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Artisan of the Year Award winners: an interview

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The Artisan of the Year Awards were started in 2011 to celebrate those juried artists and artisans who make an impact in our region through their medium. The first recipient was photographer Curt Weinhold a PA Wilds juried artist from Potter County. Weinhold believes that “the “Wilds” brand & logo has definitely aided in photo sales. I always make it a point to mention the PA Wilds to out of our area visitors.” He also had thoughts on the new brand launch: “I love the PA Wilds concept which is recognition of this special area of North-central PA for its beauty & talented artisans.” Thanks Curt!

“The people and communities across the Pennsylvania Wilds contribute in many ways to this exciting Conservation Landscape Initiative,” said Jim Weaver, Chair of the PA Wilds Planning Team, which organizes the awards. “By identifying and celebrating the wonderful work that is being done across the region, the PA Wilds team hopes to inspire others to catch and harness the enthusiasm that is the essence of our rural communities.”

2015 Artisan of the Year Award recipient Julie Mader firmly believes that the award helped further her career, sell her work, and jury into local art shows. Her answers were so full of love and honesty that I had to share them in their entirety. Mader’s response captures the soul of what so many of us involved in the PA Wilds feel; I hope you find them just as wonderful.

“The first thing that comes to mind in regard to my career is that I was delighted to be contacted by Ines to have my artwork included in the PA Wilds show at Crary Gallery in Warren – At the opening event, it was wonderful to be surrounded by gorgeous artwork and touch base with fellow artists which I only see from time to time – but also feel connected through the PA Wilds program. I had a painting of Kinzua Creek headwaters sell at the opening (that was quite a thrill… I’m thinking being labeled as Artisan of the Year on the exhibit wall could have been an influencing factor—it certainly didn’t hurt.)

I was contacted by Mt. Aloysius College last spring in regard to my Power Within collection and an exhibit of the works was written into a PPA grant application, which received funding and is currently on display thru the end of August at the college.

I believe that having 2015 Champion of the PA Wilds Artisan of the Year listed under recognitions lends notable credibility to my CV.”

The typical creative person is remarkably shy and introverted throughout their lives; awards are confidence builders and give artists that extra bit of courage to create their art. This shared belief between Julie and I prompted a follow up question concerning confidence:

“When someone asks what I do, and they discover that I am an artist, I enjoy talking about my artwork as well as the wonderful people that I meet in the classes that I teach and the projects that we make together. I feel that I am still not very good at talking “face to face” about myself and tend to shy away from it; if I am with my husband or an “artsy” friend during an encounter, they certainly don’t hesitate to share information in regard to the award – if someone else brings it up I am fine talking about it…I think it simply is an influence of my upbringing of “don’t show off” being worked into my system from childhood.

My current plans include making contact with other regions of the State to continue sharing The Power Within. I do have BIG exciting ideas that I want to pursue for the collection, but it will take time and I need to go step-by-step to get there. In the studio I am working on a new series of paintings, and once I have enough of a collection built up I will begin applying to be considered for shows. Knowing that the PA Wilds stands behind me allows me to step out of my comfort zone. Being able to send out a resume with a section titled ‘Awards’ boosts my confidence level, and I believe offers to someone who doesn’t know me at all a sense of security in regard to the quality of my work and my dependability.”

I am always curious if the PA Wilds juried artists and artisans use social media to promote themselves; Julie felt as though it was easier to promote herself from behind a keyboard:

“When I am behind a computer screen, somehow talking about recognition is easier, and I have included references to the award on my website and did include a post on social media last year when I received the award… so I will say again, YES my confidence has increased over the past year!”

The PA Wilds is obviously a boon to Julie’s art and career, and I was curious how the upcoming brand launch on April 28th would affect the relationship with the Wilds:

“I think everything going on with artists in the PA Wilds is quite exciting and I would like to increase my involvement with what is going on. I am currently part of a cohort of nine artists across the State supported by the PA Council on the Arts who are taking classes to receive Teaching Artist Certification.

The process of studying and homework tends to take-up a large percentage of my “free” time; when I graduate from the University of the Arts program in December 2016, I plan to become more deeply involved with the PA Wilds artists and trailheads. My homework time will be transferred to production time and allow me to participate more fully in the incredible opportunities such as the pop-up shops and the Etsy team that the brand offers to the juried artists.”

Julie is also the 2016 ECCOTA Heart in the Arts recipient and the 2014 Pennsylvania Council on the Arts “Best of the Best” PPA Projects Award winner

This year’s Artisan of the Year Award goes to Steve Getz of Clinton County.  Read more about Steve from last week’s  The Wilds are Calling blog post. Congratulations once again Steve!