March 2023 Newsletter

President’s Message:

As I am writing this message, I am looking out my window seeing little bits of snow and the green leaves of daffodils.  Mother Nature has been relatively easy on us this Winter of 2022-2023 and at this point I am hoping that Spring has sprung and it will stay that way.

Our Spring Show at Renninger’s Farmer’s Market is Saturday, May 6, Steve and the show committee have been diligently working on “getting the word out” about this event.  There is still time for you to sign up to do the show and be part of this event.  Deadline is April 1; don’t be fooling around…sign up now.  Application is at rbcrafts.org, the Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen’s website.

“Easter on the Farm” is on April 1 at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, from 11 AM to 4 PM.  This is a fun event for all with plenty to do.  There will be craftsmen, entertainment and a learning experience for everyone “down on the farm”.

The Kutztown Folk Festival still has some openings for craftsmen and artists for this year’s event.  A lot of our craftsmen are part of this event and while it is a big commitment, you are able to reach a lot of potential customers.  It is an opportunity to teach people about arts and crafts in a setting of one of the best festivals in the United States.  KUTZTOWNFESTIVAL.COM

We will very soon have our date for the Holiday Fine Art and Craft Festival at Kutztown University for Fall of 2023.  As soon as we do, the application will be on our website.  You can see all of what’s happening with your guild on our website, on our Facebook and Instagram.  Stay connected.

Last note:  Don’t forget to renew your membership and get busy in your studio or workshop.  People want to buy “Made in America”.

“And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country.”  John F. Kennedy

Your President,
Barry L. Bennecoff

Programs:

During this workshop art|Works Initiative co-founders, Jessi Stead (jessi@artworksinitiative.com) and Ilya Lehrman (ilya@artworksinitiative.com), will discuss the genesis of the idea that underpins Business of Art Essentials and START, membership programs provided by art|Works Initiative. An aspiring artist/artisan entrepreneur or an owner of an existing art business can expect to learn about best practices in implementing technology solutions, how principles that allow large corporations to scale can be applied in microbusinesses, and how moving to a solid foundation can help you avoid costly mistakes while making it easy to grow operations, manage documents, keep track of finances, and discover new opportunities. The discussion will touch on specific tools and approaches that can help you manage your business of art with minimal overhead and fewer headaches.

Programs Chair,
Matt Vardjan

Shows:

Our spring show will soon be upon us. This is shaping up to be a great show. We are ahead from last year in the number of craftsmen applying for this show at this time. If you are thinking about this show get your application in now.

The fall show at KU is also off to a running start, all we need is the official date from the University and everything should fit into place.

We had many positive comments on the changes we made to the look of the show  and will continue our work making this the best show ever.

Please join us.

Social Media:

We’re continuing to promote our Spring Show on Facebook and Instagram. Engagement has been good on Facebook, and the word is really getting out. Please keep sharing posts to your page, this is the best way to continue the momentum. We could use some love on our Instagram page, who doesn’t like clinking on heart icons, comments are fun too, let’s start a conversation.

We have posted our Spring Craft Show Event on Facebook and Instagram. If you’re planning on visiting or participating in the event, you can select Going from the event page which will give you the option to invite your Facebook friends. This would really help us to get the word out.

Instagram link – https://www.instagram.com/readingberksguild/
Facebook link – https://www.facebook.com/rbcraftsguild/

We’re always looking for new photos to promote our Guild. If you have something new you would like to share, please send photos to images@rbcrafts.org.

Thank you,                                                                                                                                                    Social Media Chair,
Lisa  Short

Media (BCTV):

Can’t wait to hear more about The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen?  Well, tune into BCTV’s “Your Berks Craftsmen” on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 7:00 PM.  You will be seeing some of your fellow craftsmen along with Steve Hunter, show chairperson, and they will be sharing what’s new for 2023 and what you will find by coming out and seeing Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen’s Spring Show at Renninger’s Farmer’s Market on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 9 AM to 3 PM under the Pavilion.  On Comcast, you will tune into Channel 15.  Don’t have Comcast, view it on your computer at BCTV.org.  You will also be able to view it on our website at rbcrfts.org the next day or check us out on YouTube in a day or two.  Reading-Berks Guild is everywhere.

Standards:

The next jury session is scheduled for Tues, March 7, 2023 at the Goggleworks in room 325. 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 5:30, and jurying will begin at 6:00. Members will be asked to leave before jurying begins, and can return in 30 minutes for the results. For more information or for an application, go to https://rbcrafts.org/resources or contact Louise at eglassplace@gmail.com. Any Standards Committee member who can’t attend, please let me know.

Standards Chair,
Louise Mehaffey

Mini-Grants:

A New Year brings us more opportunities to fine-tune our craft or investigate a new one.

Four Mini-Grants, each in the amount of $50, will be awarded in April (please note: you must attend the April meeting to win).  See application for details.

Education Chair,
Carol Haile

Membership:

March is National Craft Month!   If you are not already a member of the PA Guild of Craftsmen, consider becoming one.  Also, be sure to choose a Reading-Berks Guild as your chosen chapter.

From the State web site this month, we are showing a total of 151 members for our Reading-Berks Guild chapter.  You can see the status of your membership on the State Web site here: https://pacrafts.org/members/

If you are new to the Guild and have not contacted me regarding obtaining a new badge, please let me know so that I can get you on the new list and place an order.  I have four folks pending and need another one or two to complete an order.  I will be at the March meeting at the Goggleworks if there are questions.

Thanks Much,

Membership Chair,
Gary Rosborough

Obituary for Neil Haring:

Neil A. Haring, 89, of Wyomissing, passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Highlands.

He was the husband of the late Arlene R. Haring who passed away in 1990, the Rev. Lynda R. Haring, who passed away in 2022.

Born in Lyons, PA, he was the son of the late Chester A., Jr. and Emma A. (Rollman) Haring.

Surviving are his children:  Margo K., wife of Thomas Slichter of Wellsboro; Matthew J. Haring of Cumru Twp. and Mark R., husband of Kimberly Haring of Severna Park, MD; and many grandchildren.

Neil graduated from Kutztown High School in 1951 and Kutztown University in 1957.  He started his teaching career in the Lehighton School District from 1957 to 1962.  He was employed by the Gov. Mifflin School District as an Elementary Art teacher and served as head of the Art Department retiring in 1992 after 30 years of service.

Under his own name, he practiced the art of paper cutting and sold his work at many craft shows in eastern PA.  In October, 1991, he became a juried member of the PA Guild of Craftsmen.  He served on the Board of Directors of the Reading-Berks Guild  of Craftsmen.  He also was treasurer of the Guild of American Paper Cutters, a national organization established to promote the paper cutting craft.  He was Past-President and Secretary of the Mohnton Lions Club.  He was also a member of St. John’s, Atonement and Zion Lutheran Churches.

Events:

General Meetings: (1st Tuesday of Month):

March 7, 2023, 7 PM at the Google Works,  check the board for location.

April 4, 2023, 7 PM at the Google Works,  check the board for location.

MMay 2, 2023, 7 PM at the Google Works,  check the board for location.

Please note: if there is a cancellation due to weather, a notice will be placed on the website by 3:00 PM of the day of the event.

Shows:

Spring Show:  Saturday, May 6, 2023  for details and application, please go to the Spring Show Page on the website.

Newsletter:

Counting the days until Spring!

If you would like to put something in the Newsletter, please contact me at info@rbcrafts.org

Newsletter Editor:
Sandra Jones