Studio B Art Gallery Receives Grant Award from the Boyertown Area Charitable Program of the Berks County Community Foundation

Boyertown’s Studio B Art Gallery announced a grant award from the Boyertown Area Charitable Program of the Berks County Community Foundation to fund an art exhibit; book of poetry, prose and art; and assorted community activities scheduled for June-August 2023, entitled “Legacy: Remembrance Matters.”

For the past 10 years, the gallery has combined visual and literary art in an art exhibit featuring local artists and in the release of a book of the poetry, prose, and art of local writers and artists. In addition to the art exhibit and anthology, Studio B will invite participation from the community in a variety of activities.

The Boyertown Area Charitable Program of the Berks County Community Foundation has funded assorted projects facilitated by Studio B Art Gallery throughout its 14-year history. Including other non-profits and organizations within the community to involve as many families and individuals as possible has been integral to each of the programs the Program has funded and matches the studio’s mission of seeking to be a dynamic part of Boyertown community, a “go to” destination for learning, fun and friendship.

The theme of “Legacy” addresses what is said to be the greatest longing of the human spirit: to be remembered. Leaving a legacy is considered a mark of a self-actualized life. And so, this year’s project will provide opportunities to clarify how individuals want to be remembered and to develop plans to memorialize their contributions.

Often, leaving a “legacy” means university buildings or libraries or bridges or stadiums that have been named after people. Big things. But more often than not, the legacies we leave as memorials—remembrances—are lots of everyday things, activities, or habits.

Chances are, of course, that different folks will remember a person differently. Some will remember all the less smart things that were said or done. Others may recall some kindnesses or generous gestures. Few will know the intentions behind the gestures. And none will know the hopes for remembrance unless they are shared.

The Call to Writers and Artists invites writers and artists to share in poetry, prose, or art the memories or things or efforts that they will leave behind that represent how they hope they are remembered, to consider what will be their most important legacy or consider their communities’ legacies—family, local, state, national, global—that have played a part in how they have lived, in what they believe and value and what has been left behind for them.

It is also said that "To know you is to love you!" And so, the activities designed for sharing offer an understanding of the values, life goals and ways the artists', writers', and community members are "making a difference" in the lives of their families and communities.

It is hoped that sharing future plans as well as recalling the legacies of those in Boyertown's history that have influenced their lives will further the community’s cohesiveness and moments of healing, peace and calm—providing time to refresh and re-energize.

It is hoped that the activities will provide what author William Faulkner noted in his Nobel Prize acceptance speech—the "prop[s]” and “pillar[s]" for sagging spirits, much needed "light" in troubling, "dark" times. And, in bringing together members of the community to share, it is hoped that as the late pundit Andy Rooney offered, "the right example at the right moment can make all the difference in the way men act.” Or, more simply: "Exemplum docet": example teaches.

Activities

Planned opportunities include writing, literature, and art workshops open to students and adults encouraging participants to clarify and express in writing or art their life's goals and potential legacies and how the legacies of others have impacted their lives; hosting poetry/prose readings, meet-the-authors events, and book talks or signings by local writers and community members.

In addition, hosting conversations with community members to encourage sharing details about the history of Boyertown and the enduring legacies of the individuals and families who lived and worked in the area; partnering with The Boyertown Area Expression, a digital newspaper, to feature community members--past and present--whose lives and accomplishments add to their own and the Boyertown area's proud legacy; recording "B Inspired" audio podcasts with artists, writers, students, and community members to encourage the sharing of legacies and life goals, methods of creating them and sharing the legacies of others that have inspired them and made a difference in their lives or the life of the community; facilitating the studio’s a second event modeled on Denmark’s “The Human Library" in which presenters share their “life story” and discuss their legacy one-on-one with attendees.

Partners
The Boyertown Area Historical Society will be a source for some of Studio B’s activities involving the history of Boyertown and the enduring legacies of the individuals and families who lived and worked in the area. The Boyertown Area Community Library will be the source of books and information about individuals who write memoirs and be invited as a collaborator in book talks, book signing sessions and writers’ receptions. Members of Boyertown’s civic organizations--the Rotary Club and Lions Club, for example--will be invited to Studio B's sharing activities to recall and recount the legacies of their organizations and the people involved.

***********
Call to Writers and Artists

Studio B’s 10th book of poetry, prose, and art titled “Legacies: Remembrance Matters” is an invitation to explore what “remains.”
In personal terms: It is said that the greatest longing in the human soul is to be remembered. And so, how do you want folks to remember you? What you will leave behind? Will your legacy be in the stories folks tell about you, the memories they savor? Perhaps there are things—inheritances, artifacts, homes or businesses—or habits and traditions—that will be part of what you hope to leave behind.

In addition, communities leave their marks, their legacies on individuals and families. Communities include families, hometowns, nations, the world. Consider the legacies of the communities in your life that have etched their marks, laid foundations, and left expectations for us to honor and to further the missions they set.

Share—in poetry or prose—memories or things or efforts that you will leave behind that represent how you hope you are remembered. Consider what will be your most important legacy? And/Or, consider your communities’ legacies—family, local, state, national, global—that have played a part in how you have lived, in what you believe and value. What has been left behind for you?

Submit: Please submit 1-2 pieces of poetry or prose for Studio B’s 10th book of poetry and prose: by March 1, 2023. Please send Word docx to janeEstahl@comcast.net. There is no submission charge to writers. Visual art is also welcome in files 1MB at 300 dpi for use in the book. Include a 2-3 sentence bio along with your submissions.

Dates: A book release will be held at the opening of a themed fine art exhibit “Legacy” scheduled for June 23, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. at Studio B Art Gallery, 39A E Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown, PA. After June 23, 2023, books will be for sale at the studio or can be ordered on-line at www.studiobbb.org. Payment can be made on the website at the “Donate” button. Visit Studio B Art Gallery on Facebook for any updates.

Previous anthology titles:  Agony and Ecstasy: Reflections Inspired by Our Lives; Layers of Language: Idioms and Favorite Expressions; To Be: Know Thyself, You Do You; Muse: The Inspirations of Our Lives; Let’s Rant: Challenges, Tempests, and Petty Annoyances; Wabi-sabi: Celebrating Simple Beauty; Superheroes: What the World Needs Now; My Favorite Things: Beauties Are Joys Forever; Transforming Moment:Finding Our Voice

More News from Boyertown

• Annual Multi-Service Tree Festival Dazzles with Holiday Spirit Multi Service event brings holiday cheer for a good cause.
• A Pictorial Tour Through the History of Boyertown: Main Street Businesses page 33 Main Street--page 33