Oddities and curiosities celebrate alternative artists at 2024 ManAFest

MANSFIELD — Dani Sheridan measured her success at ManAFest by the joy from artists surrounding her.

“I have one vendor who’s doing his very first event and had no idea what to bring,” she said. “He was so stoked by the number of prints he’s sold. 

“My goal is to provide a space for alternative artists who may not fit into typical art spaces to have their work recognized and praised.”

A Mansfield native, Sheridan lived in Columbus for more than 10 years and recently moved back to her hometown. She was the organizer of ManAFest’s “Carnival of Curiosities” this year.

ManAFest, coordinated by Victoria Hoefler, presented its sixth annual arts festival on Sept. 21 at Mansfield’s Central Park. This was the first year that included an Oddities and Curiosities zone.

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

Nearly 30 artists set up booths on North Diamond Street with art pieces, home decor and activities including tarot readings and circus performances from Divine Harmony Entertainment.

“We tried to find as many different types of people and artists that we could,” Sheridan said. “I definitely want to keep doing these events with ManAFest and Mansfield Music Fest — just developing the culture and the artists in our area because I think they’re all amazing.”

Raven Starr, an artist and musician, has been a vendor at all six years of ManAFest. They were selling prints, earrings, shirts and music merchandise on Saturday. 

“In my opinion, this is the best year for ManAFest simply because of the Oddities and Curiosities section,” Starr said. “It’s been so entertaining and fun and the energy has been incredible.

“I think there’s a lot of honesty to be found in Oddities and Curiosities art. There’s a lot of emotion in every kind of art if the artist puts it there, but no matter what you find in oddities over here, it’s going to be something that makes you think.”

Oddities & Curiosities provides platform for ‘alternative artists’

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

“We kind of ramp up the weird stuff for the Halloween season, so we have some merchandise from that too,” she said. “We’ve sold a lot of stickers, some bones and trinkets.”

Saturday was Madame Bagnabit’s first time at ManAFest. Rusynyk said having oddities and curiosities at ManAFest might increase traffic or people interested in the festival.

“I think having this as part of the theme adds some mystery and intrigue, because you don’t really know what you’ll find,” she said. “It’s also nice to meet people who maybe haven’t come up to our Ashland store.”

Matt Northrup, a comic book artist from Columbus, sold caricatures on Saturday. He said he was impressed with the crowd that ManAFest drew to downtown Mansfield.

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

“I’m genuinely impressed with the diversity of people coming down here, I didn’t expect to see so many different people and families in a smaller city like Mansfield.”

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

“I think it’s been a great day with lots of different art to take in,” she said. “I’m super grateful to Victoria and all the vendors and artists who helped make it happen.”