Lady Boss: Swindle brings Mystic Arts Faire to Glasgow this month

On Oct. 22 Glasgow will welcome the Mystic Arts Faire at The Grove behind Ralphie’s Fun Center, presented by the Mystic Arts Association. If it sounds a bit whimsical and mysterious, it is. So is its founder, artist Ashley Swindle. Swindle’s artistic journey has become tightly woven to the existence of the association and the event.

“Ten years ago in the midst of having children, and school, and work, and starting a photography business, I was in a state of burn out. I wanted to find a mentor in the arts, but I had no idea where to start, so I turned to Google University,” Swindle laughed.

Just a few years ago, Swindle returned to photography and incorporated other mediums like jewelry, clay and displays. She then ventured deeper into visual arts as well. All of Swindle’s work, regardless of the medium used, has a distinct look that leans strongly on nature and themes of life, death and rebirth.

“I have a Biology-related degree and I like to use natural materials and reclaimed items for my work. Even the dried flowers I use I purchase locally from a gardener. I also scavenge for items like bones and insects that I incorporate. I go where the art tells me to go. My artistic journey is tied closely to my spiritual journey,” Swindle said.

Unfortunately, despite the profound, Swindle soon learned that there were many artists like herself that fell into what she calls “alternative art” that simply did not have a platform.

 “After some failed attempts in selling at local events, I realized quickly, there is a gap in the community for alternative artists to network, sell, or even share their art.”  That realization lead Swindle to know her art was about more than her own creative process; it was about helping herself and others to thrive outside the box.

 The Mystic Arts Faire was born a year ago in September. The first faire was thrown together with great tenacity and effort in hopes of giving a venue to the less traditional artists in South Central Kentucky and beyond.

“The first event brought in over two thousand people, and it proved there was a market for us non-traditional artists,”  Swindle said.

Beyond the Faire, The Mystic Arts Association sprang to life. A new non-profit with hopes and aspirations that exist well into the future, to serve as a port for artists of the unusual.

“We are developing the non-profit, and we will be helping artists learn how to navigate selling their art. How to create a business, market it, and incorporate social media,” Swindle said.

They have begun offering memberships with an annual renewal that will allow artists to collaborate, share ideas, get discounts on classes, and ultimately become a resource for artists who did not once have a way to share or express themselves.

To bridge the gap between the artists and community, the association is partnering with The Kentucky Museum of WKU to foster a plethora of inclusive arts related classes and endeavors.

“Artists not having a place is something the museum is trying to change along side us. They are creating and opening doors for people who otherwise do not have opportunities. Together, we are introducing both paid- and donation-based classes at the museum. It’s no expectation art, and what I mean by that is, we will offer a theme and techniques but allow the artist to interpret it however they see it,” Swindle said.

With Autumn right around the corner so is the next fall festival and arts faire. This fall’s Mystic Arts Faire is already full up on vendors, but people who wish to be vendors at future events can be added to an email list kept by the association. Although Swindle refuses to hold a “stuffy” jury process for accepting vendors, she does consciously strive to ensure that each vendor offers something unique and slightly different than the others so as not to be repetitious.

Mystic Arts Faire attendants can expect everything from an all-ages costume contest, giveaways, food trucks, dance performances, and mystically inspired vendors. The other-worldly metaphysical services such as Tarot and Reiki have become a mainstay of the faire.

Anyone who wants to know more about the association may visit the website at mysticartsky.org click here for their Facebook page, which offers frequent updates and details regarding the Mystic Arts Faire.

If you are interested in sponsoring the association, reach out directly by emailing aswindle@mysticartsky.org