August 9, 2003 - September 28, 2003

The 26th Annual Juried Art Exhibit was an outstanding success with 498 pieces of artwork submitted by 252 artists, 181 of which were accepted including 20 sculptures. Media in the exhibit includes oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, sculpture (wood, steel, plaster, stone, ceramic and glass), handmade paper, fiber, photography, pencil, pen and ink, and gouache. Subject matter includes portraits, landscapes, florals, still lifes and abstract interpretations with “moods” ranging from somber to whimsical. It took over 100 dedicated Berks Art Alliance volunteers to bring the exhibition to fruition as well as the professional and dedicated staff at the Reading Public Museum.

Award of Excellence ($1000 prize) was given to Denny Bond for Water Ballet, Merit Award I ($750) was given to Phyllis Disher Fredericks for Green Vessel, Merit Award II ($500) was given to Robert Koch for Untitled Wave, and Honorable Mentions ($250 ea.) were given to Peter Schnore for Awesome Lie, Michael Allen for Brush Fire, and David Makowiecki for Paper Stalks. The show is currently running at the Reading Public Museum through September 28, 2003. Museum hours are Tuesday, Thursday – Saturday 11am to 5pm; Wednesday 11am to 8pm; and Sunday Noon to 5pm. Admission is $7 Adults, $5 Children 4 to 17, Museum Members and Children under 4 are free.

This year’s juror, Lisa Tremper Hanover, Director of the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College, will be at the Reading Public Museum Wednesday, September 17th from 6pm to 8pm in the Temporary Galleries to discuss the show and her choices. This is free with admission.

The Berks Art Alliance is a 63 year old organization that is a fellowship of artists, both professional and amateur, interested in creating an atmosphere compatible and stimulating to the arts within the Alliance and extending out into the community at large. Call the Institute of the Arts, Berks Art Alliance headquarters, at 610-376-1576 for more information.