SMETHPORT, PA – Pennsylvania Wilds-based artist Julie Mader has partnered with the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship to release new art kits called Paint the PA Wilds Watercolor Kits. The kits are now available for purchase on the PA Wilds Marketplace at ShopThePAWilds.com/JulieMader.

“I feel like I have always drawn and it’s what I’ve always wanted to do,” says Julie Mader. Mader has not only been making art since childhood but has also been a teaching artist in the PA Wilds region since 2009. 

“I am very passionate about sharing the joy that goes hand-in-hand with the creative process. During COVID, I had to rethink how I was conducting my art residency. My solution was to prepare the materials for each lesson at home, record a video of project steps, and drop off supplies weekly at the host site. It worked really well, and I received feedback that other folks wanted to be creating art as well.” 

This evolution of how she offered her art lesson led to the design of the watercolor kits. As for the inspiration for the images in the kits?

“Ultimately, you draw what you know, and the PA Wilds region is where I live. I found a picture of the PA Grand Canyon and realized I could use the local scenery,” says Mader. “I like where I live, and I’m proud to live here. I want to share the beauty of my home with others through art.”

There are currently four different kits available, each with two designs inspired by the scenery of the PA Wilds region. Each Paint the PA Wilds Watercolor Kit includes two 6-inch by 9-inch painting templates printed on heavy 140# watercolor paper; one reusable paint palette with mixing wells and watercolor pigments; a pipette; a round taklon watercolor brush; images of painting examples; painting hints, tips and techniques; and a DIY color exploration sampler. The kit options to date include:

• PA Grand Canyon & Wood Sorrel
• Dark Skies & Mountain Laurel 
• Monarchs & Milkweed
• Kinzua Skywalk View & Trout Lily

The kits are designed with those ages 12 and older in mind and are appropriate for a variety of skill levels. While the included painting tips and technique descriptions can help guide someone who is a newcomer to watercolor painting, the kit is made with high-quality materials that will also be appreciated by watercolor enthusiasts.

The Paint the PA Wilds Watercolor Kits are a thoughtful gift, either given “as-is” for the recipient to finish or completed and given as a one-of-a-kind treasure. 

In addition, Paint the PA Wilds Watercolor Kits are also available at wholesale rates for retail businesses that may be interested in carrying them.  

A portion of proceeds from each kit sold will help support the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship’s mission to integrate conservation and economic development in a way that strengthens and inspires communities in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

The at-home art kit now available on the PA Wilds Marketplace was sparked by another idea of Mader’s, which recently won Third Place and the People’s Choice award in the 2023 PA Wilds BIG IDEA Contest with Ben Franklin Technology Partners. Mader is developing The Caregiver’s Artbox, a subscription-based service that supports individuals working in a home-care setting or other care communities to help spread joy, a sense of purpose, and a feeling of well-being to seniors. During the BIG IDEA Contest, Mader demonstrated how The Caregiver’s Artbox will deliver engaging art lessons for a variety of physical and cognitive abilities, using quality supplies and helpful video instructions.  

Both art kit models demonstrate a broader vision that the artist has for how to support and inspire creativity for all ages, and each offers unique opportunities for people to explore art in individual or group settings.

“We are excited about these new PA Wilds Watercolor Kits, which reflect the beauty and bounty of the Pennsylvania Wilds so beautifully,” said Hannah Brock, Licensing Manager at PA Wilds Center. “In addition to helping people explore their creativity and gain a deeper understanding of watercolor techniques, these PA Wilds Watercolor Kits showcase some of the most awe-inspiring spots in the state. They can serve as a reminder of a place that one loves to visit, as a precursor to experiencing a place for the first time, or even just help bring the beauty of the PA Wilds inside.”

To learn more about Mader or to purchase a PA Wilds Watercolor Kit, visit ShopThePAWilds.com/JulieMader.