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Studio B Fine Art Gallery announces award winners for ‘FACE’ exhibit

Studio B Fine Art Gallery in Boyertown presented more than $1,000 in awards to 19 artists at the opening of its exhibit titled “FACE” in January.

The opening attracted community members, artists, and friends that “packed the house,” said Susan Biebuyck, Studio B’s gallery director in a statement recently released.

“While we have had even greater attendance at many of our openings, tonight’s gathering was the largest we’ve had since COVID,” she said. “It was great being able to gather together again.”

“I’ve missed being here,” said Jack Lignelli, local oral surgeon, in the release.

Lignelli and his wife, Linda, long-time donors and patrons of the studio, are one of the first members of the studio’s Beamer Club, which are patrons whose donations supported the studio’s founding and its future. Beamers’ names can be found on the studio’s ceiling beams honoring their support. The studio relies on artists’ memberships, donations, grants and sales of art for its ongoing support and welcomes new members and donations year-round.

For the “FACE” exhibit, Biebuyck encouraged artists to explore the many definitions and uses of the word “face” to inspire their responses. More than 80 artists submitted artwork in all media for the 2023 members’ renewal exhibit. Many artists submitted work for the first time; others have been submitting work to Studio B’s exhibits since the gallery opened in December 2008.

Portraits of people and animals line the gallery walls in salon-style mounting. Other artists chose to exhibit faces of flowers, mountains, buildings, fabric facing, doors, walls, and gardens, for example.

“Our local area is rich in artistic talent,” said Biebuyck. “We are always gratified at the loyalty of our member artists and yet happy to see artists from outside our local area participate. Artists come from 60 miles in all directions to submit work.”

Best in Show was awarded to Marky Barto for “Memories.”

Second Place was awarded to Pirjo L’Esperance for “Wind in My Hair.”

Third-Place award went to Bill Timmins for “Am I Blue.” The subtitle for the piece was the result of an accident during the painting’s finish, according to the artist.

Robert Seabourne earned a fourth-place award for his oil painting titled “Boldface.”

Alecia Miller earned fifth place for “This Too Shall Pass.”

Honorable Mentions were awarded to Anne Mitchell Reid for “Surface Designs,” Albert Ciervo for his plaster “Preservation Hall,” David Reimer for “Sanctuary,” Jim Meehan for “Ballpoint Daddy,” Marilyn Basehoar for “The Plaza,” Martha Ressler for “Ice Cream Day,” Marta Tomosy-Herman for “Sad Madonna,” Judy Lupas for “Broken Open” and Lauralynn White for “Floral Self No. 2.”

The exhibit is sponsored by a grant offered by Suzanne Biesecker, a loyal patron of the arts who has supported art and culture through her donations to Boyertown’s Arts & Activities Alliance even before Studio B opened its doors.

Juror for the exhibit was fine artist Merrill Weber, an award-winning artist whose work is included in exhibitions and museums world-wide. Weber’s portrait “Frida” is on exhibit in “FACE” and represents 57 other oil portraits in her collection Inspirational Women that has won the attention of galleries and collectors everywhere.

The exhibit continues through April 23. An awards ceremony and virtual tour hosted by Amy Muzopappa of Muzo Media Productions was held and is available for viewing as a Facebook event on Studio B Art Gallery’s Facebook page.

Studio B Fine Art Gallery, 39A East Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown, is the home of the Arts and Activities Alliance, a committee of Building a Better Boyertown, a nonprofit Main Street program dedicated to revitalizing small towns. Visitors are always welcome to view the changing exhibits; take lessons in the visual, literary, and communication arts offered by highly-trained local artists and teachers; and schedule small events or parties in its elegant facility.


Source: Berkshire mont

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