jane's blog

2009-04-09T09:32:00.000-07:00

Volunteers Needed!

2009-04-09T09:28:00.001-07:00

Please volunteer a few hours a month to "sit the studio." Contact Angie to offer your time: angelan@temple.edu on Fridays from 5-7 or Saturdays 11-3.

Join Us!

2009-04-09T09:10:00.001-07:00

Consider joining our Arts and Activities Alliance committee. We meet the last Monday of each month at Studio B at 7:00 p.m.

We've got a lot going. Exciting news to share at our next meeting includes a mural project, a collaboration with Greshville Antiques and Fine Art, and updates about coming shows and summertime activities at the studio.

We're looking forward to Terra Firma, Clay on Main at Studio B, Linda Austerberry and Bob Bitts, a Dave Larson Retrospective, Art Splash, a small works show...and lots more.

Many Natural Talents Displayed

2009-04-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

An amazing variety of media are part of our student show!

Meet Our Members: Couldn't Do It without Ya!

2009-04-09T09:03:00.000-07:00

Angela Namowicz (left), jewelry artist and teacher at Studio B, and Carrie Keplinger organize volunteers and assist in mounting exhibits and staffing the studio.

A Great Time for All

2009-04-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

Natural Talents Exhibit Closes April 14, 2009

2009-04-09T07:57:00.001-07:00

Directors Chat at Opening

2009-04-09T07:53:00.001-07:00

Amanda Condict (center), Director of Education at Studio B; Susan Biebuyck (left), Gallery Director; and volunteer C. Anne Benfield share their enthusiasm with one another during the opening of "Natural Talents" which attracted wall-to-wall art lovers, students and their parents.

Best in Show: Amy Kline, senior, Boyertown High School

2009-04-09T07:43:00.000-07:00

Jurors Peg and Glen Spiers chose BASH senior Amy Kline's computer graphic as Best in Show.

Twelve schools representing 4 school districts submitted student work. Over a dozen school districts were invited to participate.

A few teachers shared a few of their pieces which we displayed in the window.

My How Time Flies...

2009-04-09T07:23:00.000-07:00

...when we're having fun! We've had tons of fun and lots to do since my last posting. We entertained the Lions Club for dinner; mounted "Natural Talents," our student show, and welcomed wall-to-wall visitors during the opening reception, March 20.

The quality of the student art and the diversity in style and medium are impressive. Seasoned artist Bob Williams was inspired by the creativity the young' uns demonstrated.

We're in the middle of our second round of art classes and have welcomed renowned artist Peter Schnore to our faculty. A writing class was offered this second round but we failed to attract enough students to run it. We'll try, try again!

And I'm still hoping Jodi, poet and coordinator of our Open Mic Poetry group, will offer a class one of these days. And Bob Wood and Ray Fulmer....

We're putting together our summer schedule to include a collaboration with the library. And we're investigating ways to collaborate with Boyertown schools; Creative Minds Montessori School, Route 100; the YMCA; and St. John's preschool, Sunday School and summer programs.

The more the merrier!

Studio B Thanks Berks County Community Foundation for Support

2009-02-21T13:10:00.000-08:00

What fun! Studio B treated members of the board of Berks County Community Foundation (BCCF) to a tasty dinner catered by next door neighbor Sweet Beginnings, introductions to the current fine art exhibit--The Farm featuring the works of over 50 artists--and to directors Susan Biebuyck and Amanda Condict, and a gift of art--Dave Larson's painting The Smith Farm" which was awarded Best in Show by juror Heather Heilman-Loercher last month featuring the Sacred Oak of Oley.

Dave's painting will reside in BCCF's new location and serve as a thank you gift for BCCF's financial support for Studio B. BCCF's grant paid the rent for Studio B's first year's home at 39A East Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown.

Studio B hosted the Boyertown Rotary Club recently and will welcome the Boyertown Lions Club and the Boyertown Junior Women's Club in an effort to spread the word about the studio's availability for meetings, gatherings, and party events.

Arts Education Central to Students' Learning

2009-02-21T12:57:00.000-08:00

Check out the essay supporting the need for education in the arts: http://www.edutopia.org/arts-music-curriculum-child-development. My favorite thought comes from Tom Horne, Arizona's state superintendent of public instruction: "When you think about the purposes of education, there are three. We're preparing kids for jobs. We're preparing them to be citizens. And we're teaching them to be human beings who can enjoy the deeper forms of beauty. The third is as important as the other two."

Also..."Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill. Arts learning can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork. A 2005 report by the Rand Corporation about the visual arts argues that the intrinsic pleasures and stimulation of the art experience do more than sweeten an individual's life...'connect people more deeply to the world and open them to new ways of seeing,' creating the foundation to forge social bonds and community cohesion."

Studio B Featured on WZAR-TV

2009-02-21T10:40:00.000-08:00

Visit www.wzartv.com Boyertown Live February 19 show available on the internet hosted by Zach Reinert and meet directors Susan Biebuyck and Amanda Condict.

Zach caught the spirit of the studio and our mission--as "go to" place in Boyertown for meeting friends, enhancing creativity and enjoying the beauty and gifts of our community's many fine artists. Thanks, Zach! You're the best.

Open Mic Night, Thursday, February 12, 2009 Honors John Updike

2009-02-08T18:15:00.000-08:00

Join lovers of language for Second Thursday Open Mic Night at Boyertown's Hard Bean Cafe, East Philadelphia Avenue, beginning at 7:00, to honor Reading, PA's favorite son, writer John Updike. To honor Updike's passing, bring a short (five minute) piece to read that highlights his extraordinary ability to describe ordinary things. Updike's American realism is often rooted in Berks County settings.

The evening is free and open to the public and encourages new and experienced writers to read original poetry and prose. Contact Jodi Corbett at jacorbet@comcast.net. Second Thursday is supported, in part, by Berks Bards, Arts and Activities Alliance, a committee of Building a Better Boyertown, and Hard Bean Cafe.

Studio B, a Beautiful Place to Meet (and Eat)

2009-02-08T17:01:00.000-08:00

Plan your next club meeting, catered dinner, birthday or engagement party surrounded by some of the area's most talented artists. Programs can include an artist discussing works on display, Studio B's mission and activities or a topic suggested by the participating artist.

Have pizza with Picasso: adults and children consider an art party at the studio; we'll arrange art or craft activities for fun; add a pizza and a cake! Nothing like having your guests create their own favors. Contact gallery director Susan Biebuyck@ sbiebuyck@mac.com, 484-332-2757.

Wanna Teach Art or Writing Classes?

2009-02-08T16:55:00.000-08:00

Studio B is preparing its class schedule for our second round of classes to begin mid-March 2009. For details contact Amanda Condict, 610-845-8851, acondict@condictandco.com

Call Out for student show "Natural Talents"

2009-02-08T16:51:00.000-08:00

Hi, Art Teachers!

If you missed the reception, please ask us to send you our teacher packet; we'd love to have you ad your students participate in our student show scheduled for March 20, 2009. Connect with Amanda for details: 610-845-8851, acondict@condictandco.com.

Story Swap

2009-02-08T16:41:00.000-08:00

Fun! Food! Friends! Boyertown's first "Story Swap" is being held at Studio B on Sunday, February 22, 2009, from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. It should be fun! We'll share a little "story" from your life like "What's your pet peeve?" "Who taught you to ride a bike or learn to swim?" "Do you remember the first time you crossed the street by yourself or drove yourself to the grocery store?

We guarantee a good time! Let Christi know if you can come and bring a friend or two!

Teacher reception at Studio B in Boyertown

2009-02-07T15:24:00.000-08:00

What a fun time last night entertaining some of our area's art teachers! We're looking forward to seeing the work of their naturally talented students...and...some of the art teachers' own work too! We can expect pottery, quilts, work in glass or mosaic from some of the teachers I know. I loved connecting with some of my teacher friends who are retired from teaching but busy with many other activities they love. I'm hopeful they'll consider becoming part of our Arts Alliance committee at our next meeting, Monday, February 23, 7:00 p.m., Studio B.

Thanks to Amanda, our Education Director for all her beautiful work preparing the teacher packet and promotional piece re: Studio B. Please note her correct phone numbers for your files: 610-207-8852 or her studio number 610-845-8851. My bad!

Hi! Welcome to Art in Boyertown

2009-02-06T10:46:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Boyertown! Welcome to Studio B, the home of the Arts and Activities Alliance. We're so excited to have a presence in Boyertown, this very special kind of place. And how perfect--right beside Boyertown's favorite eatery--the Grill Shop, home of the Royal Order of Raccoons and the Boyertown branch office of Stahl Marketing. And we're right across the street from Queen Jane's Bause's Super Drug Store.

We're in the middle of our second show The Farm which attracted 50 artists from the Boyertown area, Reading, Lancaster...and beyond. The quality of art is so impressive and so diverse in style and medium. Very exciting. And.......we had wall-to-wall people at our opening reception for 3 hours!

Best: One of Boyertown's favorite sons--Dave Larson took Best in Show; our juror had no idea he was a Boyertown artist. There's such great talent in this area that we've just begun to attract.

Our first show attracted over 500 people during Boyertown's annual Holiday Open House Tour. We invited our Arts and Activities committee members to exhibit, the "principals" in getting the studio up and running, and those who'd participated in the first year of A&AA to exhibit. Very exciting.

It's like Field of Dreams: build it and they will come. Folks have been so positive about the studio and our efforts. Very much like the response to Bear Fever.

But, just think about it: we're only 3 months into this studio...someday I'll share the stories about renovating this place and the history behind the effort. The energy has been amazing!

Gotta go now. Tonight's a reception for art teachers in the area; we're looking for their assistance in connecting with "natural talents" in their classes for a student show in March. We'll exhibit photography show after that. Spread the word! Come visit us!