The Pennsylvania Wilds Artisan Trail held a jury session at the Ridgway Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center last spring.  We are proud to announce the artists whose scores earned them membership in this unique network of artisans and the new trail sites that will populate the PA Wilds Artisan Trail map.

New Artisans

-- Diane Delarme, acrylics/oils, Warren County;

-- Teresa Genaux, fiber/alpaca, Cameron County;

-- Marilyn Dunkle, watercolor, Warren County;

-- Tonya & Dan Wennin, photography, Cameron County;

-- Carol McDonald, mixed media, Forest County; and

-- Jim Merritt, photography, Elk County (renewing membership)

New Trail Sites

-- From the Forest Gallery, at the Forest County Visitors Center;

-- The Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County;

-- The Crary Art Gallery;

-- Sinnemahonning State Park; and

-- Old Charm Gift Shoppe.

Since its inception in 2006, this program has proven to raise visibility and profitability of artisans and arts-related businesses in the PA Wilds by increasing sales of high-quality products made by local artisans and traffic to local galleries and retail shops.

Use of the “Proudly Made in the Pennsylvania Wilds” brand helps command a higher price while getting more of these items to market through retail partners throughout the region. A key benefit to joining the PA Wilds Artisan Trail is the ability to advertise under the PA Wilds Artisan Trail brand, and benefit from its strong online and social media presence as well as print materials to help artisans more easily market their products to residents, visitors, design professionals and the like.  

For more information on the program and our Fall Jury Session, visit the PA Wilds Artisan Trail website or contact trail manager Ines Nelson by sending email to: pawildsartisans@yahoo.com or 814-688-9336. 

The PA Wilds Artisan Development Initiative is funded with support from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Appalachian Regional Commission.

To learn more, visit the PA Wilds website, find us on Facebook/PAWilds or on YouTube.

7/30/2012