PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK IMAGES

For those looking to brighten up their living space with original art, the annual Shadyside … The Other Art Festival on Walnut Street with Craft Marketplace is the place to be April 12-13.

Artists and craft artisans will take over Bellefont at Walnut Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Now in its fourth year, the free event will showcase fine jewelry, artwork from across different mediums, hand-crafted apparel and decor, plus a seasonal green market.

“Our goal is to bring an amazing show that people talk about,” says Elaine Laurent, director for Howard Alan Events, which is producing the show.

Florida-based HAE produces 45 different art and craft shows throughout the country, including Shadyside … The Art Festival on Walnut Street; now in its 28th year, the popular event, which is a companion to the “Other” spring show, takes place in August.

“It’s very successful because the Shadyside area in Pittsburgh absolutely loves the show,” Laurent said.

WOODEN COASTERS CREATED BY MICHAEL GREENSTEIN. PHOTO COURTESY HAE

The Other Art Festival’s original, hand-crafted artwork was selected by an independent panel of expert judges, who examined videos of the artwork being created, raw materials and photo identification, according to a news release. This process helps to ensure that a wide range of mediums and prices are present at the show.

“We want to make sure that we give you what we promise,” Laurent says. “It’s just making sure we bring the best of the best to the areas.”

Each of the show’s booths will resemble a small art gallery, and all artists and crafters will be on site to discuss the techniques and inspiration behind their work.

“If you walk into a gallery right now, you would never meet the artist you’re buying the piece from … The galleries are a great resource,” Laurent says. “They’re great for different types of art, maybe for artists who don’t do street shows, but for a lot of people they want to take home that moment they had with the artist.”

WOODEN PHONE THRONES BY MICHAEL GREENSTEIN. PHOTO COURTESY HAE

Among the first-time exhibitors is Pittsburgh-based Michael Greenstein, who creates wood art using birchwood that he laser cuts and then hand assembles. Practical as it is beautiful, his work includes ornate trivets, coasters and the original “phone thrones.”

COLLAGE ART BY EMILY KRILL. PHOTO COURTESY HAE

Also exhibiting is local mixed-media artist Emily Krill, who is known for transforming history into art. Her pieces are created by painting antique paper with ink and then cutting and pasting the pieces into large-scale collages. The papers date from the 1800s through the 1900s and include ornately handwritten ledgers, documents and blueprints.

Attendees will also be able to view work from Pittsburgh acrylic artist Melissa Bernstein, who created “Sunflower Study” using bright, bold colors on a rich blue background, allowing each petal and layers brushstroke to shine.

ART BY MELISSA BERNSTEIN. PHOTO COURTESY HAE

In the Craft Marketplace, attendees will be able to browse hand-made soaps, clothing and home decor. Laurent also feels that interactive art shows give people a reason to get out and be social.

“People are stuck on their phones, they’re stuck on social media to a point where I’ve watched people sitting down and having dinner and not one person is talking because they’re on their phones,” she says. “This is a way for them to actually get out and to chat with each other, chat with the artist, meet people, have fun, go have lunch, do stuff together. We kind of need that right now.”