Mahyaldah Wayson
Staff Writer
Art, live music, vendors and conversation filled the Claremont Packing House Saturday evening as local artists and businesses welcomed over 100 community members to the monthly Claremont Village Art Walk.
This month’s event titled “Pilgrims and Panthers” featured the arts and crafts by residents of Pilgrim Place retirement community and students from El Roble Intermediate School.
The junior high school students were able to showcase drawings, paintings, graphic designs and other projects from their art classes while residents of Pilgrim Place showed displays of hand crafted items.
Community members browsed, and some bought paintings, weavings, woodworks and more.
The displays also included colorful stained glass and pottery.
One of the displays was from Gonzo Garble Woodworks. They had handmade wooden wine caddies that were carefully crafted and had a natural wood look. The pieces showed detail and effort that went into making each one by hand.
The event offered more than an opportunity to sell products.
“I feel like it just attracts a lot of people who want to feel nostalgic,” said Brianna Kristin, a vendor at the art walk.
Kristin works at Replay Vintage, a store in the Packing House.
“It’s nice to see a lot of people bring their families out,” Kristin said, adding that she sold a lot of stuff.
Luis Mendiola, a program volunteer at Pilgrim Place, also attended.
“It’s nice seeing a lot of people talk about the festival and reminisce about their childhood as well,” Mendiola said. “A lot of people talk about the art.”
The event brought together a mix of age groups with enough variety of arts and crafts to appeal to all.
“I think it’s really important to get to know the larger community that surrounds your college community,” said Janet Cromwell, a retired pastor at United Methodist.
“It’s very multigenerational family friendly event, from babies to seniors all being here, so I think intermingling with people of all ages, different backgrounds, interests and lifestyles is important.”
Mahyaldah Wayson can be reached at mahyaldah.wayson@laverne.edu.
Mahyaldah Wayson is a sophomore communications major with a concentration in public relations, and a staff writer for the Campus Times.
