Paper Cutting by Neil Haring
The Reading-Berks Chapter of the Guild was founding a holiday craft show! It is in its 63rd year, and packed full of contemporary versions of Pennsylvania folk art. Among the most memorable art forms practiced by the Reading-Berks chapter is scherenschnitte (“scissors cuts” to those of us who don’t speak German!) like the photo above.
That’s definitely not all you’ll find, though. Stop by Kutztown University’s Keystone Hall to find works in basketry, clay, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, photography, and wood. Some of the traditional holiday show favorites are stained glass, hooked rugs, pressed and dried flower art, furniture, woodworking, ceramics, wearables, tole and folk art paintings and holiday collectibles. Students participate, too. The chapter has offered free space and mentoring to students for the last 10 years.
This year the show features a unique display of the work of the late Gene Burkhart, who was not only an award-winning flower artist – he was an award-winning volunteer. In October 2011, he received the AARP’s prestigious Andrus Award for Community Service.
And did we mention the live music and demos by artists?
“Our Guild is dedicated to showing the diversity of fine crafts and talent from Berks County and beyond,” says Barry Bennecoff, Reading-Berks Guild president. “Our holiday and spring shows at Kutztown are excellent venues to see their work and to find original and unique gifts. And we are pleased to be able to showcase the work of students who will continue our traditions,” Bennecoff said.
The show, hosted in collaboration with the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center and Kutztown University, is open from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $4, but if you are a child 12 or under, a KU student, or a KU employee, it’s free!
If you have questions about the event, visit the website www.rbcrafts.org or call 610-678-6650.
