Hand painted game boards preserve family traditions.
Barb Wagaman of Ridge Hollow Game Boards will demonstrate how she designs and creates antique reproduction and folk art wooden game boards at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 8th during Market Square Shows at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.
At her studio and workshop in Lancaster, PA, Wagaman hand paints and distresses game boards that are reminiscent of games loved by generations of families from traditional checkerboards to primitive and traditional Chinese checkerboards, themed Parcheesi boards such as Noah’s Ark, Frustration boards, and ring toss boards.
Chinese Checkers game boards by Ridge Hollow.
Growing up in an 1876 colonial farmhouse in Lebanon, Pennsylvania game boards were a large part of country living for Wagaman. “The foundation of our business is a love of game boards and the history surrounding them,” says Wagaman. “It’s a way to preserve a time when playing boards created a lifetime of family memories.”
Color choices of mustards, colonial reds and blues, and blacks all add to the charm of the boards. Combed distressing completes the antique and primitive appeal.
“Arts represented in the artisan gallery of our show tell of a unique time in the history of early America when hand-craftsmanship began. We learned to appreciate the time, the talent, the trade and the story of those items created by hand.” says Kathy Goodrich, president of Market Square Shows. “Our goal is to preserve these crafts and traditions, from game boards to baskets to pewterware and offer them in a wholesale forum to ensure the quality and tradition continue to live in the American marketplace.”
Market Square Shows is pleased to have Ridge Hollow Game Boards as demonstrating artists where buyers will have an opportunity to learn more about their techniques and engage in informal conversation about the artistic process. Other artist demonstrations will include Lux Aromatica, ASL Pewter, Susan Daul Folk Art, The Country Shop, The Little Emporium, Mud & Maker, and Lawrence Crouse Workshop.
Visit Market Square Shows from February 7 through 9, 2016 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. For more information visit www.marketsquareshows.com For more information about Ridge Hollow Game Boards visit www.ridgehollowgameboards.com