Show supports alternate art
Chronic Town to host third alternative arts and crafts show
By Anita Modi
COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER
It might sound like just another
craft show, but this isn't your grand
mother's crochet.
The Underground Artisans
Marketplace, an alternative crafts
show, will share the stage with the
Central Pennsylvania Festival of
the Arts this Sunday, offering visi
tors another opportunity to appreci
ate local talent.
Chronic Town, 224 W College
Ave., a downtown hookah lounge
and store, will host the day-long
event.
“When you say ‘craft show,’ it
sounds like old ladies,” said Jesse
Ruegg, co-owner of Chronic Town.
NOW LEASING
r
j •'
/x l ** L y
» r °h£?
nS*«
**<
m 3 P’l O X 3 PI Fitness Center, Study Lounge
on college avenue & On-Site Laun'
"Our artists use art forms to create
something a little different, a little
edgy, something not as common."
Ruegg said examples of such art
work could include anything from
skull-and-erossbones embroidery
to re-purposed vintage clothing,
combining traditional media with
non-traditional ideas.
The idea for an "alternative
crafts show” in State College was
inspired by the popularity of similar
shows in bigger cities across the
nation, show organizer Kristen
Smeal said.
Many of these shows carry a rep
utation for having environmentally
friendly pieces, Smeal said
something the altnemative show
boasts by showing local artists uti
lizing recyclable materials in their
craft.
Centre Hall resident Leighann
Sammis said her customers refer
to her as the "Master of Recycling,"
intrigued by her printmaking and
jewelry designs.
Sammis said she will sell
bracelets and necklaces made of
watch parts, bottle caps and
Scrabble tiles, among other materi
als, at the event.
As a new artist who just graduat
ed from art school last year,
Sammis said the Underground
Artisans Marketplace was easier to
get into than Arts Fest, which usu
ally features more experienced
artists.
Smeal said the event is a great
FOR
Closest Apartment Community '
to the Stadium!
CATA Loop Stop at Entrance
Spacious Furnished Efficiency,
I & 2 bedroom floor plans
Courtesy of Kristen Smeal
A pair of earrings displayed at a
previous alternative arts show at
Chronic Town.
opportunity for local artists
experienced or not —to advertise „ .
~ • , Reporter Chris Zook contributed to
their work. ~ " .. ,
“It’s a showcase for local arti- tsa 10
2011*2012
•' • -fa* • . . i
. 'V ? if A;
r - ■ V ' • •
i '%*-■* •,
NOW
sans.” Smeal said. "A lot of vendors
have their own web pages, but this
is a great way for them to get their
work seen in person."
This is Chronic Town's third year
providing a venue for 12 independ
ent artists, many of whom have
returned each year to share the
diversity' of their artwork with their
visitors.
“Were not separating the arti
sans from their spectators," Ruegg
said.
“The whole experience becomes
the art.”
To e-mail reporter: arms373@psu.edu
■ . .. T * ■
SING PRIME
Oil