Brandywine Festival of the Arts to draw over 15,000 folks with anime vibes, holiday gifts
Forget Halloween, it's going to look a lot like Christmas at Brandywine Park this weekend.
With over 250 artists selling all sorts of unique artwork and wares, you'll have a chance to shop for nice holiday gifts at the Brandywine Festival of the Arts in Wilmington on Saturday and Sunday.
From posh paintings and illustrations to clothing, jewelry and whimsical woodwork crafts, the offerings at the festival span a wide range of styles and mediums.
The festival, which draws over 15,000 people yearly, also includes activities for kids, food vendors and more fun.
This year’s featured artist is Edwin Lester, a self-taught painter born in Philly who injects realism into his works. He’s highlighted themes including the Bible and music in his pieces.
Anime inspires Newark artist
Pollyy Clunes of Newark is a returning Brandywine artist who creates cute illustrations inspired by vintage manga (or Japanese comic books).
Clunes said this year she's pumped to sell prints from her original series titled "And Time Passes." The series features characters in long, flowy white dresses over dark backdrops. She'll also have a calendar for sale from the series.
Rob Schlecker, event coordinator for the Brandywine Festival, is glad to have Clunes back for a second year.
The 28-year-old's art style is reminiscent of anime, he said, and attractive to people under 40, a demographic of festivalgoers and artists that the event has been trying to grow for a while.
It's important to have a mix of older and younger artists (and customers) to ensure the festival has a steady clientele in the future, the coordinator added.
"In the last few years, we've really made an effort to draw a younger crowd, a more diverse crowd ethnically/racially," said Schlecker, son of festival producer Barry Schlecker.
Brandywine Festival is getting younger
This year about 30% of participating artists are under age 40, compared to about 20% last year, the younger Schlecker said.
Last year was Clunes' first time having a table at any festival and taught her a valuable lesson about preparation.
"You want [your booth] to look a certain way. You have to be there early and leave late," Clunes explained.
"The festival was really good for a beginner like myself in terms of selling my art. And all the other guys are so friendly. I really enjoyed it."
Happy artists at festivals are probably may be more willing to cut deals with customers who are trying to do early Christmas shopping — just a little FYI.
Brandywine Park (1001 N. Park Drive, Wilmington) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 10. Admission is $5 per day. Visit brandywinearts.com.
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If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Brandywine Festival of the Arts is the spot for early holiday gifts
