x
  1. Home
  2.  Entertainment

Locals get crafty

| 06 May 2015 | 12:19
    Photography Fellow Kevin Bond sits with his antique speed graphic 4x5 camera to the other one near the door.
    Photography Fellow Kevin Bond sits with his antique speed graphic 4x5 camera to the other one near the door.
    Photos by Anya Tikka NPS' volunteer Jennifer Kavanaugh makes 'wildflowers' with young visitors.
    Photos by Anya Tikka NPS' volunteer Jennifer Kavanaugh makes 'wildflowers' with young visitors.
    Noah Quinn, Fellow of Fine Metals demonstrates fine metal working.
    Noah Quinn, Fellow of Fine Metals demonstrates fine metal working.
    Fiber Artist Fellow Joanna Hickman 'wet felting' or making felt.
    Fiber Artist Fellow Joanna Hickman 'wet felting' or making felt.
    One of Yaros' finished works of art.
    One of Yaros' finished works of art.
    Stained glass art by Sasha Zhitneva. She'll teach a class in the summer.
    Stained glass art by Sasha Zhitneva. She'll teach a class in the summer.
    Joan Adams from Sussex County talks with Fellow Ray Yaros about his art. He's painting over photos of wildflowers.
    Joan Adams from Sussex County talks with Fellow Ray Yaros about his art. He's painting over photos of wildflowers.
    Patty Crof demonstrates weaving to Patrick Newman, 11 of Dingman Township.
    Patty Crof demonstrates weaving to Patrick Newman, 11 of Dingman Township.

LAYTON, NJ — Peter’s Valley School of Craft held an Open Day on Sunday, May 3 inspiring locals to get crafty.

This year there was an extra element of celebration since it coincides with the National Park Services’ 50th Anniversary. Peter's Valley shares park property with the NPS where they offer immersion workshops for locals to stay five days a week.

Crafty kidsAn additional activity tent was added this year for the NPS celebratory year with hands-on demos for kids.

Patrick Newman, 11, from Dingman Township became so interested in weaving after seeing a demonstration by NPS volunteer Patty Crof, he said he was going to do it at home.

“Usually, I don’t do anything like that,” Patrick said. “It’s great to do something like that, I enjoyed it.”

Kids also made wildflowers with another NPS volunteer, Jennifer Kavanaugh. Various booths and workshops were also on site.

Fun for all agesIt wasn’t only kids who enjoyed the outdoor event. Education Director Jennifer Apgar said on average the annual event attracts up to 1,200 people during the course of the year.

“This year, we are lucky with the weather,” continued Lindsay K. Gates, Events Coordinator. “This is the only day when we open everything to visitors, it’s been going on for 15 years.”

She explained people come not only from the nearby Tri-State area, but from all over the country, and also from abroad.

Music was provided on the field with several bands including Pike County bands Olivia Zinn and Obi Kaye, and Joe McKay.

A shuttle bus went around taking people to the craft studios through the woods, where fellows demonstrated fiber weaving, fine metal and wood working, fiber surface design, flame working with glass beads and photography.

“We’re just happy to be able to offer this event to people," Gates said. "As a way to explain who we are, what we do, and kind of give back to the community.”