Peep art a sign of spring

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It's a Peep show of a different kind.

More than 80 displays of the marshmallow treats as art are being featured at the Webster Recreation Center this weekend in the first Greater Rochester Peep Show. The event is hosted by the Webster Community Chest and other volunteers to raise funds for 13 area charities.

"We thought this would be a fun event to host," said Mary Goodlein, a board member of Webster Community Chest. "It's that time of the year when spring is here, we just thought this would bring people out."

Organizations and individuals submit their creative muse to be judged by the attendees, who purchase tickets to place their votes. Money is raised through corporate sponsorships and the voting tickets sales but admission is free, Goodlein said.

Many of the artists had fun with the Peep theme. The displays ranged from a kid-sized castle to a dinosaur eating a rabbit Peep.

The show served as a creative outlet for aspiring artists such as Gloria Becker, who works for Chamberlain Septic & Sewer and Gordon Beh Excavating in Fairport. She and her co-workers made a septic truck out of Peeps and an outhouse with a Peep on the toilet. The wheels on the truck were made from used plastic coffee cup lids.

"We wanted to highlight recycling," Becker said.

Cathy Bayne, who works as an office manager for Dr. Stan Drabik, a Webster orthodontist who is one of the show's sponsors, came up with a ski-themed display of Peeps, with the marshmallow creatures on the slopes and on ski lifts. The staff didn't want to do a display related to teeth. Instead, they opted for the lodge theme, which is similar to how the office is decorated, Bayne said.

Other Peep displays included Girl Scout Brownie Troop 60756's depiction of Peeps camping, a sculptural Peep birdhouse by The Bird House in Brighton and a floral display of yellow Peeps with black jelly bean centers by the floral shop at Hegedorn's Market in Webster.

The Peep art brought smiles to many people admiring the elaborate creations. While it's hard to pick a favorite, Webster resident Jom Riek particularly liked the Jurassic Peep display by Rochester Academy of Science. When you push the button on the mechanical dinosaur, it chews up the marshmallow creature.

Many of the Peep art are on sale to raise money for the local charities. The volunteers did not set a goal, as this is the first year of the event, Goodlein said, adding that she hopes the cute pastel creations are an inspiration for spring.

Bayne enjoyed checking out others' interpretation of Peep art while rooting for her company to win.

"I think it's a great way to get the community together," Bayne said.

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