Membership renewals will be coming up in January.  Members will be receiving email notices for their renewal.  We are asking members to please renew on-line as it makes record keeping and communications easier for all.  Save the cost of an envelope and stamp! 

And as a reminder, renewals are now based on when you became a member. So if you paid for membership in March, your renewal will be in March, not January.

Thank you for your timely renewals!

New Venue, Enhanced Experience: Perk Valley Art Center's ART TALKS Find a Home at Maplewood Estates!

Starting from September 2023, Perk Valley Art Center is thrilled to announce a venue change for its esteemed ART TALKS. We are delighted to host these enlightening sessions at the newly renovated Arbor Conference Center, nestled within the picturesque Maplewood Estates in Harleysville. 

Announcing a new venue for the PVAC ART TALKs.  Beginning in September 2023, they will be held at Maplewood Estates located at 815 Maplewood Drive in Harleysville. Parking is close by and very accessible. 

Prepare to be captivated by the enhanced experience at our new location, boasting state-of-the-art speaker support. Immerse yourself in the spacious and comfortable conference center, specially designed to create an engaging ambiance for our esteemed speakers and attendees. Additionally, we are thrilled to offer a charming café on the same floor, providing the perfect space for mingling and connecting with fellow art enthusiasts.

Join us at the Arbor Conference Center at Maplewood Estates for an elevated ART TALKS experience like never before!

Introducing to our new Website! 

The Perkiomen Valley Art Center leadership team welcomes you to our newest work of art. Our shiny new website is brought to you thanks to a donation from member Pat Wilson-Schmid.

It is our goal to make this our center for all member communication so we are glad you stopped in. 

If you are new to PVAC, we invite you to look around and feel free to contact us if you see something you like or have questions about our group. You can also become a member and start participating and supporting the arts community. 

Members should check their in-boxes for an e-mail so that they log into  this site and participate in the forums, connect with other members and take full advantage of their membership. Questions? Please contact us.

Please send us your comments as this is a work in progress.

Image by Free Pix (www.freepix.com)

 

Scholarships Awarded thanks to the Generosity of PVAC Members

Congratulations to Elizabeth Krantz (Perk Valley High School Class of 2023) and Abel Alarcon Ortega (Souderton Area High School Class of 2023) the  recipients of this year's PVAC Scholarship Awards.

The recipients were chosen by their High School Administrations as demonstrating excellence in their art studies. PVAC through the generosity of its members and additional fundraising via their "Hearts for the Arts" program was able to provide a larger award than in prior years. Each recipient received a $300 award this year (an increase of $200/per student) to celebrate their High School successes to help them further their education. 

According to PVAC President, Colleen Algeo, "Perkiomen Valley Art Center is excited to see the students succeed. We are thrilled to be able to increase our support this year and invest in the future education of Elizabeth and Abel. They are highly accomplished student artists and have worked hard to earn the respect of their teachers. More, there are many artists in the PVAC group who make themselves available as mentors to emerging artists. We hope that the help we have given them today provides an opportunity to creative connections and continues as they move forward with their career plans." 

Colleen Algeo & Kathy Bohn, PVAC Vice President attended the award ceremony at Perk Valley High School on May 17 to meet and present the award to Elizabeth Krantz, who was very appreciative of the recognition and the monetary award. 

Kathy Bohn (right) congratulates Elizabeth Krantz on her achievement as the recipient of the Perk Valley High School (PVHS) Art Award during the PVHS Senior Award Ceremony held on May 17th.  

 

Loving the Past and Seeing the Future 

Pat Wilson-Schmid Donates to Help the Future Members & Leaders of PVAC

by Colleen Algeo

We owe long-time member, Pat Wilson-Schmid a debt of gratitude. At the March Board Meeting Pat surprised everyone by humbly offering to pay for a new tool. It is not just any tool, but an all purpose tool in the form of a software program that helps non-profits like ours take care of business, collaborate, and provide an enhanced member experience. The tool’s name is Wild Apricot. When asked why she decided to fund the software she said, “PVAC has done so much for me! I’d like us to focus on the mission and forget the hassles. Us old farts will be gone some day and this program will make it easier for future generations to continue. I am helping that happen because I love what PVAC has done for me. ” 

     Pat took classes with the PVAC founder Charles R. Gardner and described him as a progressively minded teacher who always made you feel good about your work. She added that she, like he, wanted PVAC to go on. Charles made quite an impression on Pat. In fact, she loaned us one of Charles’ originals for our 60th Annual Member Show and can describe how he created the painting.

    

HAPPY BOARD MEMBERS: L-R: Sharon Gross, Pat Wilson-Schmid, Deb Nyman and Kathy Bohn pause for a photo op in Pat’s studio. 

Pat has spent her life studying her craft. She revealed, “The act of painting is who I am. In addition to unusual lighting effects I enjoy showing my artist’s handwriting in my work. While viewers experience the painting, I hope they see me through the brushstrokes, transcending time. My want is to share the act of painting with my viewer. The texture of each brush stroke reveals my effort, my energy, my desire to say, ‘See, you are here with me, and I might stay with you forever in this painting.’ ” What I didn’t tell you is that Pat has promised to pay for this software in perpetuity. How’s that for staying with us forever! There aren’t enough thank yous, Pat, for kickstarting and sustaining our the new website you see here!  

Here is a poem by her that we thought might inspire you. 

A Painter’s Journey

by Patricia Wilson-Schmid

Partake of life through all the bloom
of each and every cycle.
And in the morning of each part
anticipate the glories.
Look back upon the evenings.
Ask what of worth to keep.
Move a level onward,
renewed and wiser still.
Grow in heart.
Prepare to leave a mark, a word, a thought
Transcend your span to be fulfilled
in future human kind.

Member Show Results
People with Creative Minds Really do see the World Differently.

by Colleen Algeo, President

What is it about a creative work like a painting that elicits our awe and admiration? Is it the thrill of being shown something new, something different, something the artist saw that we did not? The idea that some people see more possibilities than others is central to the concept of creativity. 

“Others have seen what is and asked why, I have seen what could be and asked why not.” ~Picasso

This was truly demonstrated at our recent Member Show. There are so many wonderful creative works being shared. The reception was a brilliant success with friendly camaraderie and lots of idea exchanging. Oh and great snacks! I applaud everyone who participated and am grateful to our donors and volunteers who helped it come together. I really think our founder Charles R. Gardner would have been thrilled. 

AWARDED ARTISTS GROUP: Distinguished Awards: Sherry Ward & Lori Quinque-Quinn  Special Awards: Joan Ambrose-Bibbo, Barbara Brown, Koz Noruzi, Terry Souders, Susan Sowers, Debra Yerger, Donna Steich, David W Thomas  Professional Awards: Thomas W Benfield, Phillip A Smith, Susan Klinger, Kathleen Bohn.  Emerging Awards: Teresa Nicoko, Barbara Jones, Donna McGough, Sharon Moyer.  Not Pictured: Kathy Bohn & Philllip Smith

     As artists, I think it is part of our wiring to continually look at things from different perspectives and then to explore ways to show that to the world. The leadership team is committed to this very concept with the goal of  having those new insights show us the way forward. New offerings are coming your way in hopes of eliciting a little awe and excitement from you about PVAC.  Here are a few more photos from our 60th Annual Member Show. 

 

Sherry Ward was chosen for the inaugural FOUNDERS AWARD.

 Lori Quinque-Quinn was chosen for Best of Show.

1st Place Professional - Thomas W. Benfield - Ascension - Acrylic

1st Place Emerging - Teresa Nicolo - Welcome to the Neighborhood - Pastel

Congratulations to all our Members for an amazing show. 

To see all the winners visit our Photo Page 

In the “Why Not” Category

Engage Studio in Schwenksville

2 pm - Meet up with light snacks (donations welcome)

2:30 pm - The Art of Wine

Lew Nyman - Sommelier & Wine

Join us to learn about the art of wine making from the vineyard to the wine glass. The class also includes the art of wine tasting. Learn about and taste a variety of white and red wines as well as find out about the artistry that goes into wine making.

ABOUT LEW: Lew’s credentials are impressive receiving his Level III Sommelier certification in 2019 from the Philadelphia campus of the National Wine School. His hobby for the last

40 years has been making wine. His 1/4 acre vineyard has

200 vines and 5 grape varieties. - Baco Noir, Marechal Foche, Cayuga, Aurore, Noiret. He has made wine from the grapes from his vineyard as well as from purchased juice and grapes. He has made Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Amarone, Pinotage, Petit Verdot, Brunello, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Carmenere, Pinot Noir, Brunello, Barolo, Vermentino & White Zinfandel. He has also made a variety of fruit wines - plum, apple, blueberry, blackberry, cherry, and mango.

See you all on the 21st.