The highly anticipated juried exhibition of Fine Arts in Pennsylvania returns to Muncy, courtesy of Muncy Historical Society. The show will feature some of the most talented artists in Pennsylvania whose works are exhibited and collected nationally.
The tenth annual invitational Artists Exhibition and Sale will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 11, and from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Pennsdale Civic Center Social Hall, 261 Village Road, Pennsdale, PA.
Friday night’s opening includes a reception with complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres, and music by members of the Williamsport Symphony Youth Orchestra—William Knauth, Michael Fisher, Juliet Jacques, and Rachel Boll. Friday night admission is $15 per person; Saturday admission is $10 per person. The artists will be available during both Friday and Saturday hours to meet and greet show attendees.
The society’s art show committee wants to ensure that show guests experience a well-rounded event that includes a wide range of artistic expression–diversity and excellent artistry remain paramount to the selection process. Many of the artists share a close relationship with Lycoming County and the surrounding area. The show includes a wide range of arts and craftsmanship, including photography, oil painting, jewelry, fashion, pottery, metal- and woodworking, quilting, mosaics, basketry, watercolor, sculpture, and home décor. The show will be a rich and varied collection of original work along with signed and numbered limited-edition reproductions.
This year’s artists include Carol Cillo, Michael Coppes, Dorothy Fisher, Steve Getz, Robert Hughes, Jeff Keiffer, Selinda Kennedy, Deb Parsons, Kris Robbins, Mark Robbins, Ken Sanford, David Seybold, Roger Shipley, Theresa Spitler, Deb Stabley, Kathy Sterngold, Bruce Storm, Nella Godbey Storm, Sue Swisher, Wynn Yarrow and Judith Cole Youngman.
Five artists are making their first appearance: Joan Carroll, obsessed with animals and painting in oils; Joan Grimord, who combines whimsy with the macabre; Peter Grimord and his “pointillist” drawing technique; Lynn Kibbe who focuses on Americana and employs scratchboard; and Claudia Leo who brings finely crafted baskets to this year’s show.
According to Linda Poulton, show coordinator, a panel of independent jurors evaluates new applicants and selects from our stable of previously juried talented artisans to choose those who will be asked to participate in the current year’s show.
“While each exhibition is different, a small number of our artists are core to the show,” Poulton said. “We are careful to offer a mix of traditional and contemporary styles and techniques from oil paintings to acrylics to mixed media. We are very fortunate to be able to introduce our community to such incredibly gifted artists and to be able to vary the show each year with different artistic expressions.”
Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in a silent auction beginning Friday, and continuing until 1 p.m. on Saturday. In addition to works from the participating artists, there will be two limited edition ceramic pieces by Jef Raasch, a nationally recognized artist from the Midwest.
There will be two door prize entry opportunities. The Muncy Historical Society’s door prize is two tickets to the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra’s “Broadway Celebration” concert performance on March 18, 2017. Under the direction of Gerardo Edelstein, the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra will perform iconic show hits from “West Side Story,” “Les Miserables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Show Boat,” “Carousel” and others. Featured singers will be local stars Emily Wertz, Bernadette Boerckel and Brian Mextorf.
Also, this will be one of the last opportunities to participate in the 2016 Passport Program, an initiative sponsored by members of the Historical Organizations of Lycoming County with support provided by the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau. Entry forms will be available at the show and the prizes will be awarded on November 20. The 2016 grand prize is a 40-inch Sansui LED-LCD HDTV. There are four other prizes: 1) an overnight stay at Hampton Inn Williamsport-Downtown, a $75 gift card from historic Peter Herdic House Restaurant, along with two tickets to Williamsport Symphony Orchestra’s March 18 concert; 2) 4 tickets to the 2017 Championship Game, 2017 Little League Baseball World Series; 3) 4 complimentary rounds at White Deer Golf Course, Vintage or Challenge course; and 4) a $25 gift card, Sam’s Club or Walmart.
To commemorate the show’s 10th year, there will be a special exhibit area comprised of a variety of artwork from the museum’s collection. Art is part of the fabric of our community. The society continues to collect, preserve and exhibit pieces that highlight the many talented artists, both past and present, from this area. An architectural rendering of Ashhurst Manor, images from the Jean Mohr collection, and gunsmith Bill Kennedy’s handiwork are a few examples of the pieces that will be on display.
This year’s show proceeds will benefit the Muncy Historical Society’s educational initiatives and its outreach, including the third annual “Pops at Pepper Street” free concert performed by the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, confirmed for Aug. 5, 2017, and other projects that focus on Muncy as a resilient community.
Arts funding support has been provided by Gary’s Furniture, 3 Factory Street, Picture Rocks; state funding through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, an agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts; the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau and friends of the Muncy Historical Society.
Directions to the Artists Exhibition and Show: I-180, 220 N exit, EXIT 15, toward Pennsdale; take 220 N approximately 0.3 mile; make slight left onto Village Road; Social Hall on left, 0.3 mile.
For more information, visit www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org, call (570) 546-5917 or send email to MuncyHistorical@aol.com.
