Metal Garden | Artisans Gather For Annual Art In The Park Show
Sensual scents waft from sage and lavender soaps, rainbows glint off stained glass suncatchers and delighted children squeal while being chased by foam crocodiles. It’s all part of the annual Art in the Park.
The Allied Arts Gallery Association’s 61st show continues from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today in Howard Amon Park off George Washington Way in Richland. Admission is free.
“This is the best place to shop and meet friends you haven’t seen in ages,” said Mary Jane Lewis of Pasco. “I rarely miss a show.”
Many of the nearly 250 artists and craftsmen are new this year, including Kevin Sybrowsky of Salt Lake City.
He creates metal garden artwork — check out his bobble-head dogs and cats — but what really catches the eye are his cauldrons of dancing flames. They are firepits, though some stand on 4- and 6-foot metal columns, made of metal bowls and fired either by gas or wood.
“They’re something new this year and are proving to be very popular. I sell a lot of them,” he said.
Sybrowsky cuts swirls, stars and other designs into the steel.
“So even when there’s no flames the cauldrons are decorative. You have a piece of sculpture to enjoy all the time,” he said.
This is also Kathy Wetherell’s first time at the event, even though the Kennewick artist has been selling at craft shows for almost 35 years. She makes purses from recycled wool and this year added soft, plush tea sets made of handmade, washable felt.
Wetherell’s daughter, Christie Wonders of Kennewick, said, “Her inspiration was my 9-year-old niece, Emily, who has just about every food allergy there is, plus environmental ones too.
“We visited her in the hospital and there wasn’t anything warm and friendly in the room. She can’t have stuffed toys because, unless they can be washed, they carry allergens.”
Other newcomers are Harold and Rhonda Chase of Chase Honey Co. of Otis Orchards. They have a variety of honeys, including one flavored with huckleberries, and beeswax candles molded into animals, pine cones, bee hives and other shapes.
Many artists return year after year but always have something new to offer. Pianist Gary Jess of Federal Way has been
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