Artisan Development Project

Become A Juried Artisan: Local artists from all different disciplines are encouraged to apply to become a juried artisan. In this section you’ll learn about the benefits to juried status, how and where to submit applications and more.

Become a Trail Partner: Retail shops, galleries, lodges and other establishments interested in joining the PA Wilds Artisan Trail will find the application here.

PA Wilds Artisan Display: That’s right, we’ve got a stunning 10-piece “Pennsylvania Wilds Artisan Initiative” display (pictured below) that can be used in whole or in part at shows, festivals and the like. Click here to learn more about how to secure the display for your next event.

Funding and Assistance: Find out what grants, loans and technical assistance programs are available to small businesses in your county for start-ups, expansions and other business challenges.

Resources for Artisans: Directory of Juried Artisans, Directory of Trail Partners, local media contacts, sample press releases and other tools artisans and galleries might find useful.

Have an arts-related event you'd like to post to the regional arts calendar? Email it to pawildsreview@windstream.net. To view calendar events or see when the display is available click on the icon above!

Local artists in all artistic disciplines and mediums, and retail outlets interested in carrying authentic, locally-made items of high quality, are encouraged to participate in the Pennsylvania Wilds Artisan Development Project.

The artisan project was launched in 2006 to help increase the visibility and profitability of artisans across the region. Modeled after similar efforts across the country, the project has several components, including online and print marketing, product branding, networking, and professional development.

The artisan project is run entirely by volunteers. The team’s major accomplishments to date include:

Jurying more than 100 artisans from various disciplines into the Artisan Initiative and forging a relationship with more than two dozen retail trail partners for the Artisan Trail.

Creating “Made in the Pennsylvania Wilds” hangtags and distributing these to juried artisans to place on the items they sell in stores and at shows;

Creating a new Pennsylvania Wilds Artisan Initiative website to promote the Artisan Trail, trail partners and juried artisans. This site, coming in Fall 2010, is a great new tool. Among other things, it gives entrepreneurs, business owners, architects or anyone else interested in incorporating or commissioning artwork for their projects a place to go to browse what the Pennsylvania Wilds has to offer.

Creating, publishing and distributing 50,000 copies of a new, free Pennsylvania Wilds Artisan Trail Guide to promote the galleries and shops along the trail to visitors and residents;

The artisan workgroup has also helped organize numerous free or low-cost business and professional development workshops for artisans around the region.

The team has also worked to secure grant funding to support these efforts.

And secured a new, professional display (pictured right) for use at festivals, shows and the like.

More details on how to join the Artisan Development Initiative are listed at right. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions!