So much to cover at the 2024 Hyattsville Arts & Ales Festival! Fortunately, we had help. Thanks to all the teen and kid reporters and the artists they profiled. And to the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation for hosting the party! Find more photos here, and ale reviews here.
Sherill Anne Gross of Sagworks Design, by Zoe Colwell & Rosie Flick
“I’ve always been a weird kid,” said Sherill Anne Gross of Sagworks Design, who has made art for as long as she can remember. She couldn’t find jewelry that was right for her. So, she made her own. Coincidentally, the hardest thing about being an artist for Gross is not keeping everything she makes. The polymer clay texture of the jewelry is one of the most interesting parts. One necklace had three orange cat heads on it! A festival-goer passing the booth said, “so creative, so fun to look at!”
Alexis Mozier of Felted Florals, by Alyssa Lee
During the pandemic, friends of Alexis Mozier wanted plants, so Mozier made felted plants. Thus, Felted Florals was born. Mozier said the hardest part about being an artist is going to work while making art. Mozier’s least favorite part of being an artist and business owner is keeping up with inventory. But Mozier loves Arts & Ales! “It’s my favorite time of the year,” she said. One of the most interesting pieces of art was the felted flower crowns. “So cute,” remarked a customer named Ali.
Michelle Puhl-Price of Outta Our Minds, by Beatrice and Harriet Marx
Michelle Puhl-Price started being an artist as a small child, and has been an art teacher at Sandy Springs Friends School for 20 years. Puhl-Price said finding time is difficult as an artist, and sometimes an idea doesn’t work out, so you have to try again. Puhl-Price bases her puppets off her relatives and friends. “They have very colorful personalities,” she said.
Our reporters were struck by a delightfully angry funny green creature with large blue muff and matching nose topped with a magnificent army green mustache. He had beauteous orange lidded eyes made of golf balls with luxurious lashes.
“I want this puppet!” yelled a customer approximately 5 years old. A mother said “this is my first time showing my daughter a puppet and she loved it! Great fun firsts.”
Sharon Jeremiah of the Rose of Sharon Gift Collection, by Nico Duhagon
Sharon Jeremiah started making art when she was a little girl. It was a gift she found she had. Jeremiah works with water colors, prints, portraits, and oils. She said that one of the hardest parts about being an artist, though, is selling the work. One of the loveliest pieces in the booth is a pattern of green flowers and shapes. “A personal touch on a card is very special,” remarked a customer. “I like their sparkles.”
Abezash Demeke of Adeba Art, by Myriam Dezelski
Demeke started drawing when he was a kid. “I fell in love with art when I saw my older brother draw.” Demeke said. He is from Ethiopia, and has been living in the U.S. for five years.” As an artist in Ethiopia, it was hard to make a living,” he said. Some of the most interesting art pieces in Demeke’s booth were the black-and-white stamped prints with numbers and the alphabet from Ethiopia. A visitor to the booth recognized the images from her homeland in Ethiopia. Demeke said he was excited to be at Arts & Ales because it was his first time at an arts festival.
Sabrina St. Marie by Sadie Rush
St. Marie became an artist because she was bored during Covid. Now she says the biggest challenge of being an artist is wanting everyone to like your art. The ear cuffs in her booth are very unique. They have fun and cool charms. They’re beautiful. “Well made and clean” said booth browser Tona Angelo.
Diane Traylor of Madison Expressions, by Alec Lee
“I saw someone doing wire wrapping and it spoke to me,” said Diane Traylor, asked how she got started being an artist. She said her favorite part of being an artist is working with something naturally found in the earth. The hardest thing about being an artist for her is staying consistent and finding the time to dedicate. “Sometimes, you don’t have the energy,” she said. A piece of labradorite in the shape of a cloud, wrapped to be a necklace, caught our attention. Caroline Ruedig, who was browsing the booth, said, “I think it’s cool that the artist has such a wealth of knowledge about the materials they’re using, and uses multiple mediums.”
Tone Butta by Roger Marx
Tone Butta says he is a street artist and middle school counselor. He started making art in 2018. He grew up in New York city where there is a decent amount of graffiti. He himself does it on canvas. He also does custom street art. And makes customers custom action figures with stuff on them. He can even make Pikachu or Stitch.
Butta’s customers enjoy his art as it is creative, familiar and pretty. Butta’s favorite art piece at the table is called the Geo. It is pink and purple bubble letters with little pictures on the bubble letters.
He loves Artists and Craftsman stores. He said “I go there like every day.” He also thinks arts and ales is fun because it gets people together and lets people love art or ales.
Shawn Theron from the SOGH Truck, by Cora Lucki
“When I was a little kid I always drew and created,” said Shawn Theron. “Taking what’s in my head and creating something of it” can be hard, he said. “Arts & Ales is always a good time with the people in my community.
