Studio B Art Gallery announces a $3,500 grant from Berks County Community Foundation (BCCF) to fund an exhibit and the release of the studio’s 9th book of poetry and prose: “Transforming Moments: Finding Our Voice.” The exhibit and book release are scheduled for June 2022.
“BCCF has been our VIP partner since we opened in 2008. The Foundation has sponsored a variety of the studio’s initiatives and activities involving our entire community—artists and lovers of the arts, other nonprofits, businesses, families, visitors to our community—and deserves credit for the very existence of ‘the little gallery that does,” explained Jane Stahl, Director of Community Relations. “We are grateful for their understanding of the importance of the arts in enhancing the quality of life and economic vitality of the Boyertown area.”
“Transforming Moments: Finding Our Voice”
The theme for the exhibit and book funded by the recent grant was inspired by a “Dear Abby” column headlined “Teen Is So Sorry for Unkindness” that Stahl used as a reflective writing assignment in her sophomore communications classes.
Sorry Teen in Port Ewen, NY, wrote of what she called a “transforming moment” in her life, a time she made a face at an overweight man riding his bicycle up a steep hill and instantly regretted her unkindness. She wrote, “I still feel terrible for what I did…. He changed my life forever. I’m determined never again to stereotype anyone.”
“We all have such moments—moments after which we are never the same,” noted Stahl. “Not all moments create regret—others inspire us or remind us of what’s really important,” she added. “Some of these moments we recognize immediately for the truths revealed about life or about ourselves and about the changes fostered in our behavior; others take years before we see their impact on our decisions and our perspective. But these moments help to define us. And so, I’m eager for our writers to share them with us and eager for our community to be inspired by them.”
The Human Library Project
Stahl has plans during the three-month exhibit to invite members of the community to share their stories as part of the Human Library project. Stahl explained, “In Denmark, there are libraries where you can ‘borrow’ a person instead of a book to listen to their life story for 30 minutes. The goal is to fight prejudice.”
“Each person has a title like ‘unemployed,’ ‘′refugee,’ ‘bipolar,’ for example; but in listening to the stories, you realize how much you shouldn’t ‘judge a book by its cover.’ This innovative and brilliant, active project exists in fifty countries,” Stahl continued, “and can add to further understanding one another’s life challenges, build empathy and increased community cohesiveness.”
“I’m beginning to ‘recruit’ participants for the project. And so, if you have a ‘story’ to tell, a cause to support—especially one that would enlighten others to a need or lessen suffering, discrimination, stigma, and prejudice—please contact me [email protected].”
Thanking donors
In addition to thanking BCCF, Studio B offers thanks to the members of the community who have recently responded to the studio’s annual appeal letter seeking donations. “As a community-run gallery, we rely on the funding support offered by the community—folks who realize that art matters. We wouldn’t be here without the community’s support,” Stahl concluded, “and invite donations at any time to further our efforts. Please contact me to discuss sponsorship of an exhibit or project. “
Studio B, located in the heart of historic 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.
Studio B celebrates lifelong learning, creativity and personal involvement in the visual and communication arts and seeks to be a dynamic part of Boyertown community, a “go to” destination for learning, fun and friendship. The studio seeks to showcase the work of fine artists in themed exhibits—some juried, some open to all—and welcomes art in diverse media. In addition to art exhibits, workshops, and classes, Studio B also hosts activities and informal gatherings on assorted topics for small groups or meetings, gallery talks, and “Getting to Know You” opportunities.
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. The studio proudly collaborates with the many unique businesses in the Boyertown community.
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