Oddities and curiosities celebrate alternative artists at ManAFest 2024

MANSFIELD — Dani Sheridan judged her success at ManAFest by the joy the artists around her felt.

“I have one vendor who is doing his first event and had no idea what to bring,” she said. “He was so excited about how many prints he sold.

“My goal is to create a space for alternative artists who don’t fit into typical art spaces to have their work noticed and appreciated.”

Born in Mansfield, Sheridan lived in Columbus for more than a decade and recently returned to her hometown. She was an organizer of ManAFest’s “Carnival of Curiosities” this year.

ManAFest, coordinated by Victoria Hoefler, presented its sixth annual arts festival on September 21 in Mansfield’s Central Park, the first year to feature a zone of oddities and oddities.

“I told Dani to organize Oddities and Curiosities as if it were its own festival, and she did an absolutely amazing job,” Hoefler said.

Nearly 30 artists set up booths on North Diamond Street, showcasing art, home décor and attractions including tarot readings and circus performances by Divine Harmony Entertainment.

“We tried to find as many different types of people and artists as we could,” Sheridan said. “I definitely want to continue those things with ManAFest and Mansfield Music Fest — just growing the culture and artists in our area, because I think everyone is amazing.”

Raven Starr, artist and musician, has been a vendor at all six years of ManAFest. On Saturday, they sold prints, earrings, T-shirts and music merchandise.

“I think this is the best year for ManAFest just because of the Oddities and Curiosities section,” Starr said. “It was so much fun and lighthearted and the energy was incredible.

“I think there’s a lot of honesty in the art of Oddities and Curiosities. There’s a lot of emotion in any kind of art if the artist puts it there, but no matter what you find in Oddities here, it’s something that will make you think.”

Oddities & Curiosities provides a platform for “alternative artists”

Amanda Rusynyk, co-owner of Madam Bagnabit in Ashland, brought some of the store’s merchandise to her booth on Saturday.

“We’re kind of ramping up the weird stuff for Halloween, so we have some Halloween stuff as well,” she said. “We’ve sold a lot of stickers and bones and trinkets.”

Saturday was Madam Bagnabit’s first visit to ManAFest. Rusynyk said the presence of oddities and curiosities at ManAFest can increase traffic or interest in the festival.

“I think incorporating that into the theme adds a little mystery and intrigue because you don’t really know what you’re going to find,” she said. “It’s also nice to meet people who may not have come into our Ashland store yet and reach more people.”

Matt Northrup, a Columbus comic book artist, was selling cartoons Saturday. He said he was impressed with the crowd ManAFest drew to downtown Mansfield.

“Dani always invites me to the events she organizes, but this is my first time at ManAFest,” Northrup said.

“I’m really impressed by the diversity of people who come here. I didn’t expect that in a small town like Mansfield you could meet so many different people and families.”

Sheridan said she wants Oddities and Curiosities to get even bigger and better next year.

“I thought it was a great day with a lot of different art to look at,” she said. “I’m so grateful to Victoria and all the vendors and artists who helped make it happen.”