50TH ANNIVERSARY MAC SUMMER SHOW — 15 years of a wing nut in Muskoka

WELL EXPOSED. Don Pell credits the MAC show with helping his career grow. The exposure at one of the biggest outdoor art shows in the province has led to several commissions over the years.

THE MUSKOKAN — Don Pell’s work never fails to stand out at a show filled with outstanding work.
Pell’s creations, primarily ironwork, have been a highlight for many visitors to the Muskoka Arts & Crafts Summer Show for roughly 15 years now. Working under the company name, Wingnut Enterprizes, the artist uses a combination of hand-forged iron, blown glass, stone and a myriad of other metals to create both artistic sculptures and practical items.
Looking back on his many years at the show, Pell said it’s been an interesting ride.
“There was the year of the runaway car which was kind of exciting,” said Pell. “We’ve had tornadoes and all manner of things go through — that’s part of doing an outdoor show. It’s never perfect. There’s always something. You’ll have weather or like a runaway car or something like that.”
Regardless of the difficulties vendors have occasionally had to deal with, Pell still credits the show with being a big part of his own success. Following appearances at the show, the artist has received multiple commissions from major organizations around the region.
“It definitely helps get you exposed to a different group of people,” Pell said. “Every region has different groups of people, and by the artist doing shows in different places it can help their income drastically.”
A former president of Muskoka Arts & Crafts, Pell looks back on his time at the organization with a lot of pride. Calling the show the “grandfather” of outdoor shows, Pell says few arts and crafts events have had the longevity of the summer show.
The past hasn’t been all sunshine and big sales though. When asking longtime vendors about the difficulties of selling their goods at the Muskoka Arts & Crafts Summer Show, you always get the same response: the weather.
“If it’s too warm, especially in Muskoka, everyone will be down at the beach or dock. You want a nice summer weekend, but not a really hot summer weekend,” said Pell. “Personally, I prefer outdoor shows. It gives you more of a festival atmosphere. You’re not in a stuffy old arena or something like that.”
The Muskoka Arts & Crafts show also provides vendors with a few, seemingly minor, advantages over other notable shows in the province like the Toronto-based One of a Kind Show. The average booth size at the summer show tends to be quite a bit larger than your standard indoor show. That makes a big difference if what you’re selling is something like sculpture that requires space for a viewer to properly admire.
Some of Pell’s work is on the large side too.
To learn more about Pell and to see some of his work visit his website at wingnutsk.com or look for him this weekend at the Muskoka Arts and Crafts show.

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