Those visiting several locations in the county this weekend have the chance to take in the artistic scene and familiarize themselves with more of what the county has to offer.
“It’s kind of like a kick starter to get out of the house,” Stephanie Premich, co-owner of Mud & Maker, Pottsville, said Monday about the Spring Thaw Arts & Culture Tour.
Mud & Maker is one of nine stops on the tour held this weekend. Some of the events will be held at different dates other than this weekend but that does not make them less important, Premich said. This is the third year for the tour sponsored by Celebrate Schuylkill and the Schuylkill County Visitor’s Bureau.
Locations include The Walk In Art Center, 220 Parkway, Schuylkill Haven; Mud & Maker, 6 S. Centre St.; The Arts Barn, 3 Berry Road, Schuylkill Haven; Tamaqua Community Art Center and The Seed House, 125 Pine St., Tamaqua; Hamburg Field House; The Art of the Brew Craft Beer Festival, rear of 127 S. Fourth St., Hamburg; The Art & Craft Gallery of Hamburg, 335 S. State St. Hamburg; Stonehedge Co-Op, 51 Dairy Road, Tamaqua; and The Strawberry Playhouse, 60 Church St. Tuscarora. The Gabriel Youth Orchestra will hold its Spring Concert at 3 p.m. May 1 at D.H.H. Lengel Middle School, Pottsville.
The tour is free but some optional events have a cost.
Premich said last year about 1,000 people attended the celebration of spring. At Mud & Maker, visitors can paint their own pottery, drink wine and browse and shop in the store. Artisan chocolates will also be for sale. The cost for painting pottery starts at $5. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday
Tracy Perry, a volunteer and board member of the Stonehedge Gardens nonprofit, said there are lots of different activities planned this weekend. Friday, the shop is open as is the garden. Saturday, mini sessions for holistic healing are available. A free paint a pot, plant a seed session in which visitors can paint a pot and plant a seed in it to take home will be held. A bonsai artist will talk about caring for bonsai trees at 3 p.m. Saturday. Sunday will feature a 3 p.m. drum and dance celebration. Mark Seaman, drummer, will do a presentation. Kate Stufflet will dance. Perry said work from 20 artists will also be represented in the shop during the event. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
At The Walk In Art Center, visitors are invited to meet the artists and look at art from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Children’s activities are also available. Lisa Robinson, the center’s executive director, said 30 vendors will be in the main gallery.
Those stopping by The Arts Barn can see Foxy Lady, a horse, showcase her talent for painting, see artists and their art and enjoy free wine and refreshments. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Those visiting Tamaqua Community Art Center and The Seed House can tour the facility and watch artists while they work their creative magic. There is also wine tasting available. The free open house is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Another event, “1st Saturday,” will be held from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., featuring live entertainment and dinner. A cost is involved. Call 570-668-1192 for more details.
If beer is more your thing, The Art of the Brew Craft Beer Festival will feature beer from more than 30 different breweries. Hours are 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. There is a cost involved. Visit www.hamburgpa.org for more information or call 610-562-3106.
By stopping by The Art & Craft Gallery of Hamburg, shoppers will see work from more than 30 different artists during the weekend. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The play “The Importance of Being Earnest” will be performed at the Strawberry Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. April 8, 9, 15 and 16 and 2 p.m. April 10 and 17. Cost for tickets are $12 for adults, students and senior citizens are $10 and children 10 or under are $5.