An artist from the town of Porter is among the more than 100 artisans from across Indiana who will participate in the Indiana Artisan Marketplace, which is March 31 and April 1 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Lynn Retson will join artisans who make everything from fine chocolates, to specialty jewelry to stoneware pottery.
“My work will be drawings in graphite and black pastel,” Retson said.
“They have a photorealistic quality. Many viewers' first impression is that these works are black and white photos. All of the drawings feature the roadside landscape.”
Retson participated in the Indiana Artisan Marketplace last year and said the quality of the work was outstanding
“It's a strength of this show that you can find everything from $5 bookmarks to several thousand dollar pieces suitable for homes or offices,” Retson said.
“In addition, visitors get a chance to speak with the artists. For me, this is the high point of the show.”
The Indiana Artisan Marketplace is a chance to buy one-of-a-kind artwork and artisan food directly from the Hoosiers who make it, said Peg Neal, chair of the 2012 Marketplace and a potter from Indianapolis.
In order to participate in the Indiana Artisan Marketplace, artisans must be accepted into the Indiana Artisan program, which is a juried program that accepts only about 30 percent of those who apply.
Lorelei Weimer, executive director of Indiana Dunes Tourism, said she is excited to have an Indiana Dunes Country artist in the Indiana Artisan Marketplace.
“This event brings additional awareness to the value of the arts in attracting visitors to our state, region and county,” Weimer said.
Weimer encourages people who attend the event to also tour the sites along the Northern Indiana Art & Earth Trail. Indiana Dunes Tourism has worked with six other Northern Indiana counties and the Northern Indiana Tourism Development Commission to create the Art & Earth Trail to promote Northern Indiana’s unique artisans and agricultural attractions. People can visit www.artandearthtrail.com/ or call 877-862-1434 to learn about the Art & Earth Trail.
While the Art & Earth Trail can be visited year round, the Indiana Artisan Marketplace is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT March 31 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT on April 1. Admission is $10 (children 15 and under are free) and parking is $3. Visit http://indianaartisan.org/news_releases.php for more information.
The Indiana Artisan Marketplace will also feature artisans from Kentucky because of a trade agreement between the two states.
The Indiana Artisan program was launched by Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and was a joint venture between the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, and the Indiana Arts Commission. Now as a non-profit corporation, Indiana Artisan, Inc. continues the program's mission of developing a brand that gives meaning and recognition to Indiana-made goods.