Local Artists Showcase Work This Weekend at Sugarloaf Festival

For local artisans like Barbie Levy, this weekend is as much a joyous reunion as it is a talent exhibition.

While the Sugarloaf Craft Festival in Timonium provides Levy a venue to show off the jewelry she has designed for about 20 years, it also allows her to reunite with the area craftsmen (and women) who have become her extended family over those years.

The Owings Mills resident appreciates the business created by attending the festival, but also cherishes the time she gets to spend viewing what others have to offer.

“That’s why I love what I do,” said Levy, whose company, Barbie Levy Jewelry Design, has attended the festival several times over the last 10 years. “I’m always impressed by the creativity and the talent of other artists. I love being a part of the craft world.”

“I may not typically spend a lot of time looking at the jewelry—it’s the other stuff that really excites me. I’m just very often impressed by new things that I haven’t seen before. It’s such a nice, craft family. To see my friends and be a part of the craft world, it’s like instant family. There’s a nice, comfortable feeling between the artists.”

Festival organizers are anticipating a crowd upward of 15,000 to check out the works of around 250 jury-select artists who will be displaying, demonstrating and selling their specific trades, ranging from pottery and sculptures to fine art and home accessories.

Olga Goldin of Reisterstown, also cherishes the time spent linking up with old friends who share her passion. Goldin’s Gold’n Ceramics business has been setting up at the festival since 2000.

Her excitement spreads to those passing by her exhibit, where she has traditional Jewish ceramics like mezuzahs and menorahs, as well as clocks and decorative plates, crafted with a variety of vibrant colors and distinct styles.

“It makes me happy,” Goldin said. “I like to see how people react to my pieces. If they buy my pieces they say their mood is better. It’s happy stuff.”

The Sugarloaf Festival itself is not without a bit of irony. The exhibits are showcased in the very same spot that herds of cows call home—albeit at other times of the year.

“It’s in the Cow Palace at the fairgrounds, so it’s not a fancy show,” Levy said. “It’s kind of funny to have fine, quality work at the Cow Palace. You have a sense of humor about that. But, it’s a very nice, down to earth show.”