President’s Message
We are another month closer to Spring and that means our Spring Show is approaching fast. Did you send in your application? Our new show chairperson for our Spring Show is Paul Vezzetti. Let us welcome Paul into his new position and make it a fantastic Spring Show.
Diane Phalen, our Standards Chairperson, and her team are excited about our first jury session for 2026 which is Tuesday, March 3 before our general meeting at the GoggleWorks.
Another great event for our Guild is on March 28. It is “Easter on the Farm” at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center in Kutztown, PA from 11 AM to 4 PM. Come out and join us as a vendor and/or bring the family and learn about the Pennsylvania German culture. The Heritage Center is located at 15155 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, PA. 19530. Call 610-683-1589 or email at heritage@kutztown.edu for information.
Also in March, Paula Conrow, our Education Chairperson, and her team will be judging art produced by Berks County High School students at the 2026 BCIU Secondary Art Show at the GoggleWorks. This is where we, The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen, present our Stanley Seltz Student Awards. This fantastic art exhibit is on display from March 27 through April 14, 2026. There is a lot going on in March!!!!
2026 is an election year for officers for The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen. Some of our long term officers are stepping down at the end of this year. This will be my last year as President, but I will be serving another year with our new President in 2027. During my years as President of The Reading-Berks Guild, you have become like family to me. I am not going away, and I will continue to be part of the future of our Guild. Kay will not be running again for the secretary’s position. She will retain her appointed position with BCTV in the future, and she remains dedicated to our Guild as well.
Just a reminder, keep your membership up to date.
INCLEMENT WEATHER ALERT
Please note if our general meeting at the GoggleWorks is being cancelled because of bad weather, you will receive an email by approximately 1:00 PM the day of the meeting. Also, the board meeting ahead of the general meeting will be conducted through Zoom in the case of general meeting cancellation.
”You make a life out of what you have, not what you’re missing.” Kate Morton
Your President,
Barry L. Bennecoff
Programs
Spring is almost here! On March 3, 2026, we will be joined by Kathi Ember, a professional artist/illustrator for over 40 years including trade and mass market children’s picture book industry. She has painted several murals, including one based on Alice in Wonderland for The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts in Bethlehem. Join us at 7 pm at the GoggleWorks in Room 238 to meet Kathi, hear her story, and see her wonderful pieces.
Join us for the April 7, 2026 general meeting and mini-grant drawing at 7 pm at the GoogleWorks in room 238. After the meeting, we will head downstairs to the Cohen Gallery to view the BCIU’s Secondary Art Show. This show features students from all 18 Berks County school districts. Get ready to delve into the minds of teenagers. Their work is beautiful, thought-provoking, and insightful.
Program Chair,
Amy Langman
programs@rbcrafts.org
Spring Fine Art & Crafts Festival
News about our Spring Fine Arts &Craft Festival has been posted on our website as well on the Guild’s Facebook and Instagram sites. It is now less than 90 days to the show which is Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 9AM to 3PM at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market. Applications are available on line until April 13th.
Take advantage of the guild’s website and print out postcards to give to friends and display at your frequently visited places.
Print 4 Post Cards
Print 8 1/2 X 11 Flyer
Print 11 X 17 Tabloid Flyer
Remember: this is an outdoor show, under a roof, but anything can happen. We are, however, planning for sunshine and good sales.
Spring Show Chair,
Paul Vezzetti
festivals@rbcrafts.org
Social Media
The Social media team is now gearing up to create weekly postings on our Reading-Berks Facebook and Instagram pages for promotion of your artwork in the form of pictures and descriptions of your works. Starting the week of February 23rd, you will see postings of artists who will be in the May show.
The best way to be able to get your craft known is to show others how amazing your work is. For both those who are in the Guild and those who are just trying out our incredibly inexpensive May show, we need your pictures! Send your pictures today!
Our show is on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 9 AM to 3 PM at the Renninger’s Farmers’ Market. Mark your crafting calendar!
If you have not already applied to our show, you can ONLY do this through our website, so enter today
Also, be sure to send in your updated images so we can highlight your work for this show and let folks know about your amazing works!
Send to images@rbcrafts.org
Gary Rosborough,
Social Media Chair
social-media@rbcrafts.org
BCTV
”Your Berks Craftsmen” on March 18, 2026 will feature artists and craftsmen who will be doing our Spring Show at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This is a great way to get the word out about our Spring Show and tantalize our viewing audience with your newest creations. Artists and Craftsmen, tell your friends and customers to tune in on Channel 15 on Comcast or watch on BCTV.org.
Find BCTV on air and online:
Comcast Reading Channel 15
Comcast-Southern Berks Channel 965
Service Electric Channel 19
Both channels are streaming online 24-7 at www.bctv.org
BCTV is available on Roku, search for BCTV Berks – HOW TO VIDEO You Tube Channel
Access Your Berks Craftsmen directly.
Your Host of “Your Berks Craftsmen”,
Kay L. Bennecoff
Standards
The next jury session for new members will be on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in room 325 at the Google works. If interested in being juried, you must be a member of the Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen for at least 3 months prior to the jury date. You can apply on-line. You may also reach out to the Standards committee for more information. Applying applicants must arrive to set up at 5:30 pm. The Jury session starts promptly at 6:00pm and you must be completely set up at that time. Applicants will receive reminder emails one week prior to jury session. The Jury committee will receive reminder emails also one week prior to Jury Session.
Please remember that your work must be original work with no copies of another’s work, commercial kits, assemblages or patterns. Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen standards include excellence in craftsmanship, well resolved design, and a unique voice or style.
Standards Chairperson,
Diane Phalen
standards@rbcrafts.org
Membership
Another Sunday storm has allow me to make more products to sell in the springtime. I’m hoping you too are taking advantage of this opportunity to gear up for our Spring show.
Membership count for our guild is165 members. We all have different skills, but as a group, we are the largest and strongest in the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen.
There are many benefits of membership. We are blessed to enjoy the many opportunities to connect with creators and collectors of fine arts and crafts through all of our special programs and events.
Hoping to see you at the Spring Show!
Membership Chairperson,
John Paul Warren
membership@rbcrafts.org
Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen
The Pennsylvania Guild Fall Fine Craft Fair has new dates! October 24-25, 2026. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2026; however, applications will be accepted as late as April 15, 2026, but will incur an additional fee. The application website contains detailed information.
The Guild offers 2026 Fine Craft as a Business workshops.
Upcoming is “How to Launch a Craft Business, 2026 Version” on Saturday, October 17, 2026 – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
This workshop is specially designed for crafts people who want to start a craft business or ensure their current business is set up properly and follows the best practices for legality, insurance coverage, tax payments, etc. Also, learn about sales channels, copyrights, and much more.
In person and Zoom. $10 for members.
Sign up for emails from your SCORE office. Many offer free or low cost workshops via Zoom and in person.
Understanding social media best practices is important and Donna Botti of Delos Inc., a presenter at a few Fine Craft as a Business workshops, offers weekly emails of her podcasts. As Instagram and Facebook change things seemingly on the fly, these podcasts are very up-to-date. Beginning with Episode 430 through 434 there are great tips for your online presence.
Lehigh University Small Business Development Center offers in-person and Zoom workshops to support your fine art and craft business.
PGC – Reading-Berks Guild Representative,
Denise Wilz
210-260-1133
Denise@wilzpottery.com
Open Guild Positions
Are you passionate about fine craftsmanship and interested in helping guide the future of our Guild? We are currently seeking nominations for several upcoming openings on our Board of Directors. Elections will be held in November, and nominations should be submitted by the regular October meeting.
Serving on the Board is a meaningful way to support the Guild’s mission, contribute your ideas, and help sustain our long tradition of excellence in fine craft. Board members provide leadership, stewardship, and direction for our programs and activities.
The following positions are open for nomination along with a brief job description:
- President – presides over meetings, appoints committee chairpersons, directs Guild activities, and serves as an ex-officio member of all committees.
Note: The Past President-serves one year on the Executive Committee to support the incoming President and ensure a smooth transition. - Treasurer – manages Guild funds and provides financial reports at each meeting of the Guild
- Recording Secretary – records and distributes minutes of all Executive Committee meetings and records and reads minutes of all general meetings at general meetings
We welcome nominations of members who are committed, dependable, and enthusiastic about supporting the Guild. Prior board experience is helpful but not required.
We encourage you to consider how you—or a fellow member—can help support and shape the future of our Guild. If you would like to nominate yourself or another member, please reach out to me.
Nominating Committee Chair,
Bill Kassel
bill@bill-kassel.com
Events
Did you apply for a Reading-Berks Guild mini-grant to support your craft or continue your education? You can’t win if you don’t apply, so apply today! Winners will be drawn at the April 7, 2026 meeting. You can submit your application before the meeting begins. You MUST be present to receive one of the four mini-grants.
The Hellertown Historical Society in Hellertown, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, is seeking craftspeople specializing in Pennsylvania German crafts of the 18th and 19th centuries. They invite experienced craftspeople to their annual Heritage Day event on May 16, 2026, at the 1761 Heller-Wagner Grist Mill Complex, a site recently added to America’s National Register of Historic Places. The event is being expanded this year in honor of America’s semiquincentennial celebration. They are interested in craftspeople who demonstrate and interpret their specialty and appear in period attire. They will provide space at no charge; product sales are encouraged with the full sale price retained by the seller. For more information, please contact Dennis Scholl, HHS Education & Research Chair, at dscholl165@gmail.com or 484-379-7974.
Newsletter
If you would like to put something in the Newsletter, please contact us at newsletter@rbcrafts.org
Newsletter Editor, Nancy Vardjan