Meet Makers, Musicians, and Taste Hard Cider while Touring the Village
Village Handcraft, a one-year-old shop at 52 Water St. in Wiscasset Village, will be featuring artist Emily Bell-Hoerth, who creates with dried flowers, during the final Wiscasset Art Walk of the season on Thursday, September 29, 5-8pm.
Shop owner Eric McIntyre describes Village Handcraft as “both a workshop and a store – all in one. Goods that are sold there are made in that room. You can see the tools that made the items and learn about the process from the maker.” McIntyre, the maker, carves and crafts “useful, beautiful items with hand tools” – like graceful brooms and sculptural wooden utensils – in his shop to bring pleasure to common daily tasks. Fresh shavings in the corners of the workshop are evidence of the creative effort underway.
To complement his work, McIntyre has invited fellow Wiscasset artist Bell-Hoerth to display her work during Wiscasset Art Walk including dried flower pieces, art prints, and cards. Bell-Hoerth will also be doing a wreath-making demonstration during the evening.
McIntyre sees a strong connection between the two creative makers. “Even though our work is different, we are both trying to facilitate a connection with the land,” he explains. “The things Emily paints are natural scenes, and her flower works are very land-connected. And I’m connected to the earth with materials that are collected from the area and tied to the land.”
Both creatives also search for new materials and processes. For Bell-Hoerth, experimenting with natural dyes and working with different flowers, while McIntyre expands his repertoire with new tools, materials, and techniques.
During Wiscasset Art Walk, Village Handcraft will also be hosting Tin Top Cider Co. of Alna, which will be offering a tasting of various hard ciders.
The Wiscasset Art Walk evenings have been “wonderful,” McIntyre said. He’s enjoyed talking with local visitors and others coming from further away.
