Studio B Fine Art Gallery Awarded Grant for Summer Project "In Service"

by Jane Stahl

Studio B Fine Art Gallery, Boyertown, PA, announces a grant award of $9,575 provided by the Marlene L. Driscoll Fund of Berks County Community Foundation for a project entitled “In Service” planned for summer 2026.

“Everybody has stories of times when someone offered to help them or when we provided some kind of service to another,” notes Jane Stahl, Studio B’s Director of Community Relations. “Studio B’s theme for the summer, titled ‘In Service,’ will provide opportunities to respond to the generosity we experience from our friends and neighbors, acknowledge a spirit of compassion and sacrifice within our community, and perhaps applaud those who have provided service in small or grand ways.

“It is my hope that the project will highlight the many kindnesses we offer to each other, demonstrating how important we are to one another and perhaps healing some of the divisiveness that exists in the world today. Sharing our stories will be uplifting and help achieve our community’s mission to ‘build a better Boyertown,” Stahl continued.

“Sometimes the service is widely known and provided to others. Those in the military, fire fighters, police, doctors, nurses, teachers, or EMT’s are examples of those whose lives are dedicated to serving others.

“Yet sometimes service comes as a small gesture—one that would seem insignificant or invisible or forgotten--but one that made a ‘world of difference’ at the time. I am always inspired witnessing and experiencing what William Wordsworth describes in his poem known as ‘Tintern Abbey’ as "little, nameless, unremembered acts/Of kindness and of love.” Wordsworth finds that these acts inspire a "blessed mood…/In which the heavy and the weary weight/Of all this unintelligible world,/Is lightened."

“‘In Service’ will shine a light on these countless acts and inspire us all to celebrate one another’s loving acts and offer more of them,” Stahl concludes.

The project will include a fine art exhibit; publication of poetry, prose, and art responding to the theme on the digital news site The Boyertown Area Expression; and a host of community activities beginning June 26. The project concludes August 23, 2026.

The fine art exhibit opening will be held June 26, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at Studio B Art Gallery, 39A E Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown, PA. (In-take of art will take place June 23, 2026.)

Poetry and prose submissions will be shared in The Expression throughout the summer of 2026 and during a writer’s reception and reading on June 28, 2026.

(Writers and artists interested in having their work published should submit 1-2 pieces of prose, poetry or art to janeEstahl@comcast.net by May 1, 2026. Writers and artists are asked to include a 2-3 sentence bio along with their submissions.)

Plans include invitations to families to share stories of family members who served in the military during ticketed tours of the General Spaatz Museum; StoryWalks®, created by the Boyertown Area Community Library, featuring service as a theme. Community members will be invited to share selfies with those whose service made a difference in their lives. Selfies will be showcased in a loop on a TV screen in Studio B’s window throughout the summer.

“Plus, we’ll try to capture community members on the street or at events to invite them to share their stories on video reels with members of Studio B and Building a Better Boyertown throughout spring and early summer. The reels will appear on Studio B’s website or Facebook page,” Stahl added. “So, we hope that our community members will begin thinking of those moments of service and be willing to share their stories with us.”

“I’m also hoping that other individuals, organizations, non-profits, and businesses will find ways to participate in our celebration of the service we provide one another; I’m always amazed at the creativity our community demonstrates in these kinds of challenges.”

Activities under consideration include art lessons to create illustrations, portraits, or promotional material featuring types of service offered by community members including children and adults, veterans, business owners, social and civic group members; organizing a StoryTime at the Spaatz Museum to feature benefits of serving others; hosting a book discussion group featuring service to others; publishing testimonials about businesses and individuals who offer services that nurture and assist including funeral directors, beauty salons, first responders, home and childcare workers, for example.

Inviting students and staff of Boyertown Area School District to participate in interviews for articles, podcast episodes and create their own "productions" will broaden understanding and appreciation of the many methods and examples of service generated throughout the greater learning community and inspire others.

If you are interested in helping to facilitate any activities that highlight the theme or if you’d like to participate as a guest on a ‘B Inspired” podcast episode or an article in The Boyertown Area Expression digital news site, please contact me: janeEstahl@comcast.net.

These types of art activities, literary readings, and book discussions introduce artists and writers to the community and to one another. Their unique ideas and perspectives help us all to learn about others, try on different ways to look at the world, and provide community-building opportunities while enhancing cultural literacy.

Discussions that become “B Inspired” podcast episodes and feature articles created for The Expression become part of the community's history and available for sharing which broadens the community’s understanding and appreciation of their shared values and traditions, habits, preferences, styles, as well as the impact of others' experiences on their own lives.

Studio B
Studio B is a fine art gallery that offers support, promotional opportunities, and creative activities to artists, writers, community members, students, school personnel, businesses, and organizations. In hosting events and activities in art, writing, and history and in participating in cultural, educational, and business activities and events hosted by other organizations, the studio seeks to assist in building a stronger, more unified community.

Berks County Community Foundation
The Berks County Community Foundation has been an important partner throughout Studio B Art Gallery’s 17-year history. Including other individuals, non-profits, businesses, and organizations within the community to involve as many families and individuals as possible has been integral to the annual projects and matches the studio’s mission of seeking to be a dynamic part of Boyertown community, a “go to” destination for learning, fun and friendship.

The mission of Berks County Community Foundation is to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County. Since 1994,  work made possible by generous donations from people and donors who created funds to give back in perpetuity. These funds have provided millions of dollars in scholarships and grants to support the Berks County community. www.facebook.com/berkscountycommunityfoundation/

Marlene L. Driscoll
Marlene L. Driscoll, who lived in Boyertown for 65 years and died at the age of 85 in November 2019, left almost $1.5 million dollars to the Berks County Community Foundation to establish a fund in her name. Ms. Driscoll’s decision was made to support projects that benefit the Boyertown area.

Born in Glen Burnie, Maryland, Ms. Driscoll moved to Boyertown when she married barber Bob Driscoll; she held jobs at the National Penn Bank, the Limerick Power Plant, and Gross Equipment Company. I love the connection, knowing that Ms. Driscoll worked for my uncle Bill Gross.

Ms. Driscoll was well-known in the area for her affiliation with Faith Chapter #444 Order of the Eastern Star and a past officer in Order of the Amaranth #113 of Pottstown. “[Her] legacy will help to support organizations and initiatives that brighten the lives of local residents,” said Heidi Williamson, former senior vice president for programs and initiatives with the Berks County Community Foundation. “Gants from the endowment she created will support important causes in the Boyertown area now and long into the future. She’s truly left an everlasting gift to her community.”

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