Heritage Festival Shows Off Local Artisans

Visitors to Erie’s 1812 Heritage Festival held at Liberty Park on September 9 had a chance to watch artisans in action. The India Association gave customers traditional henna designs on their palms and arms, giving them a temporary tattoo that is commonplace in India, Pakistan, the Middle East, and Africa. Esther Sung Hong and five of her students demonstrated traditional Korean watercolor technique by painting bamboo, chrysanthemums, orchids, and the pine tree closest to their booth. Regina Jaworski showed visitors how to make simple Polish folk crafts including a bird ornament made of milkweed pods. The Chautauqua County Spinners and Weavers Guild completed tapestry, spun wool, and worked a table loom. Steve Gordon from the Faithkeepers School in Steamburg, NY had various Seneca and Iroquois hand carved traditional tools on display and turned several peach pits into pieces for a traditional game. ClaySpace threw over 20 vases, pots, and mugs and allowed kids to glaze a large vase. The Erie Art Museum and the Heritage Festival sponsors are grateful to all those artisans who graciously took the day to enliven the festival and enrich our community.

Contact Museum Folk Art Coordinator, Kelly Armor for more information.