Shadyside Arts Festival features creative twist on animals, food, boxes

One artist paints endangered animals.

Another’s work showcases Pittsburgh through images of food.

And a third transforms vintage crates.

The trio will be part of the 23rd annual Shadyside … The Art Festival on Walnut, Aug. 24-25. The event features 150 local, regional and national artists and includes an array of media including paintings, sculptures, photography, ceramics, glass, wood, handmade jewelry, collage and mixed media.

Prices range from $10 to a few thousand.

Presented by Howard Alan Events, the festival represents original, hand-crafted artwork selected by an independent panel of expert judges from hundreds of applicants, according to a news release. Howard Alan Events, a Florida-based company, produces juried art and craft shows across the nation.

Animal advocate

Jarrod Edson of Squirrel Hill, a 20-year-old artist on the autism spectrum, made his debut during last year’s event. He has created a new series for the show featuring endangered animals.

“I care about those animals,” he says. “I don’t like animal abuse. They deserve respect. I am drawn to their beauty and how strong they are.”

His mother, Kuhoo Edson, says her son can relate to those animals that people see as helpless and think they can abuse, which is how some people see individuals with disabilities.

“His art has come so far,” his mother says. “The Shadyside Arts Festival is the best venue for him because they embrace him as an artist.”

The artist donates 30% of sales to Friendship Circle, Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team and the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh.

Before Jarrod Edson makes anything, he does research, he says. He began drawing with pen on paper but has since switched to digital painting because his autism causes muscle weakness. Using a stylus and a tablet with CorelDraw is easier. He uses abstract shapes and adds some kind of a twist to the piece, such as a shoe that has a fish mouth with a hook or a Darth Vader image from “Star Wars.”

“Our goal is to create some exposure for a local kid, for people to see his art,” said Kuhoo Edson. “We want him to be able to spread his wings with his art. We will see where it takes us.”

Crating

Kentucky mixed-media artist Justin Noelke lived in Pittsburgh at one time. He will bring his vintage crates, which he transforms into coolers. The process involves building a frame, creating a polyurethane interior and inserting a copper basin as well as foam insulation.

He begins with vintage crates, cigar boxes, brass and other upcycled materials to create one-of-a-kind containers for practical purposes.

He said he finds materials at antique malls or online. His custom designs are perfect for a birthday or a couple’s wedding or anniversary where he can carve a date or names or a message to commemorate the special event. Sometimes people commission him to design one from a crate made the year that person was born, because the crates often have a year marked on the wood.

“I really love the Shadyside arts festival because it is in a great location, and the crowds are excellent,” Noelke says. “There is a lot of history behind them. These old boxes were used at one time to ship beer and whiskey. I am taking them back to a similar function of holding drinks.”

Looks good enough to eat

Katie Koenig of Bethel Park was searching for a way to honor Pittsburgh through her art, but didn’t want to do it by focusing on bridges, rivers or the skyline. She wanted to find another way to showcase her city.

So she took some acrylic paints and created representations of Pittsburgh’s favorite foods. She uses a photograph for reference.

Some of her inspiration has come from Heinz ketchup and Primanti sandwiches.

“Food can tell a story of who we are and where we are from,” she says. “People connect through food, and food brings many good memories to mind.”

She says the Shadyside arts festival is well organized and well attended.

“People love to come to Shadyside to shop and dine,” she says. “Artists love meeting everyone who stops by. They appreciate art and we appreciate them.”