From sidewalk chalk to a puppet pageant, art will blanket the town this weekend.

The 37th Annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is expected to bring innovative minds from far and wide to showcase creativity and talent in a variety of mediums. For five days locals and visitors will explore art exhibitions, dance and musical displays while shopping and learning about diverse forms of expression.

The Arts Festival saturates State College each year with creative presentations and unique people. However, to fully appreciate the festival, viewers should know exactly what they're viewing. This event's energetic atmosphere can be overwhelming, especially to first time visitors, so take along the following guide to popular craft mediums and enjoy.

Basketry: Visual Arts Director Rick Bryant said basketry involves making baskets out of oak thin enough to weave, tan and wicker. One famous basket maker, Mary Jackson of Charleston, creates baskets out of sweet grass.

Fiber: This art involves bright colors and hand painted fabrics. Local fiber artist Sandi Garris said she will display contemporary quilts and wall hangings at the Arts Festival.

Glass: Glass art ranges from R.B. Nugent's custom designed glass doors to stained glass designs and blown glass Christmas tree ornaments and vases, Bryant said. Actual glass blowing will not be demonstrated at the festival.

Leather: Lanny Tewell of Newburg, Pennsylvania said he makes handbags as a leather artist. It focuses on the lack of uniformity of the raw materials. This more functional medium takes cowhide from tanneries and turns it into items for everyday use.

Metal: Copper, aluminum, steel and enamel pieces that are not in the jewelry category will be displayed as metal art at the festival, Bryant said. Wall decorations, bowls, utensils and Fabergé eggs are common examples of this art, though
the latter will not be in the festival.

Paper: Handmade paper products from paper pulp comprise paper art products, Bryant said. Often in a marbled pattern, paper art ranges from stationary to handmade books and picture frames.

Wood: Bryant said wood art at the festival will include furniture, toys and utensils. Jonathon Simons' company sells handmade wooden spoons at around $18 per spoon.

Jewelry vs. Wearable Art: Regardless of materials, all jewelry is labeled jewelry art and clothing is usually categorized as wearable art, Bryant said.

Ceramic vs. Sculpture: Bryant said sculptures are nonfunctional art made out of any material from bronze to toothpicks. Ceramic pieces are usually functional and always made from clay.

Drawing, watercolor, photography, printmaking, painting and musical instruments will also be displayed.