Feb. 2020 Newsletter

by | Feb 1, 2020 | Articles, Newsletter Archive |

President’s Message:

I am writing my message to you and wandering what Punxsutawney Phil will predict.  My idea of winter includes snow on the ground, not mud.

When you are reading this message, your Guild will have completed two of the four pop-ups we have scheduled at Renninger’s Farmer’s Market.  They are called First Saturday’s and I am encouraging you to consider doing one of these easy pop up shows.  We could use a few more vendors at our March 7 and April 4 First Saturday’s.  It is an easy in and easy out venue.  These pop up shows are trending now and we thought it was worthwhile to give them a try.

Our show committee has reviewed last year’s show and is planning for 2020.  We can always use some more input and help from our members.  If you would like to join us please contact me or Steve Hunter, our new chairperson for our shows.  We should be receiving word from Kutztown University in late March with the date for our 71st Holiday Show.

Our Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen standards committee will be judging the BCIU art show in February here at the Goggleworks.  We will be awarding our Stanley Seltz awards to these talented students.  I am going to be checking with the new Sly Fox Cafe that just opened here at the Goggleworks to see if we can hold our business meeting in March in the cafe.   Food and refreshment will be available at your expense.  Our program that night will be a tour of the Student BCIU art show gallery.  This is a most delightful evening that helps to beat the winter blahs!

“The manner in which it is given is worth more than the gift.”  Pierre Corneille

Your President,  Barry L. Bennecoff

Groundhog day is February 2nd!

Media:

“Your Berks Craftsmen” for February will feature another peak at the Kutztown Folk Festival 2019.  In March, “Your Berks Craftsmen” will feature Carol Haile as she takes us on a tour of the Berks County Intermediate Art Show at the Goggleworks and some up-close and personal interviews with some of the students who were recipients of The Reading Berks Guild of Craftsmen’s Stanley Seltz  student awards.

Stay tuned and informed,                                                        Your BCTV host,  Kay Bennecoff

Programs:

This month’s program will feature Annie Harland. She will be speaking on marketing and presentation, with focus on booth display and year-long connections. Annie brings decades of experience to the subject. Don’t miss this one!

Programs Chair, Matt Vardjan

Education:

The exhibit of the 2020 BCIU Secondary Art and Craft Exhibit at the GoggleWorks will be held from Feb. 22 till March 9.

The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen’s 2020 Stanley G. Seltz Student Award Winners will be selected from the many art and craft entries at this county-wide event.

Winners and their works will be featured in future editions of this newsletter.

Mini-Grants:

The Guild awards four Mini-Grants of $50 each year, chosen randomly from applications submitted, to members in good standing who wish to continue their education. Mini-Grants may also be used to explore new areas of interest. The Guild is deeply committed to encouraging each member’s pursuit of excellence and growth.This year’s Mini Grants will be randomly drawn at the Reading-Berks Chapter’s regularly scheduled meeting at the Goggleworks on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

Winners will be drawn from applications (completed in full) and submitted by the deadline of Monday, March 16, 2020.  Entries must be received at our Reading-Berks Chapter PGC, ATTN. Carol Haile, Post Office Box 85, Mohnton, PA  19540 by that date.  Those received after that date will not be included in the drawing.

Apply Now!

Education Chair, Carol Haile

Standards:

Our next jury session will be Tuesday,  March 10th.  For more information on Standards, the Jury Process and Jury application see the Standards page.

Standards  Chair, Louise Mehaffey

Pop-up Shows are easy and inexpensive way to sale your artwork!  

Events:

General Meetings: (1st Tuesday of Month)

February 4th, 7 PM at the GoggleWorks
March 3rd, 7 PM at the GoggleWorks
April 7th, 7 PM at the GoggleWorks

Shows:
Pop-up Shows:  1st Saturdays in March and April, Renninger’s Farmers’ Market, Kutztown, PA

Holiday Festival:   KU Field house, date to be determined (usually the last weekend in October or the first weekend in November)

Want to add something to next month’s Newsletter

If you would like something added to our Newsletter,  please contact Sandra Jones at info@rbcrafts.org