Bucks County has long been a magnet for artists of many disciplines. Sculptors, painters, writers, actors, lyricists, tile-makers, woodworkers – the list goes on - have all found their creativity sparked in this lovely piece of Pennsylvania. The Elephant’s Eye Studio Tour spotlights several of the county’s finest visual artists over two weekends in May.
Started in 2008, it is the brainchild of Doylestown potter/sculptor Lisa Naples who had a light bulb go on after her trip as a visiting artist to the highly successful “16 Hands Tour” in Floyd, Virginia. Then, as an exhibitor at The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, she had a poster in the booth announcing her annual open studio and lost track of the number of people from Washington and New York who asked if it was part of a tour. Given the high population of the region it all seemed to indicate there would be plenty of public interest in this type of event. The crowds that materialized last spring, even in the pouring rain, proved her right.
Philadelphia Sculptors member Ken Vavrek was one of the nine participating artists. His light-filled Hilltown studio allowed visitors a close-up look at his large and beautifully mesmerizing ceramic wall pieces. They could also get a peek at the kiln he designed and built specifically for the bigger work.
Near Lake Nockamixon, Wendy and David Ellsworth’s heavily forested property is home to their separate disciplines and studios. Thoughtfulness and elegant craftsmanship were evident in David’s wood turned vessels, on view in his workspace and second floor gallery. For those whose heart skips a beat over machinery, his wood turning tools are to be envied. A few steps away is Wendy’s studio. She considers herself to be a color artist and her bead pieces are intimate in size and complexity. She will also happily give you a geology lesson on the singular type of rocks that populate this part of Bucks.
Close in proximity, but on the other side of the scale spectrum, is Steve Tobin’s studio in Quakertown. It’s hard to miss these factory-sized grounds from the street; his root and tree inspired sculptures rise into view from a distance. And once inside the enormous space it’s one eye-popping piece after another. His sizable and intricate cast pieces give one much to stare at and ponder.
Article by Holly Smith
Philadelphia Sculptor www.philasculptors.org
