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"Red Ball" encaustic by Kristen T. Woodward
by Jane Stahl
Yesterday I submitted the final report for Studio B’s “The Three Bears” summer project, a project funded by Berks County Community Foundation that celebrated the 20th anniversary of Bear Fever and which provided opportunities for community participation throughout the summer. Businesses, individuals, and non-profits created ways to participate in and connect with the project.
Months ago, I figured that by September folks would be tired of hearing about bears. Perhaps that’s true. I wouldn’t blame them! And yet, Bear Fever continues; more sculptures have been ordered recently or are in the hands of artists. Apparently, the community is not even looking for a cure!
Meanwhile, it’s been very satisfying for those of us at Studio B. Over 30 local artists took the challenge that asked them to represent the multiple meanings of “bear” and “bare.” We are always amazed at the mix of styles and mediums artists employ to share their vision.
We showcased lots of bears in assorted styles.
"Bearly There" mono print by Deborah Hamburger
"Nigel, Nancy, Nestor & Nourit--DEI Bear" mixed media by Kathryn Morgan
"Letter B" ink on paper by Jim Meehan
"Barely Spring" acrylic by Jenny Montes
"Grizzly Path" acrylic by Bob McGee
And we had lots of “bare”—including juror Paul Stahl’s sketch created over 50 years ago during a college figure drawing class.
"Baring It All" charcoal by Paul Stahl
"Totally Bare" photograph by Hector Zelidon
"Night & Day" art quilt by Martha Ressler
We enjoyed the seemingly “bare” in the fun and funny “Calendar Girls” calendar project that Debbie Spleen coordinated as a fundraiser for the Boyertown Senior Center’s activities fund.
"August" photograph by Beth Hussar
Community members submitted selfies with their favorite bears that could be viewed 24/7 in Studio B’s window.
Our writers submitted poetry and prose to be published in The Boyertown Area Expression digital news site (boyertownareaexpression.town.news) for our subscribers to enjoy. They, too, accepted the challenge, presenting work about actual “bears” they have met or imagined or reflected on “bearing” tough times of many sorts. One Sunday, writers enjoyed an afternoon poetry/prose reading and reception--a chance to share their work and connect with other writers.
Kathy Kirk shares her poetry with fellow writers
Colebrookdale Railroad hosted children for a StoryTime on the Train with Mandy Lobaugh and Judy Hunter from Creative Minds Montessori School. The children were remarkably attentive during the StoryTime, according to their parents, and the children enjoyed an Ice cream treat in the train yard at the conclusion of the event.
Above: Judy Hunter and Many Lobaugh engaged their young audience with bear-themed stories. Below: Morgan Weller enjoys her ice cream after StoryTime on the Train.
Following StoryTime, art Instructor Destiny Bigler invited children to Studio B to Build a Bear.
Build-a-Bear activity showcased creativity of young artists.
Throughout July, community members took to Boyertown’s sidewalks for the scavenger hunt for in-town bears, sponsored by Building a Better Boyertown (BaBB) and Randy Renninger.
Randy invited gamers to Pokémon Go; Bear Fever bears are poke stops or gyms.
On their own time, members of the community--on their own or as a competition among family and friends-- hunted out-of-town bears utilizing the Bear (Fever) Hunting License, The hunt was created by community leader Melanie Roth, the brochure, by Paul Stahl.
Stellar House Gift Shop and Everything Printing provided postcards and stamps for folks to create their own artful cards by visiting participating businesses.
The Boyertown Community Library installed a StoryWalk® in the park in July and coordinated with BaBB for an in-town StoryWalk® around Boyertown in August.
A Bear Fever Facebook page appeared thanks to volunteer extraordinaire Maddie Bowman who just wondered why the project didn’t have one and then proceeded to create a robust one that quickly attracted hundreds of followers.
Someday soon the Bear Fever website www.bearfever.org will be updated as Bear Fever's newest partner Diane O’Sullivan learns the site’s protocol and recovers from writing and editing Chapter #1 of the booklet “Bear Fever: It’s Catching.”
And speaking of the Bear Fever booklet, Diane spent months reading, researching, interviewing, writing, and taking photos of the 61 in-town Bear Fever bears, their artists and sponsors. Her book launch was held at Chestnut Knoll where her mother spent her last days, curious and eager to learn “What’s with all the bears?” The first printing of the booklet sold out within 24 hours, requiring a second printing. Booklets are again available for purchase at Chestnut Knoll, Building a Better Boyertown office, and Studio B Art Gallery. ($20 cash or check; $25 credit card)
Diane was aided by Boyertown High School's 2025 graduate Grace Gibbins. Diane’s plan for Chapter #2 featuring the out-of-town bears is planned for summer 2026. Stay tuned.
We’ve had a very busy—and very satisfying—summer celebrating 20 years of Bear Fever. And we thank all the folks who celebrated with us—in many cases volunteering and donating their unique talents and skills to make our celebration a resounding success.
Bear Fever’s mission--to develop greater community cohesiveness through a unique artistic project—has certainly been met, as always, because this community—in so many ways, in so many projects, big or small—lives its brand as a very special kind of place.
Moving on...
Please welcome artists at Studio B Art Gallery tonight (August 29, 2025) for the art opening of "LIFE"--from 5-7 p.m.--an exhibit of fine art in all mediums celebrating life in all its beautiful and challenging forms.
More News from Boyertown
- A Flower, a Friend, and a Connection From Beyond A memorial plant becomes a bridge between grief and friendship, teaching lessons in care, patience, and connection.
- The Natural World Bears "Delights" for Heather E. Goodman Studio B's "The Three Bears" project included an invitation to writers to respond to the theme.
