Natural beauty surrounds an iconic barn in Tyler State Park off of Richboro Road in Northampton township. At any given time, visitors exploring the large-scale outdoor sculpture exhibit might find children creating works of art, flames reaching skyward from the chimney of the Manabigama Wood Fired Kiln or Plein Air painters set up for a day of creativity.
Tyler Park Center for the Arts draws hundreds of residents each week ranging in age from small children to vibrant retirees and everyone in between. Summertime fills the park with hikers and bikers, potters and art campers while fall promises new and exciting art workshops including fine art, jewelry, pysanky egg decorating, stained glass, fused glass, beautiful hand hooked rugs, pottery, basketry, felting, silk scarves and new in September, lampwork glass blowing with Tanner Sweeney of Deep Creek Glassworx.
Tanner and his wife started their glass business over 10 years ago. “Every time I work with glass, more and more, I just fall in love with it,” said Sweeny, who specializes in glass ornaments, wine glasses, pendants, sun catchers and more. “It’s so different from other materials like wood or metal. Instead of chipping away at materials, you build them up.”
His September 15 introductory three-hour workshops will cover basic manipulation of solid borosilicate glass to create clear glass icicles and basic-colored pendants. Community activities culminate with Crafts in the Meadow held the 3rd weekend in October each year for the past 14 years. This highly juried fine art and craft festival features over 100 artists representing all artistic mediums, exceptional live music, hands-on activities, local non-profits, artist demonstrations, great food and all in the gorgeous surroundings of Tyler State Park.
October 19 and 20 are the days to visit the highly anticipated event and bring the whole family. Half-price tickets and more information is available at TylerParkArts.org and on Facebook – Tyler Park Center for the Arts.