Annual CFES art show set to open

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on March 15, 2017

Chadds Ford Art Sale and Show Chairman Nichiole Scull is flanked by featured artist Len Garon and donating artist Jacalyn Beam.

The 68^th annual Chadds Ford Elementary School Art Sale and Show will open Friday, March 24 with longtime favorites returning. The event concludes March 25 with art tours, art workshops and a conversation with local artist Karl Kuerner.

Another local favorite, plein air artist Jacalyn Beam, is the donating artist this year and Len Garon, who’s been showing at Chadds Ford for more than 30 years, is the featured artist. This will be the third time for Garon being featured.

The Friday night reception — from 7-10 p.m. — is for adults only, but Saturday is open to the whole family and includes three children’s art workshops — at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Kids will be able to paint, drawing inspiration from popular films. The workshops go for 90 minutes and there is a materials fee ranging from $15 to $25. Admission to the workshops is on a first come, first serve basis.

There will also be two art tours on Saturday, at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The guided tour will let people see the art collection at the school, and learn how the collection and school weave local history and art.

Saturday also includes a conversation with Karl Kuerner at 1 p.m. Kuerner is a Chadds Ford native who studied under Carolyn Wyeth. His family’s farm was an inspiration and subject of several of Andrew Wyeth’s works.

Kuerner will talk about his life as an artist and his connection with the Wyeth family.

In all, more than 60 artists will have their works on display. Money raised from the event will benefit the CFES PTO, which will use the funds for educational projects and programs that help enhance the overall educational experience for the school’s students. MasterCard and Visa accepted, 30 percent of all purchases are tax deductible.

Betsy Wyeth started the show in 1949.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.