For More Information, Contact:
NTCA Office, 570-265-7455

For Immediate Release
August 21, 2009

Show to feature Arts That Support Our Hunting and Fishing Heritage

Opening with a public reception on Friday September 4, 2009 from 5:30 to 8 PM, the annual exhibit of the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance, "From Heart to Hand," will be at the Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center, 134 Main St., Wellsboro, PA 16901. The show runs from Sept. 4 until Sunday Sept. 27 - open daily from 2 – 5 PM.

This year NTCA has created the show around the theme of “Folk and Traditional Arts that Support Our Hunting and Fishing Heritage.” The show features regional artists working in taxidermy, decoy carving, fly tying and other art forms related to the pursuit of fish and game in our waters and woodlands. Most of the artists are avid sportsmen themselves. Along with the “big” deer hunting and fishing seasons, we also celebrate archery, muzzle loader and flintlock seasons; spring and fall turkey seasons; small game season and fishing in all its’ glory.

Among the artists are Julio “Jr. Wingbone” of Troy who will have a display of his beautiful and varied turkey calls, some made from turkey wing bones. Photographer and turkey call maker Cody Short of Milton will have a display of his slate and box calls which are a bit more hi-tech but still individually crafted. Both Santiago and Short are active with the PA Chapter (or their regional chapters) of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Glass artist Ed Hammond will show hand blown fishing lures based on actual antique lures. Creels and pack baskets hand crafted by willow basket maker Patty Dillman of Tioga County will be on display. Patty makes functional baskets from willow that she grows herself. Among them are pack baskets (her husband traps) and creels for the numerous fishermen in her family.

Hunting knives, including one with a coyote jaw handle, by master bladesmith J. Neilson of Wyalusing and flintlock rifles and other items by blacksmith and gunmaker Doug Firestone of Germania will be exhibited. Other works include a number of ducks, crows and other birds by decoy carver Ross Shourds of Mainesburg; an exhibit of master fly tying by Dan Kwasnoski as well as flies on exhibit and for sale from Bob Childs at Big Meadows Fly Shop in Ansonia and a collection of Nancy Perkins wildlife art prints and cards.

To add to the hunting camp motif, the work of chainsaw carver Kraig Brady of Jersey Shore will greet you when you come in. Several mounts prepared by local taxidermists and loaned by area sportsman will be on display along with a few antique hunting and fishing items. We wish to celebrate the woods and streams that provide recreation and a respite from the modern world for many residents. Hunting and fishing traditions tie us to family, community and our environment. Where else in America still closes schools for the advent of deer hunting season?

The Northern Tier Cultural Alliance (NTCA) was formed in 1995 by volunteers who had been engaged in a cultural inventory of the area as part of a 1992 Pennsylvania Heritage Commission project. Even as representatives of local cultural and heritage organizations themselves, they had been overwhelmed with the wonderful, largely unsung artistry and heritage of the region. They shaped a mission of “educating the public about cultural traditions, history and art of the Pennsylvania Northern Tier and to assist tradition bearers and traditional artists in the preservation of their work.“ This special show continues to further that mission.

NTCA now serves as one of five Regional Folk Arts Support Centers after the Institute for Cultural Partnerships and the PA Council on the Arts partnered to "develop a statewide Folk Arts Infrastructure Initiative that seeks to strengthen awareness and understanding, as well as participation in, traditional arts across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."

For additional information on the "From Heart to Hand" exhibit contact the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance at 570-265-7455 or visit www.ntculturalalliance.org. Support for the "From Heart to Hand" show is provided by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Institute for Cultural Partnerships and NTCA donor members.

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