Commonwheel art festival brings out the uncommon

Laid off from her job as a secretary a few years ago, Peggy Kutila desperately needed something to do. She collected ties, but hobbies like that don’t normally pay the bills.

Late one night, she had an idea. Taking out her sewing machine, she started piecing the ties together to make hats, skirts and hair bands.

And, as she explains it, she only needed a little inspirational help.

“It’s the wine, but it’s not the good wine — it’s the box stuff,” said Kutila, beginning to laugh.

Her career move proved rather lucrative Sunday as her ensembles sold quickly at the 36th annual Commonwheel Artists Labor Day Weekend Fine Arts and Crafts fair.

Hosted by the Commonwheel Artists Co-op, the fair featured artwork from about 100 artists, most of whom live in Colorado. It continues today at Memorial Park in Manitou Springs.

Kutila wasn’t the only creative person in the park. Artists displayed everything from wood bowls to clay pots, while paintings and photographs were placed side-by-side.

One man, Mike Combs, showed off sculptures made entirely of scrap metal. One depicted a buffalo made of a beer keg, some spare steel rods and an old timing chain, which was its tail.

“I call that a Beer-falo,” Combs said, smiling.

The event itself was unique. Recycling companies were brought in to cut down on trash and waste. In 2009, organizers managed to recycle 87 percent of the trash produced at the event.

But Julia Wright, who organized the event, simply hoped the event would stir a little creativity in the community and help the community to get to know artists on a one-on-one basis.

“Art is from your soul and it touches your soul — there’s that connection,” Wright said.

Standing next to a rack of skirts made of stripped and polka-dotted ties, Kutila did just that. She remarked how one man’s hat inspired her to search for ties to complete a Harley-Davidson ensemble.

Another woman offered to donate a box of ties from an elderly man who recently passed away.

“It’s his life,” the woman said. “I want them to find a home.’

Kutila simply smiled and accepted the offer. After all, she needs to re-stock her tie collection for next year’s fair.