The stars of Art Star
The women behind Philadelphia’s Art Star Craft Bazaar
By Christy Mannering
Published: June 12th, 2007 | 10:45pm
Megan Brewster and Erin Waxman are the lovely ladies who for the 4th consecutive year have held the Art Star Craft Bazaar, named after their art gallery and boutique in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia.
This year's bazaar ran from 11 a.m. on June 2nd until 5 p.m. on June 3rd. Brewster tells us this year's turn out was the best ever; in terms of both attendees and vendors. In fact, after the second year, Brewster and Waxman had to start hand-picking who would set up at their bazaar because they were receiving hundreds of interested parties and didn't have enough space to accommodate them all. This sifting through of applications assures visitors they will only be seeing the best of the best.
The Art Star gallery's "main attraction" is currently Stella Im Hultberg, and she held onto that title at the bazaar. From New York, Hultberg has an edgy and sometimes solemn feel in her artwork. She had her debut at Art Star mid-May and sold out of her full-size original pieces within hours of the opening. What was left of her illustrations, themed "Bruised, Broken, Unfaded," were selling left and right. Her exhibit at the gallery will end on June 17th.
In addition to Hultberg, some of the other eye-catching artists included Lauren Ingalls with her handmade lanterns and Jessica's artsy bags from In Hope. Jessica is from just outside of Philadelphia; she says there is a bit of love in everything she makes. And there is no longer a doubt where bad robots go when they die. Jessica's "Bad Robot" bag shows us exactly where the devilish robot will be toasting in its afterlife. From within city limits, Ingalls is a Philadelphia native. She has been sculpting for ten years. The intricate shapes dug out in her lanterns reflect beautiful patterns in their surrounding environment when lit.
There was more than just fantastic artwork and crafty projects at the Art Star Craft Bazaar. Local shops set up demos outside the gallery to show interested parties how to do things such as silk screening, wheel throwing, glass bead making, and many other interactive projects. Even children had a blast because the kid-friendly bazaar had an interactive printing demo using recycled foam and fabric paint.
Philadelphia Magazine says the Art Star Gallery & Boutique is "the city's first cutting-edge craft shop." As long as they continue to host a successful craft bazaar, I am sure they will continue to be cutting edge.
Issue #35
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