More than a dozen wildlife and nature artists will open their doors on June 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the 10th annual Hawk Mountain Arts Tour & Sale in Berks County, a free and self-guided driving tour that is open to the public.
The annual event includes the work of painters, sculptors, potters, and other artisans, and features a chance to explore the rural countryside of historic Albany Township. A free printable map and artist list can be found online.
"The Arts Tour is a great excuse to get outside and explore backcountry roads, take in beautiful scenery, and along the way, see a huge variety of art and meet the artists in their own homes and studios," says Hawk Mountain spokesperson Mary Linkevich, who helps organize the annual event.
She suggests that visitors review the artist list, then plan to visit their top three stops first. "You always spend more time than you think at each stop, so don't try to do it all," she advises.
Linkevich adds that although the route is numbered, visitors should mix it up, too, and begin or end at any location. "It's a completely self-guided tour, so the route is up to you," she explains.
During the Arts Tour visitors to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary will have an opportunity to see blacksmith artist and chainsaw carver Todd Gladfelter in action, as he demonstrates his craft outside the Visitor Center.
Other stops are located in the valley below Hawk Mountain. Just two miles down the road is wood fired potter Willi Singleton at Pine Creek Pottery. Beyond, most stops are within two to three miles of one another and connected among a string of country roads that pass fields, forest and streams.
Artwork is diverse and includes wildlife paintings, fiber art, sculpture, folk art carving, stained glass, woven seats and baskets, photography, redware and wood fired stoneware pottery and more.
Artists will be on hand at each stop to meet and greet visitors and many will demonstrate. More artists will exhibit at host locations, which this year include Wannamaker’s General Store and Pamela’s Forget-me-Not Bed and Breakfast. Other artists such as Deborah Kramer and Jeff Kahn will host other artisans in their own homes.
For sustenance along the way, a selection of salads, wraps and sandwiches are available for sale at Wanamaker’s General Store, where artists will display wood turnings, photographers and children's photo book, and fused glass wares. And, at the main intersection in Lenhartsville is Deitsch Eck, a quaint restaurant offering Pennsylvania Dutch fair and other lunch items.
Beyond that is Eric Claypoole's home and studio where he offers traditional hex sign art. Claypoole himself painted many of the signs visible on barns throughout the valley and is located in Lenhartzville.
Celebrating 80 years in raptor conservation, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world's first refuge for birds of prey and an international center for raptor conservation. The 2,500-acre Sanctuary, 8-mile trail system and Visitor Center is open to the public year-round.
A trail fee or membership dues supports local to global conservation programs, including public education, professional training and scientific research programs.
For more information, visit the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary website.
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