Newsletter May 2021 | Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen

President’s Message:

I believe my message will reach you right after our Juried Fine Art and Craft Show at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market on Saturday, May 1 and I am just going to say it……..I am really looking forward to being with you my fellow craftsmen and fine artists. I have missed you, my friends, and your Reading-Berks Guild’s show committee says “Welcome”. We haven’t had an outdoor show as long as I’ve been part of our Guild. I and the show committee were pleased with the number of craftsmen and fine artists who committed to this outdoor event.

We are also very pleased to announce that we got the “thumbs up” from Kutztown University for our 71st annual Juried Fine Art and Craft Festival. This event will be Saturday, November 6 and Sunday, November 7, 2021. So, needless to say, get those applications in soon. The Pennsylvania German Heritage Center of Kutztown University has also been in touch with me and stated they are opening up in Fall for their events. Yea!!!!! We couldn’t be happier.

Also in the news, our judging team was busy with the virtual Berks County Intermediate Unit Art Show and what a job they did. Thanks to our team for getting together and judging this event. They are proud to say that they were able to give out most of our Stanley Seltz awards to these very talented students. Thank you to everyone involved in pulling this off in a very challenging year and coming through for the students. You will be able to see the winning entries on BCTV’s “Your Berks Craftsmen” on Wednesday, May 19 at 7:00 PM and as the program for Tuesday’s, May 4, Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen’s Zoom meeting. AND while I am thanking people, thanks goes to our new show chairperson, Steve Hunter and to his show committee for all the work that went into promoting a new event at a new location.

Important news from the state—PGC is creating a Facebook group for active members. Look for more information on details about this group. This will be a great way for artists and craftsmen from our guilds across our state to get together and share and learn. Also, don’t forget to renew your membership, with the rolling dates for renewals, we always have a few members who need to renew.

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” Abraham Lincoln

Your President, Barry L. Bennecoff

Shows:

Our May First Show had wonderful spring weather. For a full update, please attend Tuesday’s Zoom meeting. Instructions on how to sign up for Zoom meetings is later in this newsletter.

I have a great show committee and they already have the Holiday Show Application on the website! Click the link below to get the application.

Show Chair, Steve Hunter

71st Annual
Holiday
Fine Art & Craft Festival

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November 6 & 7

Application

Programs:

May’s Meeting will continue to be by Zoom. The program will be a presentation of the BCIU award winners. This will be our first try at presenting via Zoom, so please be patient with us.

Programs Chair, Matt Vardjan

General Meetings by Zoom:

Due to social distancing and indoor event attendance limits, we will be having our May Meeting by Zoom. Please sign up for our Zoom meetings by emailing: info@rbcrafts.org. You will be invited to all future zoom meetings. If you do not have a computer, a table or smart phone, there is a phone in only option.

The link to the zoom meeting will be sent by Mail Chimp a day or two before the meeting.

Media:

BCTV’s “Your Berks Craftsmen” will feature our team of judges and the winning entries from the Berks County Intermediate Unit art show on May 19, 2021 at 7:00 PM. This was recently judged by us and 11 winners were announced. Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen presented these 11 winners with certificates, a total of $800 in cash awards, and invitations to be part of our student gallery at our 71st annual juried Fine Art and Craft Festival on November 6 & 7, 2021, at Kutztown University in the O’Pake Fieldhouse. Every month on the third Wednesday at 7:00 PM “Your Berks Craftsmen” features “You”, our talented and creative artists and craftsmen. Catch up on an episode you missed or on an episode you just want to watch again and again on our website: rbcrafts.org, or go to BCTV’s website at bctv.org. We are on YouTube also. BCTV is also coming to our Juried May Day Craft Festival to tape an episode of “Your Berks Craftsmen”. We will be talking with our craftsmen and artists in their booths. The episode will air in the future. I can’t wait to see everyone in person. Thank you BCTV and thanks to our craftsmen and artists. “You” are the stars of “Your Berks Craftsmen.” I couldn’t do it without “You”.
Your BCTV Host, Kay Bennecoff

Education:

We have our Stanley G. Seltz Student Award Winners for the Berks County Intermediate Unit’s Art Students.

Fine Arts

1st Place $100 Sydney Hodgson, Antietam, Self Portrait

2nd Place $75 Allison Bowman, Boyertown, Uke Wrapped in Fabric

3rd Place $50 Riley Adam, Hamburg, Shoes/Strawberry (Color Drawings)

Crafts

1st Place $100 Emma Gehris, Oley, Handmade Paper & Books

2nd Place $75 Allora Fernandez, Schuylkill Valley, Fashion Boot

3rd Place $50 Leah Mitchell, Wyomissing, Cubist Sculpture

4th Place $50 Abigail Ide, Kutztown, Linoleum (Owls)

Special Awards

The Burkhart-Gerhart Family Award
$100 Emma Gehris, Oley, Weavings on a Leaf

The Hedwig Miller Fiber Award
$100 Karleigh Patton, Exeter, Textiles
(A Portrait of Myself, Feeling Whimsical, Macrame Purse)

The Ruthanne Hartung 2-Dimensional Award
$100 Erin Goudie, Daniel Boone, B/W Drawing (Wash Your Hands)

Award of Merit
Anastasia Kelsall, Kutztown, Digital Drawing (Jellyfish)

All of the winners are invited to be in our Holiday Show Student Gallery. To see the winners art work, join Tuesday’s Zoom meeting. They will also be displayed starting next week on our website under education: https://rbcrafts.org/our-guild/education/

Education Chair, Carol Haile

Standards:

The next jury session is scheduled for Tues, Sept 14, 2021 at the Goggleworks. Members who have belonged to our chapter for a minimum of 3 months are eligible to present their work for jurying. The room will be open at 6:30, and jurying will begin at 7:00. Members will be asked to leave before jurying begins, and can return in 1- 1 1/2 hours for the results. For more information or for an application, go to https://rbcrafts.org/resources or contact Louise at eglassplace@gmail.com.

Standards Chair, Louise Mehaffey

Opportunities:

The Pa Guild store would like for anyone from our guild, who would like to put items in the store for May, to please fill out an application. Go to PAcrafts.org and go to shop, the application to apply should be there.

We the Reading-Berks Guild will be again the featured guild in December and we will have the opportunity to be featured in the store that month. There is no featured guild for May.

Not Your Run of the Mill Living History Fair has invited our members to apply. The fair is at the Bahr’s Mill in Boyertown, PA on June 19th with a rain date of June 20th. A 10′ by 10′ space is $75. Please contact office.BoyertownHistory@gmail.com or 610-367-5255, if interested.

Events:

General Meetings: (1st Tuesday of Month)

May 4, 2021: General Meeting via Zoom at 7 PM

Each month GoggleWorks is looking at the latest guidance from the state on what is appropriate for gatherings at the GoggleWorks. Currently the numbers for each meeting room are too small to accommodate us at this time. Please check each month to see how and/or where meetings are being held.

Shows:

November 6 & &, 2021: 71st Annual Holiday Fine Art & Craft Festival

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