5-20-2025 4:46am

BMBA's "Sips & Dips" Brings New Faces to Local Businesses

Lesley Misko Editor

by Jane Stahl

Berks Mont Business Association (BMBA) hosted “Sips & Dips,” one of their signature Wine Walks that brought new faces to Studio B Art Gallery’s current show titled “BEARS” featuring the artwork of artists who painted one or more of the Bear Fever sculptures during its 20-year history.

Watching the world go by are Bear Fever's tabletop models. From left is an unpainted bear; Dennis Graber creates them on commission. The late Barbara Strawser's "Summer" and Mike Hale's "Odyssey 2" represent their work.

Top: Gallery Director Susan Biebuyck invites us for a snack. Below: Elizabeth Wagner takes us to the country.

Artwork of the late Sandy Wood, Joe Hoover, Elizabeth Wagner, Bob McGee, and Debbie Spleen line the east wall.

Candy Haas-Simmons' paintings and Linda Rohrbach Austerberry's ceramic work provide color and texture.

Joe Szimhart's eagle captures the sun.

Glasswork of Will Dexter of Taylor Backes joins one of Gail Fronheiser's iconic illustrations, Bob McGee's fox, the late Sue Weller's "Yellow House on West Philadelphia Avenue," and the artwork of Robert Louis Williams and Erin Wade.

(a closer look)

Featured in the photo is the artwork of Lesta Bertoia, Julie Longacre, Robert Louis Williams, Erin Wade, cabbages (top) by Susan Biebuyck and (bottom) Joe Hoover. Mary Chisak's work is featured on the far right; Debbie Spleen's colorful pots add whimsey to the exhibit.

Deborah Meehan's birds are frequent fliers to the studio.

To add to the fun, tourists were encouraged to play Bear Fever bingo.

Replicas of a Bear Fever poster featuring the first 40+ bears that originally appeared in Pottstown’s The Mercury in 2005 were provided to ticket holders.

Businesses and non-profits welcomed tourists and provided unique “dips” along with their “sips” of wine. Preparing "scoops" of the late Vickie Brown's taco dip were embellished with jalapeños on request.