So, what have the artists in the Pennsylvania Wilds been up to during the pandemic?
Find out this weekend, when the 15th annual Art in the Wilds will take place at Evergreen Park in Kane.
The Art in the Wilds Committee is returning to in-person activities this year after holding a virtual event in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, said Executive Director Merry Ryding.
It’ll be held “Rain or shine, but we’re really hoping for some sunshine,” she noted.
Visitors will see a mix of 2D and 3D art in media including painting, pottery, fiber arts, wood, jewelry, mixed media, glass, sculpture and photography.
“We have 36 artists, those who had been accepted in 2020 were automatically in for this year since last year had to be virtual because of the COVID situation,” Ryding explained.
“As with every year we have many artists returning and also make a point to include new people,” she said.
In 2020, people were able to view and purchase the artists’ work on the event website, but people missed the face-to-face interaction with the artists. Ryding predicts there will be an excited crowd for 2021.
“We anticipate a lot of interest — people are anxious to be outside and going to events after this past year,” she said.
According to Ryding, organizers are considering the safety of attendees when scheduling the in-person event. The committee had previously stated they plan to follow CDC guidelines, too.
“We have spaced the artist’s tents farther apart to accommodate some social distance,” Ryding said.
Get a sneak peek at featured artists by visiting artinthewilds.org or the Art in the Wilds Facebook page.
Due to COVID, the committee was not able to hold the student art show this year, but they plan to bring it back in 2022.
Art in the Wilds is held on Alumni Weekend, so there are always a number of other happenings that attendees can check out, too.