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– OCP photo by Ross Field
By Ross Field, Contributing Writer
ROTHBURY — Nestled deep in the towering pines of the Sherwood Forest, the Art Bar has been a popular wayside stop, a quiet oasis in the shade, for folks wandering between the Ranch Arena and Sherwood Court stages since 2015.
Over the course of the festival the Art Bar offers craft projects for folks to engage their creativity and then wear upon themselves – bracelets, necklaces, and pins among other adornments.
– OCP photo by Ross Field
Like many of the other structures at the Electric Forest, the Art Bar itself is a work of art, and its creation takes time and effort.
“We began setting up seven days ago,” said Candy Carter, the onsite manager of the Art Bar, “And, Thursday (the opening day of the Electric Forest) was still a 20-hour day for me.”
The Art Bar began as an installation at the Electric Forest in 2015, and Carter began running it in 2017.
– OCP photo by Ross Field
“We also had a presence at the Faster Horses Festival for a few years,” said Carter.
“We have a staff of 22 workers from around the United States – California, Oregon, and Florida – and we have three or four from right here in Rothbury,” said Carter.
The ideas for Art Bar projects are the result of collaboration between Carter, Nova Han Productions, Brad Lyman, and Patrick Balduchi.
– OCP photo by Ross Field
“Each year we are given a budget, and we develop projects that we think will be engaging for folks,” said Carter.
Carter is an Electric Forest veteran. She met her husband Michael, who is part of the setup staff for the festival, at the 2009 Rothbury festival.
“We met in the VIP tent right before Willie Nelson played at the Odeum stage”, said Carter. “And, in 2022 we got married here at the Double JJ Ranch.”
The Art Bar will close late Sunday night, June 22, and after a three-day tear down, the Art Bar team will begin dreaming of projects for the 2026 Electric Forest.
– OCP photo by Ross Field
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