STATE COLLEGE — Before the adult artists lined the sidewalks for the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, the future generation got its chance to shine.
Children and Youth Day kicked off the festival Wednesday, July 8, with young entrepreneurs lining South Allen Street, selling everything from handmade soaps and bath products to 3D-printed earrings and colorful bead creations. The annual event gives artists ages 8 to 18 an opportunity to showcase not only their creativity but also their entrepreneurial spirit.
For Eden Glynn, it was another chance to share a business that has quickly grown from a hobby into something much bigger.
“This is my second one,” she said of her return to Arts Fest.
Her booth, Eden’s Glam Garden, featured soaps, sugar scrubs, bath jellies, lotion bars, bookmarks and bag charms.
She has been making and selling her creations for about a year and said business has been “good” during this year’s festival.
A few booths away, Graham Allen was showing off dozens of lightweight, colorful 3D-printed earrings through his business, From Ear to Ear.
After purchasing a 3D printer several years ago, Allen noticed earrings were popular and decided to create his own.
“I’ve seen a lot of earrings, and I thought it might sell,” he said.
The idea appears to have paid off. Penn State-themed earrings have been among his biggest sellers.
“This will be my fifth year,” Allen said of participating in the festival.
Asked what he wants to do when he grows up, Allen smiled.
“Don’t really know.”
For first-time participant Bela Kreater, the festival marked the beginning of what she hopes is a long creative journey.
Her business, Bella’s Perler Design, features Perler bead creations along with 3D designs.
She said her interest began after attending a summer party where a friend introduced her to the colorful craft.
“I just felt so intrigued with them, so I just wanted to do it,” Kreiter said.
So far, her larger designs have attracted the most attention from customers.
Kreater already has an eye on the future.
“I want to be an interior designer,” she said.
While thousands of visitors come to the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts each year to admire professional artists, Children and Youth Day serves as a reminder that creativity often starts long before adulthood. From first-time exhibitors to young veterans returning for another year, the sidewalks were filled with more than artwork and handmade products. They were filled with confidence, imagination and the excitement that comes from seeing someone else appreciate something you created with your own hands.
