For More Information, Contact:
Bob Veilleux, 814-642-2295

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2008

Applications Being for New PA Wilds Artisan Trail

Applications are now being accepted for the new PA Wilds Artisan Trail. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 16, 2008.

Initially, the trail will consist of at least one retail facility in each of the 12 counties in the Pennsylvania Wilds including: 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. A Pennsylvania Wilds Artisan Trail Guide and a web space on the PAWilds.com web site will be used to market the artisan trail.

In order to ensure quality and authenticity to the region, artisans must be juried in order to participate in this initiative, and our first jury panel will meet in early June. A wide variety of artistic media is being sought including: fine arts, wood, fiber, clay, glass, mixed media, photography, metal, jewelry, and others.

Electronic versions of the application materials to be included in the jury process are available by contacting Karen Sewell in Port Allegany at 814-642-2295. Completed applications and images should be submitted by Friday, May 28, to Karen Sewell, PA Wilds Artisan Development Project, c/o Port Allegany Education Center, 8 Main Street, Port Allegany, PA 16743. Digital images (minimum 300 dpi) can be emailed to: karen@pottercountyedcouncil.org.

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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