might be just the ticket for you. Shine Delphi will be providing a live soundtrack to make certain the plants enjoy the day. With well over a dozen vendors and vegan cooking demos from Chef Craig Ward of his eponymous Ward of Health restaurant, as well as Chef Corrie of Downtown Daily Bread, health and wellness will be the key items on their menus. Free city parking on Sundays, this family friendly community event will be a sure hit. Buy tickets for $20 (adults) and $10 under 21. https://sarabozich.com/event/plants-pints-2024/
Artist Steph Holmes at last year’s Earth and Arts Festival
Jon Crum, festival chair and Alana Bubris of New Cumberland Collective tout the second annual Earth and Arts Festival as “an arty party for the planet.” It’s a free family get together for the entire community to celebrate spring in all its glory. With all the hoopla surrounding the event, it promises to be bigger and better than last year. With workshops, hands-on activities for the kids, food and fun, and just all out fabulous, you’ll be counting down the days till the 14th. Speaking with some of last year’s participants, artist Steph Holmes of York shared, “The day was amazing with a great turnout, and the reception at my stand came from art lovers of all ages.” Nature inspires Steph’s fine art renderings of flora, fauna and fantasy finding favor with young and old alike. Kid crafter “Kiwi” McNaughton of Harrisburg, age 9, stated, “Sales were brisk all day” as she sold out of her one-of-a-kind handmade clay bracelets perfect for kids and adults. Perhaps as the youngest crafter there, she co-opted the booth with grandmother Jana MacGinnes, artist and soap-maker selling her vegan soap with partner, Barb Kline. This year, they’ve added some new nature-inspired tea soaps. Live music, a plethora of garden topic talks and demos from two dozen “advocates” for those of “the green thumb way of life” will inform and educate from A-Z, and did I mention food trucks with an entire street full of options? Follow New Cumberland Collective on FB and IG for more details or visit their website.
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