Boyertown's Bear Fever Community Art Project Celebrates 20-year Anniversary

by Jane Stahl

The article regarding recent sightings of  real-life bears in the New Hanover area, the subject of June 9's Top Story in The Expression, included a mention of Studio B Art Gallery's  upcoming art exhibit opening, the start of bear-themed activities planned throughout summer 2025 in collaborations with other businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals. Below is an overview of what's to come that has perhaps attracted those bruins to our area. ~Jane

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Boyertown’s Studio B Art Gallery announces a weekend of activities and offerings Friday, June 27 – Sunday, June 29, 2025, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Boyertown’s Bear Fever community art project. The celebration, featuring additional activities and offerings, will continue throughout July and August 2025 and is funded by The Berks County Community Foundation .

Friday, June 27, 2025
On Friday, June 27, 2025, Studio B Art Gallery hosts an art opening titled “3 Bears,” from 5-7 p.m. featuring a show of works in all mediums from area artists. The exhibit is free and open to the public and will run through August 24, 2025.

Artists were challenged to respond to the meanings of “bear” and “bare” as part of the gallery’s “The Three Bears” summer project. The word “bear” holds many meanings; the homonym “bare” holds many meanings as well. Artists were also encouraged to respond to the Bear Fever sculptures—perhaps the sponsor’s mission or details that the artist displayed on a sculpture. Another suggestion was to respond to an aspect or theme from the fairy tale “Goldilocks & the Three Bears” like “everything in moderation,” “respecting others’ space,” or how actions may hurt others. 

The art opening includes an announcement of the release of a booklet titled Bear Fever—It’s Catching: Bears of Boyertown Chapter #1, being created by Diane O’Sullivan with the assistance of Grace Gibbins, 2025 BASH graduate, featuring 61 Bear Fever sculptures located within Boyertown. The booklet will be for sale and include photographs and information about the community’s Bear Fever sculptures.  Stay tuned for an announcement of its release. 

Folks have been interested in a book of the bears since we began, but we didn’t want to invest in publishing one until the project ends and who knows when that will be! However, we can add to the booklet in future years, and we’ll have a great start toward a book of all of them if the "fever" ever "breaks.!"

In addition,  a Bear Fever Facebook page, initiated by Grace Gibbins, will be announced at the opening. The Bear Fever Facebook page will feature photographs and information about recently-installed bears that are due to be added to the project's website www.bearfever.org.  

Selfies of Bear Fever fans with their favorite Bear Fever bears will be featured on a TV monitor in the window of Studio B, beginning June 27 and continue throughout the summer. As part of the project's mission to engage the greater community, please send your photos to studiob@boyertownpa.org to share your love and be part of the “show!”

Building a Better Boyertown's events coordinator Krista Gross poses with "Bubbles," Alan Macbain's creation sponsored by O'Brien and Gere.

Saturday, June 28, 2025
On Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 11 a.m., Colebrookdale Railroad invites children to StoryTime on the Train. Bear-themed stories will be read by Creative Minds Montessori School’s directors Mandy Hunter Lobaugh and Judy Hunter. A visit from Boyertown’s lovable mascot Bearianne will welcome the children. This is a ticketed event. Participation is limited to 25 children. Tickets for the event are available at Studio B Art Gallery, Building a Better Boyertown office, and the ticket booth at Colebrookdale Railroad. Tickets must be presented in order to participate. Tickets are also good for one free single dip at Colebrookdale Creamery following StoryTime.

Left to right: Judy Hunter and Mandy Hunter Lobaugh look forward to sharing bear-themed stories on one of Colebrookdale Railroad's train cars. 

Following StoryTime, children are invited to join Destiny Bigler, art instructor at Studio B and Boyertown Area School District, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. to a Make ‘n’ Take Art Activity at Studio B Art Gallery.

Sunday, June 29, 2025
On Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 1:00-3:00 p.m., Studio B Art Gallery welcomes writers and the community to a Writers’ Reception. Local writers have submitted poetry and prose responding to meanings of the words “bear” and “bare” or an aspect of a Bear Fever bear or the fairy tale “Goldilocks & the Three Bears.” Their poetry and prose will be published in The Boyertown Area Expression digital news site beginning June 30, 2025. (boyertownareaexpression.town.news)

July and August 2025
Activities for July and August include two StoryWalks®--one walk at Boyertown Community Park during July; the second will have walkers visit Boyertown businesses on Saturday afternoons in August.

Two scavenger hunts offer opportunities to have fun and win prizes. Building a Better Boyertown’s hunters will find 16 bears in town throughout July 2025, using clues on the Player Card and be entered into a raffle for a Grand Prize. A second hunt created by Melanie Roth as a “gift” to community will take folks on a driving tour to find sculptures located out-of-town. Melanie’s tour reprises one she created over a decade ago as an activity during a party she hosted with friends. In updating her original hunt, she invites folks to utilize it at their own parties and gatherings and offer prizes of their own design.

Pokémon GO Fans already know that many of the Bear Fever bears in Boyertown are Pokéstops. They have been spinning stops and fighting at the gyms, gathering items, and catching Pokémon on their walks around town since 2014. For those not familiar with Pokémon GO, an introduction to the game by veteran and world class players will be held at Studio B. Date to be determined.  Plus, all players, experienced and novice players, are invited to Studio B that same day and time to be entered in a raffle for prizes and to meet the Pokémon celebrities.

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Studio B Art Gallery’s “The Three Bears” project includes efforts to engage community members in the theme-of-the-year. The project, funded by a grant from the Berks County Community Foundation, includes a variety of activities, organized by businesses and other non-profits in the community in collaboration with Studio B.

This year’s theme—“The Three Bears”—celebrates the 20th anniversary of Bear Fever, Boyertown’s popular community art project. Twenty years ago, Bear Fever debuted over 30 bear sculptures at Boyertown High School’s annual Arts Expo. During the summer of 2005, those 30+ bear sculptures appeared throughout the community.

Today, the original sculptures are joined by dozens more—over 90 at last count—and more are “in the works.” Apparently, this community is still not even looking for a cure for Bear Fever.

More News from Boyertown

• Berks County Boy on a Quest to Support Wildlife Nature-loving Nicholas "Nico" Muzopappa, in competition to be the next Junior Ranger, pledges to donate $10K to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary to inspire others to feel the love.
• Studio B Art Gallery Showcases Artwork of Bear Fever Artist Will Dexter of Taylor Backes Glass Studio Will Dexter of Taylor Backes Glass Studio offers stunning beauty in glass creations as well as an opportunity to take classes and create your own.