Outdoors enthusiasts were treated to a special show on Nov. 8 and 9 as they traveled around Cabela’s in Tilden Twp. and discovered more than just deer displayed in the “Deer Country” exhibit. Spread throughout the area were 11 artists from the Hamburg Area Arts Alliance displaying and selling their outdoor inspired works for the annual fall “Art Show Celebrating the Great Outdoors.”
Many familiar faces were on hand to talk with those passing through and answer questions about their various works. During some downtime, some of the artists even took the chance to work on their next piece as attendees looked on. The artists chatted among each other as well and generally had a good time catching with each other and introducing their art to new fans.
There was a little bit of everything from paintings and photography of wildlife and the outdoors, woodturnings, jewelry, books, decorations and unique finds such as artwork on antlers and feathers. Even those who are familiar with the artists were able to see new creations and find what could be the perfect gift for the upcoming holidays. More so it would be a one-of-a-kind, unique gift that no one else would have found.
At the start of this fall’s show was Dan Christ who is coming up on his 37th year as a full-time wildlife artist this coming up January. Along with his oil paintings, Christ was showing and selling limited edition signed and number prints, painted turkey tail feathers, post cards, oval prints and puzzles of his paintings.
Next in the exhibit was Pir jo L’Esperance which had handcrafted plates, cups, framed tiles, ceramic garden sculptures and jewelry. Pirjo is a landscape architect and garden designer but materialized her love of animals and nature into her pieces.
Popular with both children and adults was Kathy Miller who is an award-winning nature photographer and author of the “Chippy Chipmunk” series. This time, Miller had advanced copies of her latest “Chippy Chipmunk” book which is set for release January 2015, but early copies can be found at the Hamburg Art Gallery, Firefly Bookstore and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Bookstore. Also available were note cards, notepads, magnets and framed photographs.
Award-winning painter Kenneth Liskey displayed and sold his outdoor inspired artwork including wildlife which was a big draw for the children, places he has been, historic places and lighthouses. Cards with prints of the oil-paintings were also available.
Roger Anderson of Bucks Woodturners and Keystone Woodturners had wood bowls, vases, spin tops, Christmas ornaments, small birdhouse ornaments, lighthouses and wood wine bottle stoppers made of all different kinds of woods. The younger crowd was delighted to try out the spin tops including some that even spun on fingers.
Richard Smale displayed and was selling matted and framed images and photos of wildlife and landscapes primarily of Alaska. Smale is a photographer who enjoys photographing nature and Alaska.
Brother and sister team Levan Stone Art had one-of-a-kind stone art available including stone owls, fish, mushrooms, snowmen and even decorated mason jars with lights.
Mark Hoffman had a display of wooden bowls and boxes with antler knobs, antler pens, wine stoppers, antler earrings and antler lamps. The lamps were a new addition this year.
One of the artists who took time during the exhibit to start on some new pieces was Gail Savage. She featured her nature art in watercolor, colored pencil and also wildlife on feathers. Some of the pieces were even made into necklaces and small boxes.
Fleetwood High School art teacher Elaine Hilbert displayed and sold her eco-friendly jewelry made of re-purposed and recycled materials, paired with coconut shells. Hilbert is proud to say that no two pieces are alike.
Rounding out the show was Jen Painter who worked for more than 15 years under the late Lester P. Breininger and continues to Sgraffitto red and white earthenware with both contemporary and older Fraktur designs. Christmas pieces were also available.
It was a great weekend for the artists who had a chance to show off their artwork to the public and it offered a chance for the public to pick the artists’ brains about their work, technique and experiences.
