STATE COLLEGE - David Greenbaum caught the essence of the annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts as many see it: a display of some of the best and most unique art around that changes every single year.
Greenbaum, a 39-year-old potter who lives in Shohola, won an Award of Distinction at the Arts Fest last year for a ceramic vase, so he decided to experiment with something new this year while still staying in the realm of pottery. Instead of vases, he's displaying and selling bells made for the outdoors.
"They're unique and unlike a lot of pottery because they're made to be outdoors year-round and are maintenance-free," he said. "I was able to formulate clay that withstands freezes and other challenges the outdoors might bring."
The bells, which include parts made of stainless steal and brass in addition to Greenbaum's special clay and hang from a swing made of cedar wood, attracted interest from many visitors to Greenbaum's booth the first few days of the festival, which ends at 5 p.m. today.
Lisa Naples, one of the five jurors selected each year to evaluate the art and decide who wins awards, said it was her first visit to Arts Fest, and that it exceeded her expectations.
"I've never seen an event that's as well organized as this one, and sense of community that comes with it is a big part of it," said Naples, a sculptor from Doylestown. "There are a lot of artists presenting, and there's a great selection."
There are $23,000 in prizes up for grabs for the presenting artists, and the awards will be given out this morning, said Naples, who jotted notes and ratings down on a clipboard during numerous rounds of the booths.
The business and interest from attendees at this year's Arts Fest has been steady, despite the recent heat wave many thought would deter people from coming to the outdoor festival, said Stan Megdall, an artist from West Bloomfield, Mich., who displayed glass sculptures.
"A lot of people have been coming by, and we're making a solid amount of sales and a lot of people are looking, so it's good," he said.
Not 10 seconds after the words came out of his mouth, two women walked by.
"Oh, look at that," one said to the other and pointed to one of Megdall's flower-themed pieces. "Everything is so different and pretty here."
Mirror Staff Writer Scott Muska is at 946-7435.
