5-29-2024 4:07am

"I AM: Proud": Studio B Art Gallery Invites Community Involvement

Lesley Misko Editor

by Jane Stahl

Funded by a grant from the Boyertown Area Charitable Program administered by Berks County Community Foundation (BCCF), Studio B Art Gallery is gearing up for its annual project celebrating visual and literary art that also includes a variety of efforts to engage community members in the theme-of-the-year.

The theme "I AM: Proud" addresses a serious challenge of our time—in which confronting great cynicism and anxiety, uncertainty and disappointment requires us all to find ways to preserve, protect, and further the courage, honesty, and integrity that bring us enduring pride.

While we are often shy about sharing what we have accomplished for fear of being seen as bragging or of making others feel "less than" somehow, at the same time, we are encouraged not to "hide our light." Our joy and example are often exactly what others need to motivate them or provide "permission" to feel good about themselves.

The gallery will host an Art Opening Reception Friday, June 28 from 5-7pm featuring dozens of local artists in a variety of mediums showcasing work in response to the “I AM: Proud” theme.

Student video: A video created by Boyertown High School 2024 graduate Sarah Campbell will be televised featuring students expressing pride in their activities and accomplishments.

Digital anthology: In addition, for the 11th season, Studio B will publish the poetry and prose submitted by writers in the digital news site: The Boyertown Area Expression. *Previous anthologies are available on Amazon or Lulu Press. Visit www.studiobbb.org for further details.

"Pride and Joy" photographs and articles: In preparation for the June events, the studio is inviting members of the community to submit articles and photographs to showcase their “pride and joy”—what matters to them. Photographs should be sent to studiob@boyertownpa.org. (Include “I AM: Proud” in the subject line.) Photo submissions will run on a loop, televised in the gallery through August 27, 2024.

Articles should be sent to janeEstahl@comcast.net. Articles will be published on The Boyertown Area Expression throughout the summer of 2024 and available on-line at boyertownareaexpression.town.news.

“B Inspired” podcast: A booklet of the episode notes from the “B Inspired” podcast will be published and available featuring the hundreds of people who have shared their life journeys and passions on the podcast. Podcast episodes can be found on a variety of podcast platforms including Spotify, Google, Castbox, Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic, and Apple.

Interviewing people I’ve known for decades always surprises me. As a former high school teacher, I enjoy asking if they thought they’d be doing what they’re doing when they were planning their futures in high school. Most say "Definitely not!"

I’ve learned fun things about the "artistic journeys" of those I've interviewed during our conversations. I’m glad to have captured our beloved Marianne Deery before she left us. Hearing about the research that takes Laura Frecon all over the world in her role as costume designer for the stars was eye-opening.

And who knew our current Mayor Lori Carnes is Boyertown’s own Storage Wars queen! I loved learning about the many seasons of cake baking that keep Mary from Dice’s Cakes inspired and was thrilled during a breathtaking visit to Martin Stone Quarry with Rod Martin to appreciate the processes involved in providing stone for our landscaping projects, ballfields, and road construction.

The Boyertown Community Library will host a self-discovery/community-building artistic activity for all ages entitled “Flowers in Bloom with Studio B” beginning Saturday, June 29th. Participants will create flower petals representing themselves using magazines, markers, construction paper and more to show their “pride and joy.” Registration is required: bit.ly/m/BCLSummerQuest24 The library project will be on-going during the summer and the participants’ creations will be on exhibit at the library.

On Sunday, June 30th from 1-3pm, the gallery will host an in-person Writers’ Reception and Reading in which writers who submitted articles published in The Boyertown Area Expression will be invited to read their work and share their inspirations.

Boyertown’s Heroes: Articles about individuals and groups featured in the General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum written by historian and educator Margaret Harner will be published in The Boyertown Area Expression.

When Margaret gives tours of the museum, she points out little-known information about the many ways Boyertown’s citizens contributed to the war effort. The community has so much to be proud of, and Margaret has an engaging way of story-telling.

The "I AM: Proud" project is funded by a grant from the Boyertown Area Charitable Program administered by Berks County Community Foundation (BCCF). BCCF has been an important partner in funding projects facilitated by Studio B Art Gallery throughout its 15-year history.

Providing “space” of one kind or another for the community to share has been integral to each of the annual Studio B Art Gallery programs the Boyertown Area Charitable Program has funded in its community-building efforts and matches both the studio’s mission of seeking to be a dynamic part of Boyertown community, a “go to” destination for learning, fun and friendship and The Boyertown Area Expression’s mission to share information about the Boyertown area’s people, events, and opportunities.

All events are free and open to the public.