Local artists and craftsmen displayed and sold their work in the annual Juried Art and Craft Show located in the Community Center and Youth Center this past weekend, December 4 and 5.
Artists across multiple disciplines gathered to show the Greenbelt community their skills and passion portrayed in their work. Vendors sold pieces from jewelry to paintings and even some edible artwork. Artists were happy to discuss their work with eager shoppers.
Tina Van Pelt of Profusions of Glass brought a large display of handmade glass pendants, each with its own story. She started selling glass at the Juried Art and Craft show 15 years ago. Van Pelt began making glass after she gave birth to her third child and wanted an activity to get her out of the house. After classes in bead making and infused glass making, Van Pelt was hooked and since 2017, when she left her job at the federal government, glass has been her life.
Van Pelt featured pendant flags, specifically LGBTQ flags and other pride flags. “My youngest child came out as trans recently, so I wanted to support him. I designed these trans pendants modeled after the trans flag and LGBTQ flag. I wanted to give everyone a chance to show their pride with my work,” said Van Pelt. Proceeds from sales go to the American Civil Liberties Union and to helping immigrants. Her art draws inspiration from nature and she loves using vibrant color. When people look at her art, she says she hopes they feel the joy of color and resonate with the message of the art. Although her art is political, she wants everyone to feel like they can wear her work. “I kind of feel like one side of the political spectrum has taken over the American flag. I wanted to make some flag art to say that this is everybody’s flag,” said Van Pelt. “So, I made these to give people a chance to enjoy our beautiful flag.”
Glass was not the only medium on display at this year’s show.
Martina Sestakova brought her collection of scarves to the show. She first learned about fabric making in college and eventually started making textiles. Sestakova emphasized the importance of the emotion that comes from her work. “The name of my company is the Czech word for joy, Radost. So, what I want you to see is joy and texture and ideas,” she said. Her work is inspired by what she called specific life situations. “I have scarves inspired by travel, being together with family, so the scarves are life inspired.” Sestakova also mentioned that her love of art was what helped her get through the Covid-19 pandemic. She said, “I find art really healing. It’s just so fun to sit down and create something that hasn’t existed before.”
Multiple jewelry makers showed off their beautiful designs. One of these vendors was Nancy DeMulder, who has been making jewelry since 1990. She displayed several different pieces showcasing a wide variety of techniques and skills, while also teaching shoppers about what went into each earring and necklace. DeMulder made jewelry using fossils from around the area that she had found and repurposed into beautiful pieces.
Art at the fair went beyond the visual medium, showcasing vendors of edible art. Devyn Kiszewski was selling her brand of Argentinian spice blends. Along with her husband, a chef from Argentina, the two own Nativo and say their spices are art. “I think any culinary experience can be art,” said Kiszewski. “The action of crafting these flavor profiles is certainly considered art and I’m really proud that we’re able to take the creativity and knowledge we have to create these combinations so that other people can create magic in their own kitchen.”
Shoppers loved the wide variety of beautifully crafted pieces of art and handmade wares and especially enjoyed the community coming together in person after shopping virtually last year due to the pandemic. This year’s show featured over 70 artisans using a hybrid model where merchandise was available both online and in person. “Seeing local artists showing off their work and the excitement around the community and its art was truly beautiful. I am glad that I got to experience and shop at this great fair and show my support to my neighbors,” said Chloe Childs, a shopper from College Park.
Matt Leviss is a journalism student at University of Maryland reporting for the News Review..