If you’re committed to keeping things local here in the Delaware River Valley, you may be getting a lot of your food from local sources. But locavorism doesn’t need to begin and end with food. One of our area’s greatest local commodities is art…some of which will be on display Labor Day Weekend at Art in the Garden, the annual art and craft show held at Paxson Hill Farm in Solebury.
The 14th annual Art in the Garden will bring together 60 local artists and artisans, including printmakers, photographers, painters, ceramic artists, jewelry designers and much more. Artists’ booths will be scattered around the beautiful grounds of the Paxson Hill Farm nursery, which offers professional landscaping services and plantings throughout the year. The farm also is home to a menagerie comprising peacocks, emus, llamas and one or two very large pigs.
The beautiful setting and quality artwork lead many to make a day of this wonderful annual event. But it also offers a great opportunity to put the local multiplier effect to work by purchasing a few early holiday gifts for others …or yourself…from local artists and artisans. Remember, dollars spent at independently owned local businesses circulate throughout the community many more times than dollars spent at national chains (whether brick-and-mortar or online). According to one source, 45 cents of each dollar spent locally is reinvested in the community vs. only 15 cents spent at national chains.* Buying anything made locally — food, art, furnishings, clothing, services — can help the local economy survive and thrive… and keep our downtowns independent and interesting.
Freshbyhand
By way of full disclosure, I’m breaking with my usual blog format here for a little self-promotion. My micro-biz, Freshbyhand, will be among the vendors at this year’s Art in the Garden. I’ll be selling the hand-painted and collaged picture frames and mirrors available at my Etsy shop (www.etsy.com/shop/freshbyhand… or see link in the right-hand column), along with some new pieces, like these.
All of these one-of-a-kind pieces are made by upcycling wooden frames left over from a previous business and materials and “outtakes” from my art prints. The prints were made using a variety of techniques — an eco-friendly form of etching, mono print, collograph, linocut, chine colle and stenciling. The imagery is inspired by nature, colorful printmaking remnants and the creative possibilities of paint, ink and glue.
Show Details:
- What: Art in the Garden art and craft show
- Where: Paxson Hill Farm, 3265 Comfort Road (off Rt. 263), Solebury Township, PA
- When: Saturday, 8/31 and Sunday, 9/1, 10 to 4:30, rain or shine
- Free admission
- More info at: www.paxsonhillfarm.com.
sustainablechoices.net 