September 26, 2017

Art Watch: The Clay-tons are coming!

Lots of little Claytons

There are 100 different clay creatures (Clay-tons) hidden throughout Chester County by the 20 clay artists involved in the Annual Clay Days art exhibition.  This year, “Clay Days” is revving up the excitement by including an art-inspiring treasure hunt all over the county.  If you find one of these hidden clay creatures, it is yours to keep, and the artists ask that you follow the instructions on the tag to post the finding on Facebook or Instagram. The post is intended to encourage people to come to the Clay Days exhibitions October 5, 6 & 7 held at Chester County Art Association, The Knauer Gallery at West Chester University October 3 to 29 and Five Senses Gallery on October 6 through 8. What a great way to get involved in this exciting clay art event!

Artists at gathering at West Chester University to make “Claytons”

The Clay Days artist group is comprised of 20 local clay artists who show together once a year. Clay artist Harriet Wentz started the group several years ago with a fabulous Clay Days show in her home in West Chester.  The show grew in size and was so much fun for the artists and the buyers, that when Harriet moved to Oregon, she made sure to find “Clay Days” a new West Chester home, which is now the Chester County Art Association.

This year Clay Days falls on the same weekend as “First Friday Gallery Walk” in West Chester – which is a huge art event all over downtown West Chester that happens twice a year. During Gallery Walk on October 6th, dozens of stores become mini-pop-up art galleries to showcase local artists.  Many stores, including Five Senses Gallery on Market Street in West Chester, will be highlighting the work of ceramic artists, in conjunction with Clay Days. Five Senses will be featuring clay works by Bob Deane, Rhoda Kahler and Mitch Lyons on Gallery Walk Friday, and all weekend long.

At the Knauer Gallery in West Chester University, artist Andrew Snyder will have live clay demonstrations all Saturday, October 7th. Please check the University website for exact times. He will be showing in the Knauer Gallery all month long with fellow clay artists and students. Andrew Snyder was featured on the cover of this month’s West Chester FIG magazine, which has a great article about him and his beautiful work. Andrew Snyder is Assistant Professor of Ceramics at West Chester University as well as a practicing ceramic artist.

Gold Dust Town by Rhoda Kahler,Station Gallery

Renown clay artist Rhoda Kahler and her friend and fellow ceramic artist Suzanne Kent came up with the idea of making little “Clay-tons” and hiding them all over Chester County. I happen to see Rhoda at last week’s grand Anniversary opening and “Graham, Galer & Durnin” art show at Gallery 222 in Malvern, and I saw her hide a “Clayton” there.

Message by Mitch Lyons, Station Gallery in Greenville

Rhoda Kahler must be one of the busiest artist in all of Chester County.  At Station Gallery in Greenville, Rhoda Kahler and clay artist Mitch Lyons will have a show “Twogether” opening October 6th, through October 28th. The show will feature the gorgeous clay monoprints and ceramic vessels of Mitch Lyons and Rhoda Kahler’s sculptures as well as her signature tiles pieces.

This Wednesday night, September 27, Rhoda Kahler will be at the Oxford Arts Alliance’s “Artists Talk” to discuss the current “Schaller, Friends and Family” show at the Oxford Arts Alliance.  Encaustic artist Jeff Schaller put together this wonderful gallery show that includes works by Jeff Schaller, his daughter Mia Schaller, and fellow artists Heather Davis, Paul Downie, Teresa Haag and Rhoda Kahler. For a particularly special treat, check out the collaboration artworks by each of these artists. I love the rounded sculptural form created by Rhoda and painted over by Jeff Schaller – what fun!  Make sure to check out the Artists Talk this Wednesday September 27th at 7 p.m. at the Oxford Arts Alliance!

This Thursday, September 28th from 5 to 7 p.m. join the photographers of “Remembering Lukens Steel” for an artist’s reception at the Luken Executive Office Building, 50 South First Avenue in Coatesville. “Remembering Lukens Steel, 120 Mill Photographs” is located at the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum in Coatesville.  The exhibition showcases images by ten Pennsylvania photographers: Anita Bower, James Bryan, Vincent Feldman, William Hill, R. Andrew Hoff, Eric Loken, Janet Martin-Aylam, Stephanie Thorn, Irene VanBuskirk, and Cheryl Lee White.  Photographs in the exhibition were created in a workshop organized to memorialize Coatesville’s industrial landscape.

Photographers were granted unique access to the former Lukens Steel Mill 120 on the grounds of the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum. The site afforded views of iconic steel structures that were fabricated in Coatesville, including the Tridents (trees) from the Twin Towers and a nuclear submarine sonar sphere. The show continues through December 28th.  Coatesville is experiencing a huge artistic rejuvenation right now that is very exciting, and The Art Partner’s Studio, which is responsible for “Remembering Lukens Steel” is a huge part of kick starting this new vitality to Coatesville.

About Lele Galer

Lele Galer is an artist who has chaired numerous art shows, taught art history and studio art, public art and has chaired, written and taught the Art in Action Art Appreciation series for the UCFD schools for the past 12 years. She worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and wrote for the Associated Press in Rome. She has been dedicated to Art History and art education for most of her adult life. Lele and her husband Brad own Galer Estate Winery in Kennett Square.

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Judge upholds Chadds Ford position

Chadds Ford Township has won a round in the ongoing litigation surrounding the proposed commercial development along Ridge Road. On Friday, Sept. 22, Judge Spiros E. Angelos, of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, upheld Chadds Ford’s argument that PennDOT should be named as an indispensable party to the action brought by Ridge Road Development.

In the decision, Angelos said, “Plaintiff’s amended complaint is dismissed without prejudice for the failure to join an indispensable party.”

What this means for the litigation and the development is unclear. Ridge Road Development attorney John Jaros said he could not yet comment on the decision, and Chadds Ford Township solicitor Michael Maddren did not return phone calls.

However, over the weekend, Chadds Ford Township Supervisors’ Chairman Frank Murphy sent an email to some residents saying he was pleased with the ruling.

He added: “Ridge Road Developers has the right to file another complaint adding PennDOT as a defendant and if they do the clock should start over from the filing of that complaint.”

The proposed development is for the 25-acre property at the southwest corner of the intersection of Ridge and Route 202 in Concord Township. However, it borders Chadds Ford Township. When Concord approved the plan in 2008 and reaffirmed it in 2014, there was a condition of approval that Chadds Ford Township sign off on highway improvement.

Murphy, in January, wrote a letter saying he would not sign off on the plan until Chadds Ford residents’ concerns about traffic were addressed.

In March, Jaros asked Concord to remove the condition, but Concord refused. He then filed suit in May, asking the court to either order the condition removed or to say Chadds Ford had tacitly already signified approval by signing off on a series of documents. Among those documents was the Highway Occupancy Permit that shows the proposed changes.

Those changes include widening Ridge Road from two lanes to six from Route 202 for about one-quarter of a mile.

The back and forth litigation first named Concord Township as a defendant, but Concord answered saying the plaintiff had to include Chadds Ford Township. Jaros amended the complaint naming Chadds Ford a defendant in July. Chadds Ford responded to that saying the suit must include PennDOT.

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.

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Joseph William Bohmier

Joseph William “Bill” Bohmier, 92, of New London, died Friday, Sept. 22, at his home. He was the husband of Valerie “Joyce” (Trelawny) Bohmier who died in 2015 and with whom he shared 67 years of marriage. Born Aug. 27, 1925, he was a son of Antoine “Tony” and Mary “Mae” (Osterman) Bohmier.

Joseph William Bohmier

Mr. Bohmier is survived by four of his six children, Michael Bohmier (Joy), Patti Crossan (Ken), Tom Bohmier (Robbie), and Polly Preston (Ed). Mr. Bohmier was pre-deceased by daughter Terry Bohmier, son Tim Bohmier and family (Sharon, Jessica, and Christina), and “adopted” son Teddy Marshall.  He has eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and six step-great-grandchildren.

Born and raised in Baraga, Mich., Bill developed business and outdoorsman skills early on while selling and guiding fishing excursions in the Great Lakes as a youth.

Once Bill and Joyce settled in New London, he and his business partner, Al Sheves, created and operated the New London Airport. They also co-founded Chester County Aviation Corporation (the longtime operator of Chester County Airport). In addition to a long-lasting career in aviation, he owned and operated many business concerns – most notably Quality Pools (a distributorship of the Foxx Pool Corporation).

Memberships in professional and civic organizations included Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Quiet Birdman, and the American Legion.

Bill was an avid North American hunter and fisherman. As a way to share this passion, he established the Canadian Fishing Camp which continues to be enjoyed by members today.

A steadfast nature and an entrepreneurial spirit marked his life. Vast experiences and relationships formed over the years allowed him to impact many lives.

Visitations to honor Mr. Bohmier and his family will be held at the Christian Life Center, 125 Saginaw Road, Lincoln University, PA 19352, on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 6-8 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 29 from 10-11 a.m. A Life Celebration Service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, and his burial will follow at Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: “Future Aviators Summer Camp” (memo – Bill Bohmier), c/o New Garden Flying Field, 1235 Newark Road, Toughkenamon, PA 19374.

Mr. Bohmier’s obituary may be viewed and condolences may be sent to the family at www.griecocares.com.

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Miguel Gutierrez Barajas of Wilmington

Miguel Gutierrez Barajas, 70, of Wilmington, died Saturday, Sept. 23, at Seasons Hospice at Christiana Hospice, Newark. He was the husband of Isabel Pantoja De Gutierrez, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage.

Miguel Gutierrez Barajas

Born in Yuriria, GTO, Mexico, he was the son of Margarita Barajas of Mexico and the late Jesus Gutierrez.

Miguel was a laborer at Phillips Mushroom Co, retiring in 2015, after 15 years of service.

He had a good sense of humor, always wore a sombrero, enjoyed watching old movies, scratch off lottery tickets, rodeos and being with his family.

In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by one son, Daniel Gutierrez and his wife Mirella of Landenberg; one daughter, Carmen Gutierrez and her husband Juan of Wilmington; two brothers, Manuel Gutierrez Barajas and Trinidad Gutierrez Barajas, both of Mexico; four sisters, Guadalupe Gutierrez Barajas of Mexico, Rosa Gutierrez Barajas of Grand Rapids, Mich., Elena Gutierrez of Arvin, Calif., and Soledad Gutierrez Barajas of Mexico; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, at St. Rocco Catholic Church, 313 Sunny Dell Road in Avondale. His funeral mass will follow at 7. Burial will be at noon, Thursday, Sept. 28, at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Route 82, Kennett Square.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www,griecocares.com

Arrangement by the Cleveland & Grieco Funeral Home, Avondale.

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Herbert “Andy” Anthony Andress of West Chester

Herbert “Andy” Anthony Andress, 48, of West Chester, died Thursday, Sept. 21, at his residence.

Herbert Andress

Born in Twentynine Palms, Calif., he was the son of William H. Andress and Shirley Huff Andress of Pattison, Miss.

Andy served his country honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, his cats and chickens, and being with his wife.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by one son, Michael Andress of Mississippi and one brother, Timothy Andress of San Jose, Calif. and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

His services will be held privately.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com

Arrangements by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, Kennett Square.

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Bill J. Osborne of Kennett Square

Bill J. Osborne, 77, of Kennett Square, died Tuesday, Sept. 19, at Twin Pines Health Care Center. He was the husband Selma Bernice Ham Osborne, who died in 2012 and with whom he shared 40 years of marriage.

Bill J. Osborne

Born in Mountain City, Tenn., he was the son of the late Burl Osborne and the late Rebecca Church Osborne.

Bill was a steelworker retiring from Lukens Steel Co., in Coatesville.

He enjoyed yard work, gardening and taking care of his family. He was a hard worker and would help anyone, whether he knew them or not.

He is survived by one son, Thomas Osborne and his wife Angie of Nottingham, and a grandson Austin Pierce of Kennett Square, who he helped raise; four daughters, Delores Garst and her husband Paul of West Grove, , Victoria Harris of West Grove, Ronnice Osborne of Kennett Square, and Katrice Osborne of Kennett Square; several brothers and sisters, 14 grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by four sons, William Osborne, Jr., Richard Osborne, John Osborne, and Tommy Briley; and his first wife, Brenda Daddazio Osborne.

A Memorial service will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the Mendenhall Inn, 323 Route 52, Mendenhall, PA 19357. Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Union Hill Cemetery, Route 82, Kennett Square, PA.

To view his online tribute and share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com

Arrangements by the Foulk & Grieco Funeral Home, West Grove.

 

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Chester County has much to celebrate

Chester County Day will open with the pomp and pageantry of a classic foxhunt

This year’s Chester County Day on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., will have much to celebrate.

In addition to continuing its 77-year tradition as the longest-running house tour in the country, the popular, area fundraiser will also honor the 125th anniversary of Chester County Hospital, which was founded in 1892.

The 2017 ticket-holders will have access to 25 private homes and four public sites in West Chester Borough and East Brandywine, Honey Brook, Wallace, East Nantmeal, West Nantmeal, and Warwick townships.

As always, the homes on display will showcase a wide array of striking, architectural styles. In East Nantmeal Township, history fans can enjoy an 18th-century farmhouse with wide plank floors and a walk-in fireplace; it boasts a left side dating back to 1742 and a right side added in 1789.

A short distance away, an 1808 barn spotlights the vision of its owners, who saw the building after it had lost its roof to a 1991 hurricane that also severely damaged the walls. Undaunted, they reused the existing materials, transforming the structure into a welcoming, three-story residence.

Visitors who prefer a more modern approach can marvel at a 2015 Colonial-style home in Olde Bulltown Village, built to look as if it has withstood many centuries.  Another contemporary dwelling in the northwest quadrant of the county also pays homage to the past. It was built in 1978 by Jim Cherry, who specialized in reproduction Colonial homes; in addition to many period details, it contains two studios: one for art and one for woodworking.

Many of the homes have outdoor areas and gardens that rival the impressive interiors, and a couple offer picnicking opportunities.

Chester County Day will open with the pomp and pageantry of a classic foxhunt. Dr. Addis’ Warwick Village Hounds and the Gable/Swisher Hounds will set off promptly at 9 a.m. from Warwick County Park, 382 County Park Road, Pottstown.

From there, ticket-holders can chart their own course, beginning and ending at the locations of their choice. At each locale, volunteer docents will be on hand to provide historic insight and anecdotes about the homes.

Tickets are $50 per person and are available online, by phone, or in person at the hospital or numerous satellite locations that are listed at www.ChesterCountyDay.com. On Friday, Oct. 6, preview parties featuring photos from each home on the tour will be held at the Longwood Gardens Visitors’ Center auditorium at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. and in Courtroom One of the Historic Courthouse in West Chester at 6 and 7:30 p.m.

Warwick County Park and Marshall Square Park will both serve as refreshment stops, where pre-ordered gourmet boxed lunches by Arianna’s Gourmet Café will be available, and Wyebrook Farms is offering a pre-ordered, pre-paid $20 per person buffet.

Those who opt to double their donation to $100 for the event will have a number of extra perks that are detailed on the event website. They include a gourmet boxed lunch from Montesano Bros. Italian Market & Catering, and access to a VIP house.  This year, the home will be an additional stop on a walking tour of residences around Marshall Square Park in West Chester, the original home of Chester County Hospital.

The Women’s Auxiliary’s to Chester County Hospital organizes Chester County Day, which has contributed $5 million to the hospital, the fastest growing medical facility in the region. Proceeds from the event will fund expansions and renovations to the hospital’s Newborn Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

 

 

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