How the craft is made: Crafters return to the Marion Art Center
One craftsman writes down information at the Arts in the Park on Saturday, July 11. Photos by Mari Huglin
Paintings and pictures filled many of the stalls. 
Woodcrafted birds filled one stall. 
Cassandra Weare of Falmouth wraps her handmade ceramics for a customer. 
Small loons were for sale. 
A woodworker speaks to customers. 
Live music accompanied shoppers. 
A chessboard was handmade by one of the crafters. 
People took a break in the shade next to Elizabeth Taber. 
Ceramics were popular. 
Bracelets and handmade necklaces adorned one table.
One craftsman writes down information at the Arts in the Park on Saturday, July 11. Photos by Mari Huglin
Paintings and pictures filled many of the stalls.
Woodcrafted birds filled one stall.
Cassandra Weare of Falmouth wraps her handmade ceramics for a customer.
Small loons were for sale.
A woodworker speaks to customers.
Live music accompanied shoppers.
A chessboard was handmade by one of the crafters.
People took a break in the shade next to Elizabeth Taber.
Ceramics were popular.
Bracelets and handmade necklaces adorned one table.
MARION — Over 40 vendors filled Bicentennial Park next door to the Marion Art Center for the annual Arts in the Park celebration that has been a tradition for around 20 years.
On Saturday, July 11 crafters shared and sold their artwork as visitors wandered, ate and listened to music. All kinds of crafts were on display including paintings, woodwork, fiber arts, quilting, jewelry and pottery.
Marion Art Center program director Heather Corrigan said this is one the Marion Art Center’s ways of giving back to the community, always hosting it the Saturday after the 4th of July.
“It showcases our artists but also it gives a chance for people to come together, and we have a food truck, lawn games for the kids, musicians and it's a really great afternoon,” Corrigan said.
The program director said she loves that the event is accessible and introduces residents to area artists who might not be Marion Art Center members or in official art shows yet.
Corrigan said she likes that everyone can come together, slow down for an afternoon and enjoy art and community. She also explained she loves to see the repeat vendors and how successful they are throughout the years.
“My favorite part of this event is seeing the repeat vendors that come back and seeing them come in and say how well they've done for the day,” Corrigan said.
Cassandra Weare of Falmouth has been running her own pottery business for six years. Her summers are busy attending craft fairs.
Weare likes craft fairs since she can meet her customers and explain how she makes items. She likes giving customers an idea of what they are buying, unlike buying online where they cannot feel the item or realize it is handmade.
“Getting to just connect with the customers and talk about the art is very important,” Ware said.
Weare makes a lot of functional pottery like berry washing bowls, olive oil bottles and oyster dishes. She said she is inspired by the ocean, salt marshes and natural beauty of the South Coast using lots of greens, blues and earthy tones through her work.
Not only is community built through her customer relationships, but Weare said she meets a lot of other artists and crafters attending shows like this.
“It’s usually the same core group of people that I see and everybody's super nice and everybody supports each other and it's great,” Weare said.
Felt crafter Sarah Stearns of Plymouth has been crafting for around two years. She makes felt landscape art out of wool fibers.
Even though she is new to craft fairs she has felt supported by the community and happy to work with the Marion Art Center.
Stearns said that being part of a craft fair with the Center’s name on it is huge for smaller artists and vendors, giving them more credibility and a larger customer base.
“I think overall my takeaway so far after the morning is that people have just been so encouraging and kind and just really encourage me to keep going,” Stearns said.
