by admin | Aug 1, 2021 | Blog
Lehigh Valley artists and teachers Jan Crooker and Kristine Miller-Siple will be exhibiting their still life paintings at the Bethlehem Town Hall Rotunda Gallery from August 12 to September 19, 2021. There will be an artist reception on Sunday, September 19 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. The Rotunda Gallery is located at 10 E. Church Street. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Jan Crooker is both an artist and a teacher at Northampton Community College. As an artist, she sees her high contrast acrylic paintings as symbolic of a positive and bright attitude. As a teacher, she tries to set an example of positive ways to push and inspire her drawing students. Jan describes herself as one of those lucky people who discovered her passion for art at an early age. Color has always been the main focus of her artistic expression. My love of color harkens back to that early exposure to art. While some kids had favorite athletes, I had favorite artists, and still do today. El Greco was my first favorite artist, but today I love the color of Janet Fish’s work and the playfulness of Wayne Thiebaud. I want my work to show the joy of color and light that I discovered as a child. When I paint, I immerse myself in my work and just enjoy the process, what now some describe as flow.
Kristine Miller-Siple is a local artist and teacher. She taught art at all levels after graduating from Kutztown University. All her life she experimented with two-and-three-dimensional art forms and numerous media before discovering the beauty and luminescence of oil painting studying with Bruce Becker at the Warehouse Studio. Common and whimsical objects from sentimental experiences are the primary focus of her paintings. Kristine begins her process by taking her own photographs of the objects, strategically positioning them until the exact composition is achieved balancing the object and the shadow it casts. These still life objects take on their own persona standing alone in space. Then the object is drawn on canvas. The excitement of the push and pull of color and value is the true essence of her painting experience. Each painting represents a visual study taken one step further by exploring the intricacies of the shadow it casts. Emphasis on the play of light and color in the shadow is a metaphor for looking back in time. Kristine’s shadow play paintings are meant to inspire and reawaken pleasant memories for the viewer.
The exhibition is sponsored by the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission.
by admin | Mar 14, 2016 | Blog, Events, News
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For May 7 & 8, 2016
PRESS CONTACT: Sandy Gillen at jslbg2@verizon.net
The Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission is pleased to announce their 51st Annual Bethlehem Fine Art and Craft Show. Held over Mother’s Day Weekend, the sidewalk art show along Main Street in Historic Bethlehem is a celebration of the finest local and regional artists. Over 80 juried artists and craft artisans participate each year in this two-day outdoor Fine Art Show.
Judging takes place on Saturday. The judge visits each booth and selects the Best of Show, Second Prize, Third Prize, and Best Display. Prizes are awarded Saturday evening at a reception sponsored by the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission.
One of the delightful elements of the event each year is the Artist In Residence. Be sure to stop by Booth # 27 to observe the artist at work!
We invite families to take part in our Children’s Art Activities. Join in on fun interactive art projects, or make mom a handmade gift or card!
To complement the festivities, local musicians perform along the Show route. Enjoy acoustic tunes as you peruse the artist stalls along the way.
Visit the information booth to view this years special piece of art to be raffled during the Show! Please join us on Saturday, May 7th from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, May 8th from 11am to 5pm. In addition to this diverse art show, Bethlehem boasts great restaurants, shops, hotels, and a rich history. It’s a perfect opportunity for the whole family to enjoy a wonderful experience in Historic Downtown Bethlehem. AND there is no admission fee!
The Fine Art & Craft Show is sponsored and organized by the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission.
For more information on the Show, the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission and other upcoming
BFAC events, go to www.bfac-lv.org.
by admin | Jun 16, 2015 | Blog
Press Release
Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission
PO Box 1851
Bethlehem, PA 18016
bfac-lv.org
| Media Contact: Deni Thurman-Eyeremail: deni.thurmaneyer@verizon.net |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 8, 2015
PORTRAIT SHOW RETURNS TO CITY HALL
The Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission is pleased to announce the Third Biennial Self-Portrait Exhibition by artists and prominent citizens in the Bethlehem community. The portraits will be on display from July 6 through August 27 at the Rotunda Gallery at City Hall in Bethlehem, PA. Titled “Face Value: A Self-Portrait Show,” the exhibit focuses on how its distinguished participants see themselves.
In his second term as exhibit curator, Vince Gentilcore particularly values what the self-portraits communicate. They reveal the self-identity of their distinguished participants, including their interests, emotions, value, work, personalities, and more. Yet the self-portraits challenge and inspire not only how their creators are seen and see themselves, but how their viewers see themselves, too.
Ranging widely from traditional to contemporary, the self-portraits vary in media and tone. Self –portraits by local artists include Khalil Allaik, Richard Begbie, Ken and Sue Berkenstock, Mary Louise Brion, Arturo Cabrera, Pat Check, Jan Ciganick, Pat Delluva, Carol Heft, Gini Illick, David Lee, Doug Roysdon, Frank Sabatino, Barbara Schulman, Deb Slahta, Ward Van Haute, Bruce Wall, and Hub Wilson. Self-portraits by notable citizens not known primarily as visual artists include Josh Berk, Shane Burcaw, Dr. Barbara Cantalupo, Rt. Rev. C. Hopeton Clennon, Vince Gentilcore, Kassie Hilgert, Paul Larson, Jody Matthews, David Mickenberg, Jill Moran, Mary Mulder, Barbara Pearson, Deborah Sacarakis, Dr. Edward Salgado, State Representative Steve Samuelson, Martha Viera, Jen Wescoe, and Bill White.
Self-Portrait Exhibition Committee members for 2015 include Barbara Kozero, Peggy Hobbs, Jim DePietro, and Dr. Charles Cantalupo.
Hours for the show are Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. A reception with the participants will be held on Sunday, July 12, from 2 – 4 pm at the Rotunda.
For more information about the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission, go to www.bfac-lv.org.
by admin | Feb 2, 2015 | Blog, Press Releases Archive
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Dr. Neil Wetzel
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Dr. Neil Wetzel is Associate Professor of Music and Hurd Chair for Art and Music at Moravian College (Bethlehem, PA). He also is the Director of Jazz Studies, directs the Moravian College BIG Band, and teaches saxophone. Having earned both a BM (Jazz Perf.) and MAT degrees from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, he also completed a doctorate in music education (EdD) at Teacher’s College, Columbia University.
Locally, Dr. Wetzel comes in contact with scores of aspiring jazz students through his work with educational jazz programs. He has been an active adjudicator for academic music festivals (Music in the Parks and Cavalcade of Bands Jazz shows) and is the education coordinator for the SteelStacks High School Jazz Band Showcase (presented by ArtsQuest), aired annually on WFMZ TV channel 69. He has also been guest conductor for PMEA District jazz bands, PMEA District 10 Intermediate Band, the Berks County All-Star High School Jazz Band, and the SteelStacks All-Star High School Jazz Band. He has been the director of Moravian College’s Summer Jazz Camp @ Moravian (SJC@M) since its inception. He is also a Pennsylvania Jazz Collective Artist and board member and chair of the group’s education committee.
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Café the Lodge is a great meeting place nestled in the heart of Southside, Bethlehem. It provides great coffee and awesome food. The Lodge puts an emphasis on creativity and the arts. The mindfulness garden behind the café has beautiful murals that emphasize hope and recovery. During the week the members gather for arts and craft classes. Our Friday nights include Writers & Poets Nights, Open Mic Nights and Live Performers. In addition on Saturday’s there is a drum circle and Open Mic afternoon for kids.
The Lodge is a partnership between Northampton County Mental Health and Resources for Human Development that provides supported housing, employment and programming for persons with mental health challenges. Come, enjoy the food and relaxed atmosphere and support a great cause. The Café is a special Café with a special mission. Learn more about the Lodge at www.TheLodge-rhd.org. Check out our Cafe, review our menu and monthly calendar at www.cafethelodge.org.
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Mary Wright |
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Born to missionary parents in Rangoon, Burma, Mary led a fairly peripatetic life until moving to Bethlehem in 1997. After studying theater in college and working around the country in professional theaters for several years she discovered the world of storytelling in a corner of Idaho. Since then she has performed for more than 6,000 at schools, playgrounds, festivals, churches and in theaters.
As a professional actress her roles have ranged from Laura in The Glass Menagerie to the silent clown character Little Red that she created for Touchstone Theatre’s Christmas City Follies. As a storyteller she has performed in festivals locally, regionally and nationally.
She has directed plays in Chicago, Boise, St. Petersburg, Philadelphia and Bethlehem. Locally, her work has been seen at Liberty High School, Pennsylvania Youth Theatre, Magnolia Theater and most recently, Touchstone Theatre’s acclaimed JOURNEY: Dream of the Red Pavilion which she also wrote.
She has worked with Touchstone Theatre for more than ten years, and is currently an Ensemble Associate and responsible for their Young Playwrights’ Lab program. For the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre, she teaches acting in the Senior Conservatory and directs. Mary is a founding member and current Board member of the Lehigh Valley Storytelling Guild. Eight years ago she co-founded the non-profit Friends of Liberty Theatre to help support and enhance the theater arts at Liberty High School, as well as provide enrichment and educational opportunities for students interested in theater. She served on the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission and the Lehigh Valley Arts Council artist advisory group.
She became a rostered teaching artist for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts in 2007. Her work in arts-based residencies have ranged from pre-k through college.
She resides in Bethlehem with her husband, and when not involved in artistic pursuits of one kind or another can be found out in her garden or experimenting with a new bread recipe.
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by admin | Feb 2, 2015 | Blog, Press Releases Archive
1st Place: Steve Russell – “Monocacy Park” Oil
2nd Place: Sheila O’Connell “Misty Morning II” Photo
3rd Place: Bernie Tyler “Scenic View of the Lehigh River
Honorable Mention: Li-Shen Price “Walk Along Sand Island
Honorable Mention: Ed Brazee “Monocacy Creek at Historic Bethlehem” Oil
The upcoming show of Canals and Waterways of Bethlehem will be held at the Bethlehem City Rotunda Tuesday, April 1, 2014 through April 27th with the artists’ reception from 2:00pm – 4:00pm on the 27th. And the winners are…
Local and visiting artists are invited to participate for a fun day of painting and/or photography of Bethlehem’s beautiful canals and waterways on September 21, 2013. Artists are encouraged to focus on the various locations: the Monacacy Creek, Saucon Creek, Lehigh Canal, Lehigh River, and any other water areas in Bethlehem.
An exhibition of this finished art will be held at the Bethlehem City Hall Rotunda during the month of April, 2014. Prizes will be awarded.
Date: There is no rain-date and no specific time for artwork to be produced. We encourage you to work on September 21st showing community and collaborative effort. Artists may return on another day to complete their work.
Registration: Each artist wishing to participate must mail check of money order for $25.00, payable to “BFAC” along with registration form to:
BFAC
Canals and Waterways of Bethlehem Paint Out
P.O. Box 1851
Bethlehem, PA 18016
