For More Information, Contact:
Jennifer L. Swain, 570-265-7455

For Immediate Release
April 16, 2009

Applications Being Accepted for Pennsylvania Wilds Artisan Trail

Applications are now being accepted for artisans to become juried for inclusion in the PA Wilds Artisan Trail. The deadline for this round of applications is Friday, May 1, 2009.

There are currently 27 regional galleries and stores designated as stops along the trail throughout the 12 county Pennsylvania Wilds region which includes: Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga, and Warren. Local artisans will be connected with these retail facilities, in an effort to provide the artisans with improved retail opportunities throughout the entire region. Artisans who are juried into this project will be highlighted as a Pennsylvania Wilds Artisan by a specially designed hang tag, and being placed in a designated Pennsylvania Wilds section of each retail facility. 25,000 Pennsylvania Wilds Artisan Trail Guides are hot off the presses and being distributed through the Pennsylvania Wilds Marketing Corporation, local Tourism Promotion Agencies, and Trail Partners.

In order to ensure quality and authenticity to the region, artisans must be juried in order to participate in this initiative. The next jury panel will meet in May 2009. A wide variety of artistic media is being sought including: fine arts, wood, fiber, clay, glass, mixed media, photography, metal, jewelry, and others. So far, over 85 artisans have been accepted into the program.

Applications will be accepted through an on-line form which can be found in the artisan section at www.pawilds.com. On the artisan page, follow the link in the “Become a PA Wilds Juried Artisan” section. In addition to the completed form, we ask that you submit 8 – 10 digital images of your work with descriptions (minimum 300 dpi) via email to: pawildsreview@windstream.net.

The PA Wilds Artisan Trail is being sponsored by the Pennsylvania Wilds Marketing Corporation, Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team, PA Route 6 Heritage Corporation & Artisan Trail, Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania, regional Pennsylvania Partner in the Arts partners, and many other regional agencies, and artisans. Financial and technical support for this project are being provided by Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Appalachian Regional Commission, Penn State Cooperative Extension, and the Potter County Education Council.

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