6-28-2023 4:23am

"All Over But the Shouting": Studio B Announces Award Winners in "Legacy" Exhibit and Anthology

Lesley Misko Editor

by Jane Stahl

Studio B Art Gallery awarded prizes to artists and writers who exhibited art in the show and submitted poetry or prose to the book anthology.

Juror for the art prizes was Ellen Martignetti, Building a Better Boyertown's Main Street Manager, who holds a degree in interior design. Prizes for the art awards were sponsored by Bob Wood, teacher, writer, artist, historian. and Studio B's gallery adjunct.

"Best in Show" was awarded to Barbara Post for her collage "Lucinda's Philosophy," inspired by a poem featuring a character named Lucinda Matlock from Edgar Lee Master's Spoon River Anthology. Lucinda charges "sons and daughters" who complain of "sorrow and weariness, anger, discontent, and drooping hopes" that "It takes Life to love Life."

Awards of Artistic Excellence were given to Caren Cornman for her collage "Wheelbarrow for Tiffany," Lynn Millar for her watercolor "Carey Gulley Vineyard," and Barbara Post for her collage "A Gathering of Artists."

Caren Cornman's "Wheelbarrow for Tiffany " was inspired by a poem by William Carlos Williams: "So much depends upon a red wheelbarrow glazed with rainwater beside the white chickens."

"Carey Gulley Vineyard" showcases Lynn's skillful composition and command of the challenging medium.

Barbara Post's "A Gathering of Artists" features self-portraits of each of the artists represented.

A Curator's Choice award was given to Marilyn Basehoar for her collage "Granny" by Bob Hakun who installed the exhibit.

Juror for the writing awards was Susan LeClair. Prizes for the writing awards were sponsored by Lesley Misko. Both Susan and Lesley are retired English teachers.

Susan named Phil Repko's poems "The Legacy Chair" and "Augury: In Invocation" as Best in Show. Memories of family are inspired by familiar objects in "The Legacy Chair."

In "Augury: An Invocation" he finds himself "weepy with the ignorance/Of all that I will never breathe/Because I have appointment/ With the limits of my life."

Also awarded were Heather Goodman for her essay “Save the Dirt" that memorializes the thrifty nature of her grandmother whom she loved. Vicki Haller-Graff brought humor in her monologue “Obitu-WOW-y." Kathryn Keegan was awarded for her elegiac poem “Legacy," a longing for remembrance.

Co-editor of the anthology Mish Murphy, who traveled for the second year from her home in Florida to attend the opening reception and book launch, chose one poem and one prose submission for Editor's Choice awards. Mish selected Marilyn Basehoar's poem "She" that paid tribute to her grandmother's character.

Mish chose Rachael Ikin's memoir "Beneath the Makeup: Memoir of a Small Town" that presented an idyllic picture of her small-town, a small town that hid its dark, soul-destroying features.

A poetry reading and writers reception will be held Sunday, July 9, 2023, from 1-3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Writers will be welcome to read the work they submitted to the "Legacy" anthology and bring other books of their work to "show and sell."

Henny Faire's fragrance artist Erica Vinskie will share an array of over a dozen accords, offering an explanation of the powerful connection between scent and memory and allowing samplings of accords she's created such as "just mown grass," "grandma's apple pie," "after a spring rain," and"drunk uncle."

Erica offers opportunities for individuals to create their signature fragrance in private sessions or group workshops. A workshop is scheduled on Friday, August 18, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. at Studio B as part of the "Legacy" experience. Three seats for the workshop were sponsored in a raffle by Ingrid Weil of Ironhorse Realty; winning raffle tickets were drawn following the opening by Erica. Winners of the sponsored seats are Marilyn Basehoar, Kathy Kirk, and Nancy Yeager. Additional seats for the workshop are $60. Contact Erica to secure a seat for the workshop: erica@hennyfaire.com or call 484-885-4569.

Studio B Art Gallery invites visitors during its regular hours: Saturdays and Sundays 12-2 p.m. or by making special arrangements through Jane Stahl janeEstahl@comcast.net.