Reading Berks Blog

Some of you may have attended last year's art strolls in Hamburg - this year we're adding on new ideas. We've taken the friendly advice passed our way - i.e. the strolls now run from 6:00 to 9:00 instead of 4:00 to 8:00 - and used it to help the strolls grow in attendance and stuff to do.

Anyways, I'm just giving a heads up on the dates and general themes for those of you who like to spend the occasional Friday night in Hamburg.

Around the World - May 2nd
Cultural dance & traditional music envelop the evening with memories & dreams of travel. Artwork defines culture & celebrates heritage and progression – enhance your awareness of the arts by conversing with local artists. Each work of art & each performance has its own story – journey forward and jump all aboard– respect the beauty of diversity.

My Generation - June 6th
Experience the sights and sounds of surviving generations. See art styles from modern to traditional, listen to the sounds of the decades, and savor some of the most popular foods from your youth. Become a piece in the circle of life. Take the time to talk to performers about their backgrounds and to artists about their influences. Live and learn…

Raining Cats & Dogs - August 1st
Animal lovers – get your pets out of the house and let them walk YOU for the evening; stroll through a sea of local artists and performers. Pet contests and a dog parade are on the agenda for the night. Treat your animal to some “human” food at one of many in-town dining spots; it’s their night on the town. Animals have been depicted in art throughout the ages – a timeless symbol of culture whose meanings change with time.

Under the Big Top - September 5th
Give into your free spirit during this evening under the Big Top with clowns, lively music, face painting, and animal balloons. Don’t forget your circus appetite—grab some food on the go from any of the town’s food joints (offering great variety). See displays of regional art & performances with the eyes of simplicity. Re-spark the child within you as you experience “the greatest show on earth”.

Mardi Gras & Blues - October 3rd
Feel the “Soul” of the evening transform as you snap your fingers to some blues. Mellow out and unwind OR live it up and be merry. Experience the magic of a New Orleans style party mile. Wear your masks & beads, get out your boas – experience first hand the contagious pulse of energy and mystery surrounding the blues’ sensation.

Les Werley, owner of Dietrich’s Men’s Shop at 320 State Street, was awarded the 2nd Golden Broom in Hamburg on February 20th. The decorative broom symbolizes the heart of those businesses that strive to preserve the community’s positive image.

Les always provides some form of greening out front – regardless of season – from spring/summer planters to winter pine arrangements. Between the trash-free walkway and the nostalgic charm of his storefront, his entrance is solely inviting.

When the snow is piled inches high on other business’ sidewalks, Werley’s is nearly clear. What’s his secret? As long as it’s just snow, he sweeps rather than shovels – but with a special broom. Les is so steadfast on snow removal and maintenance that he’s been known to shovel other properties’ walkways before the tenants can get to them.

Our Town Foundation’s design committee awards a golden broom quarterly. The honor is granted to a downtown property owner who best beautifies and maintains the exterior of their property. The first business owner to receive this award was Ruth Kershner of Ruth’s Dress Shop on 42 South 4th Street.
The design committee hopes this award will create a contagious strain of town pride. The goal is to have every business express as much persistence as Ruth and Les have done for years.

Our Town Foundation administered the funds and labor to revive the visual appeal of the downtown with new walkways and lamp posts. It’s the businesses’ duty to enhance that image with clean and attractive storefronts.

-Mary Domsicz
Special Events and Projects Coordinator
otfassistant2@verizon.net

Sharon’s shadows and hues intertwine with contrasting colors as perfectly as you would witness them firsthand in nature. Allen’s trains are depicted with pen and ink – patiently created one pen dot at a time – with a technique that provides the quality of multiple dimensions. Seeing the colors in Lynn’s interpretations of jazz concerts makes you feel like you’re hearing the music with your eyes. Michelle’s work is touching, in so simple a way that you can feel the spirit of nature in the eye of a horse.

Prepare for a journey of the senses on March 7th as the Hamburg Area Arts Alliance showcases a group of painters that the Gallery of Hamburg is featuring for their ability to work in mixed styles. Here for the meet-and-greet this evening, from 6:00 to 8:00, is the following artists:

Sharon Readinger takes pleasure in experimenting with the magic of color; time and experience has inspired her to capture that magic & give it life through many mediums – her creativity emanates not just through her painting, but her decorative house wares:
“I loved color since I opened my first box of crayons. I wanted to be an artist ever since. I was active in art all through high school. After taking some time off to raise my family, I now have reached a time in my life where I can dedicate time to doing art.”
Allen Madeira is a jack of all trades but a master of visual representation. As his life progresses his artistic journey grows in character—from pen & ink scenes of trains & wildlife, to the realm of printmaking, to exploring the techniques of oils.

Allen has studied art in school, yet his most honest and inspirational lessons derive from his fast-paced lifestyle – mixed with his intuitive value of perception, his road is in a constant path of progression.

Lynn Millar uses her surroundings and daily experiences as inspiration for her ever-changing artistic subjects; her prestige as an established artist does not fray her from experimenting with style. She has displayed her work in notable shows and well-known galleries since 1977:

“I am constantly being inspired by the colors, textures and shapes around me in rural Pennsylvania. I have recently been enjoying painting abstract watercolors… abstracts remind me of classical music, pure color, texture, and design. And the joy of the new inspiration is the fun of art for me.”

Michelle Sterner is an observer who re-creates that “special something” about an experience using multiple artists’ tools to capture her free spirit— always with the heart of a poet. She reconstructs her daily occurrences and the beauty of the natural world into art:

“My basic instinct for understanding the physical world around me is to search as a horseman would: to see, to feel, to listen, and to hear that which is being said by horses or by Nature itself”.

The Gallery of Hamburg spotlighted three painters from the Hamburg Area Arts Alliance on February 1st. Many visitors made the trek into the Gallery against Mother Nature’s freezing rain and downpours. As the evening came to a close, the artists shared stories of their inspiration and adventures.

This series will continue with first Fridays through December (except July) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Gallery of Hamburg, 342 State Street. Each night provides an appropriate atmosphere for artists to interact with the community – to discuss their work and their influences with art enthusiasts and inquiring minds.

All first Fridays are open to the public and free to attend. Light snacks and refreshments will be served, thanks in part to the 2008 featured artists sponsor – Laurel Center: Genesis Health Care.

The Hamburg Area Arts Alliance was created at the close of 2006 as a committee under Our Town Foundation – Hamburg’s Main Street Program. The Alliance was organized to support and showcase local artists and crafters and to advance the awareness of arts in the community. Members are all regionally based.

The Gallery of Hamburg exhibits a diverse range of talent amongst its thirty artists & crafters on display. Whether you’re attracted to the hex signs and quilts of the town’s heritage or you appreciate modern and abstract interpretations of nature, the Gallery will appeal to one of your passions.

Mary Domsicz
-Our Town Foundation
Special Events & Projects Coordinator
otfassistant2@verizon.net

Raised in Tilden Township, Mary Keiser uses her local architecture and country settings to create illustrious watercolors. Her experienced use of color, shadows, and light adds details that make even a quick glance memorable. Keiser truly captures the feeling of the moment and the sense of beauty that initiated each particular work.

The Hamburg Area Arts Alliance has granted Mary the opportunity to be their second featured artist (the first was local historic watercolorist Stewart Biehl in 2007). This title encompasses production of 13 of her self-chosen prints, a task that was time-consuming because she had to acquire the originals from past buyers.

All thirteen watercolors were used to create a “Changing Seasons” 2008 calendar, matted prints, and note cards available for purchase in the Gallery of Hamburg. Mary’s thoughtfully personalized captions make each month’s calendar print even more meaningful. The prints and note cards make an affordable gift for both locals and out-of-towners, granting both a touch of Pennsylvania’s beauty.

Mary only seriously studied watercolors after an early retirement in the eighties; art was not offered in Hamburg schools while she was growing up. She studied with many local art instructors and attended numerous workshops and seminars, enhancing an already established knack for watercolor. She has held Open Houses in her home and featured her art at many regional businesses and events. Her purchased works span across the United States and Canada. Keiser believes that it isn’t ever too late to be who you were destined to be.

This holiday stop by the gallery in the Our Town Foundation office: 342 State Street. After browsing through the varied art forms of over fifteen artists on display, make sure you don’t leave until you purchase Keiser’s work. Her calendars and prints are priced on sale for the holidays only. If you’re at a loss for reasonably priced gift ideas, buy “Santa’s Bundle” pack and save money: one print, one pack of cards, and one calendar.

Mary Keiser’s sincere persona is just as magnificent as her talent as a watercolorist. Mary generously offered the use of thirteen of her favorite works for the production of this merchandise. Proceeds benefit Our Town Foundation, Hamburg’s Main Street revitalization program.

Mary Domsicz
Special Events & Projects Coordinator
Our Town Foundation
otfassistant2@verizon.net

Ruth Kershner, owner of Ruth’s Dress Shop at 42 South 4th Street, received the first ever Golden Broom award in Hamburg on November 7th.

Every morning as the town is waking up Ruth is outside sweeping away the dirt or inspecting her property before the day begins. Her personal touches accent an already admirable storefront. Kershner’s care and concern for appearance carry forward into her shop; Ruth is well-known for providing personal service and quality product.

When told that the Foundation hopes she will influence others around her, Kershner replied, “I’ve been trying for twenty years.”

Our Town Foundation’s design committee will award this certificate and decorative broom quarterly. The honor is granted to the one downtown property owner who best beautified and maintained the exterior of their property.

The Foundation’s design committee hopes this award will help to positively spread pride in our town’s improved image. The goal is to have every business express as much persistence as Ruth. Our Town Foundation acquired the funds and labor to beautify the downtown’s walkways. Now it’s up to the businesses to continue to maintain it.

Mary Domsicz
Special Events & Projects Coordinator
Our Town Foundation
otfassistant2@verizon.net