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Waynesville gallery showcasing marshmallow Peeps as artwork

Submitted photo In the Waynesville Peeps Show, the marshmallow candy is organized into art, referencing pop culture touchstones like the "Oprah Winfrey Show" (renamed the "Oprah Peepfrey Show"). Contributed photo

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer 10:28 AM Saturday, April 9, 2011

WAYNESVILLE — Cassandra Graham has created art in a variety of forms, but she has never worked in the medium of candy before.

“It’s not exactly Picasso, but it’s a lot of fun,” Graham said.

Graham, the co-owner of the Wombat Art Works gallery in Waynesville has organized the village’s first Peeps Show.

In the Peeps Show, candy artisans are invited to take Peeps, the tiny marshmallow candies (usually in a chick or bunny shape) that are popular around the Easter season, and create dioramas using the famous candy.

Graham said people had taken inspiration from a number of pop culture references including Oprah (who now stars in the Oprah Peepfry Show), March Madness (the chicks play the bunnies in basketball) and Mount Rushmore (now called Mount Peepmore).

“Everyone is enjoying (the Peeps Show),” Graham said. “After a long winter, it was something fun for people to play with and remind us all spring is on the way.”

Graham said she drew the line at dressing like a Peep, but could occasionally be seen wearing bunny ears in her store.

Everyone is invited to enter a Peep display into the show. Peeps masterpieces can be brought in between noon and 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays at the Wombat Art Works, 258 S. Main St., in Scioto Square in Waynesville until April 23. The displays will be showcased at Wombat and other stores throughout downtown Waynesville.

At 2 p.m. April 23, Wombat will host a Peep Party at the Main Street gazebo to celebrate the candy and the art.

Graham said it hasn’t been difficult to resist the urge to eat the masterpieces already on display.

“Honestly, I’m not a big fan of Peeps,” Graham said with a laugh. “I had them stockpiled at home and nobody would go near them.”