Scheduling Conflict Forces Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen to Cancel 13th Annual Spring Juried Fine Arts and Crafts Show March 28 and 29; Holiday Show Will be Held Oct.31/Nov. 1
The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen has announced that—due to an unanticipated scheduling conflict—it will have to cancel its 13th Annual Spring Juried Fine Arts and Crafts Festival at Kutztown University on March 28 and 29, 2015.
However, Show Chairman Terry Boyer said that the 66th Annual Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will be held as planned on Sat., Oct. 31 and Sun., Nov 1, 2015 at the university’s O’Pake Field house (312 Trexler Ave., Kutztown, PA 19530).
“We sincerely regret canceling the spring show, something we have never had to do since we held our first show in 1949. We are equally upset because this year is the Guild’s 70th anniversary,” said Boyer.
“The upside is that we will have an opportunity to make the fall holiday event an even bigger one,” Boyer stressed.
Boyer expects more than 100 artisans to participate in the 66th holiday show where visitors can see or buy museum quality examples of contemporary and traditional work, including Pennsylvania folk art, produced by members of the Reading-Berks Guild and other juried craftsmen, who are members of the Pennsylvania Guild. Kutztown University and other college art students will also display and sell their work; the Guild has offered free space and mentoring to students for the last 11 years.
The show is again being held in partnership with the university and the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown.
President Barry Bennecoff said, “Our Guild is the largest chapter in the Pennsylvania Guild. We are dedicated to displaying the diversity of fine crafts and talent from Berks County and beyond. Our members have earned a global reputation for their work. And we are pleased to be able to showcase the work of students who will continue our traditions,” Bennecoff said.
Founded in 1945, the Reading Chapter has a four-fold mission: To promote and protect the interests of the craftsman; to encourage the study and practice of handcrafts; to uphold the best of traditional and contemporary crafts; and to maintain standards of excellence in design and technique. Membership is open to anyone.
In addition to its spring and holiday craft shows each year, the guild has a monthly show on Berks Community Television (BCTV), publishes a newsletter, hosts an annual student awards program with monetary awards for Berks County high school seniors, and disburses annual grants to members for educational use. The Guild donates yearly to BCTV and the Kutztown University Scholarship fund. It also participates in the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center’s Easter-on-the-Farm, Heemet Fescht and Christmas-on-the-Farm events.
For the latest news, visit the website www.rbcrafts.org or call 610-678-6650.
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