Halloween Hullabaloo
Creepy crafts are taking over O’Bryonville’s indigenous gallery during its Halloween Hullabaloo, going on through Nov. 2.
“This is our second annual exhibit, and it features the Halloween-inspired work of 30 artists. We have an interesting range of pieces, sculpture and folk art paper mache, blown glass, and ceramics. They all have somewhat of a spooky or Halloween character to them,” indigenous Owner Diane Budd says.
Local and regional artists have scared up some of their most creative Halloween-themed work for this year’s event. The artists, from across Ohio and outside the state, have work on display and for sale that can fit every budget, Budd says.
“Decorating for Halloween has kind of gone above and beyond paper skeletons in the window. We had a number of artists create something specifically for the show. Once we made the call out to our base of artists, we got lots of excitement about it,” Budd says.
Artist Micha Robertson, of North Fairmount, is one of the gallery’s regular exhibitors. Robertson’s seasonal, ornamental CroKitty Cats are decidedly more frightening during Halloween. The kitties are Styrofoam-based balls covered in paper mache and hand painted and decorated. The can be hung on holiday trees or displayed.
The Halloween kitties have names like “Zombie Kitten,” and “Purrgatory.” She also makes Halloween-themed catnip toys.
“I started doing these around 2004, and they were a lot rougher before I made my own presses to customize their feature,” says Robertson, who owns four real-life kitties.
Monica Rosselot, of Batavia, has a folk art mache line on display, including masquerading dolls and pumpkins.
“Most of it has a vintage flair to it,” Rosselot says.”Last year during the Halloween show was my first time at indigenous. And [Diane] welcomed me to bring in other stuff from my line.”
Some of the work also is themed around the Mexican Day of the Dead, which is observed in remembrance of loved ones.
Besides the artwork, indigenous also held a pumpkin carving contest open to artists and amateurs alike. There also was an artists’ reception on Oct. 16 recognizing the hands behind the ghostly work.
Indigenous thrives on local artists and their creativity. The gallery will celebrate its second anniversary in December in the heart of the funky O’Bryonville Business District. The gallery features a variety of fine crafts, including art glass, ceramics, pottery, tiles, fiber, sculpture, jewelry, prints and more.
Editor’s note: Check out more cool shops in O’Bryonville in last week’s fashion article.
PHOTO CREDITS
Photo: Neysa Ruhl Photography
Location: The McAlpin
Models (left to right): Monica Rosselot and Micha Robertson
Makeup Artistry: Trina Paul
