Summer, Larger Than Life
With every season comes new energy, new temperatures, new produce, and new ideas. For us here at Stockton Market, that always means a new installation. A revamp, a space reimagined, a fresh facelift for us all, if you will (I will!).
For summer, we needed a fresh idea that would wake up our senses and inspire. That's where Jennifer Cole (also known as The Art Ho) came in.
A resident of Upper Black Eddy, Jen is a lifelong artist whose creative roots run deep. The seventh of eight children in a family of artists and musicians, she studied at Fleisher Art Memorial, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and Cheltenham Art Centre. Since 1990, she has painted scenery for film, television, and theater, joining United Scenic Artists Local 829 in 2003. Her work spans everything from faux stone, wood, and marble finishes to murals for films, restaurants, schools, and public spaces. She currently works as a set designer on The Gilded Age and has spent decades helping bring ambitious creative visions to life.
When Jen met with Stockton Market owner Dana Ashburn to discuss Dana's idea for larger-than-life produce, she immediately said yes.
Peas, cabbage, and red onion, sounds like a delicious salad waiting to happen…
Upon walking into the Market, you’ll see the whimsy of cherry tomatoes, blueberries, and larger than life strawberries!
Armed with a measuring tape and notebook, Jen got to work. She experimented with papier-mâché and chicken wire wrapped around balloons before ultimately landing on beach balls as the perfect foundation. With a few swipes of her brush, plenty of paint, twine, zip ties, a little magic, and the help of her daughter Violet - a recent graduate of Tyler School of Art and a talented artist in her own right - the pair created the dreamiest strawberries, blueberries, peas, and the cutest fuzzy-bottomed red onion we ever did see.
Once the produce was complete, it was time to bring the scene to life. We called on Nicole Lourie of The Bloemist and Meghan Hutchinson of Wildstem, who filled the space with cabbages, hay, and other nature inspired elements that helped tell the story of our new larger-than-life friends.
We haven't lost sight of the magic that comes from reinventing a space with the help of local artists. What some might see as an unnecessary expense (our accountants - sorry, David), we see as an investment in inspiration, creativity, and delight. These installations remind us that art belongs everywhere - even among the tomatoes, coffee, and groceries - and that a little wonder can transform an ordinary shopping trip into something memorable.
This summer, we're thinking big. Very big. And we're grateful to the artists who helped make it happen.