Mark May, Folk Art Robots

It’s probably best if I just come right out and tell you I have serious, “Pennsylvania Pride.” I am so fond of our state’s combined quirkiness and beauty. I think it is the harmonious contrasts [say Mennonites at the monster truck show] that lead to awesome folk art.

Enter Mark May (Reading,PA)… as far as I know he has nothing to do with Mennonites or monster truck shows, but he’s undoubtedly part of a long-standing Pennsylvania folk art tradition.

Mark makes robots. “All of the materials Mark uses are found, salvaged, donated, or purchased from flea markets in his travels.”

We met Mark about four years ago at Home & Planet. He has great zeal for his work; it’s very contagious. His work is also incredibly magnetizing. It can be seen at the Outsider Folk Art Gallery at Goggle Works in Reading, PA.

If perhaps you are not in an “art collecting” phase in your life, Mark May ornaments would be a super gift.

Kate, in partnership with her husband, designs and fabricates unique sculptural and functional metal works using old farm machinery –Gatski Metal. Kate is also the mother of two busy little children.