Unless something changes, Pennsylvanians will be celebrating Thanksgiving under the again extended COVID-19 pandemic disaster declaration. Gov. Tom Wolf signed the extension order Monday.
Gov. Tom Wolf
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be of such magnitude or severity that emergency action is necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of affected citizens in Pennsylvania,” the governor said in the amended proclamation citing that, as of the end of August, COVID-19 had infected 134,025 Pennsylvanians and killed 7,495.
The original declaration was on March 6, and the governor extended it in early June through August. Yesterday’s extension is for another 90 days, which ends Nov. 29. Thanksgiving is Nov. 26 this year.
The declaration could end sooner if rescinded by Wolf or if the legislature can get it repealed. The state House of Representatives failed in that attempt earlier this summer when Wolf vetoed a House Resolution 836 that would have ended the declaration then/
The matter went to the state Supreme Court, which opined in a split decision that the case was a legal nullity because the resolution was never sent to the governor to sign or veto.
State House Republicans scheduled a press conference for Wednesday, Sept.2 at 10 a.m. to discuss holding Wolf accountable for the extended declaration, according to an email.
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.
Dr. Stephen Smith officially retired a few years ago but with all that he has going on, you’d never know it. After a long and successful career in dentistry, Smith pivoted to take on new challenges as a fine art photographer. Photography wasn’t entirely new to him though. In his work as a medical professional he’d been using numerous types of 35 mm cameras, including digital format, to expand his knowledge since 1957. As an artist, Smith is expanding on this knowledge by creating what he calls “Energized Art.”
“Tree of Live” A healing art painting by Stephen Smith
“The use of crystals to absorb and transfer energy is the basis of this new form of art. Each colorful original photograph, on hi-luminescent metallic photo-print, has gem crystals, gold, and silver embossed into the pictures, using stamps or painted liquid adhesives. Once designed, painted and placed, the powdered crystals are heated and coalesced to form a plasticized matrix.” His photo paintings vibrate with this technology, which Smith used in his dental practice for treating facial pain, joint swelling and more. Laser-pulsed light wave energy is embedded into crystal figures using TensCam and LaserCam physiotherapy devices. “Each week I seem to progress with more insights about linking beautiful photography with crystal painting; the result is that natural healing energy is emitted from the art piece.”
Dragonfly Abstract BubbleArt by Stephen Smith
Viewed live, this unique art form translates well for Smith. Unfortunately, with coronavirus wreaking havoc this year, opportunities to show his artwork dwindled. But things are picking up again. To really get a sense of what his work is all about, see it in person during the Chester County Studio Tour later this month. In November, Smith is exhibiting work at the holiday show “A Bit of the Arts” in Lansdowne. He also shows his work online at Getty Images/ESP, ArtMajeur, Shutterstock, and ETSY. And, his work is catalogued with “The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals, “an international organization based in Florence, Italy. For more information and to peruse Smith’s online gallery visit here.
Vidya Shyamsundar at work in the studio
Downingtown artist Vidya Shyamsundar paints colorful intricate geometric patterns & motifs inspired by her Indian culture. Another self-taught artist, her recent work focuses on mandalas, a meditative geometric art form and landscape art with elements of abstraction and realism. Shyamsundar previously worked in business and as a stay at home mom. She began taking art classes for a change of pace from her daily routines and it’s become her passion over the last five years. “I would have never thought signing up for an art class as an avenue for distraction from chores would steer me into a world of possibilities that I am pursuing now.”
While the pandemic has put a damper on many things, it’s provided an unusual amount of quality time for artists. “I am more creative and disciplined with my studio practice than I have ever been. My typical ritual consists of spending an average of four to five hours a day in chunks by making art, educating myself about art & business, and sharing my new works and stories in social media.”
A landscape painting by Vidya Shyamsundar
With more time for her studio practice, Shyamsundar designed a project that included sharing her process while providing an added feel good element for patrons, “I worked on a landscape series titled “Shades of Spring – A 30 Day Tiny Art Project.” Every day I posted one new 4” x 4” artwork for 30 days which included a time lapse video of my process from start to finish. All sales were generated via social media which were purchased through my website and 15% of the proceeds were donated to Chester County Art Association’s ‘Send a Kid to Camp’ program.”
Mandala by Vidya Shyamsundar
Sharing what goes on behind the scenes is scary for a lot of makers. It can be even more intimidating doing it virtually. “Engaging with the audience online does not come naturally to me. It has become a necessity, and I am working towards improving my online skills to connect and interact with my audience through Instagram and my website.” Shyamsundar will be showing as a guest artist at Stephen Smith Studio (#13) during the Chester County Studio Tour, outside the club house at Eagleview Town Center in Exton. Shyamsundar will also be participating in the online holiday art show, 25 Days of Minis beginning December 1st.
Another event worth checking out: Beginning September 8th, Locks Gallery is featuring an exhibition of alluring new oil paintings by Philadelphia-based artist Neysa Grassi, paired with colorful, spatial works by painter Joanna Pousette-Dart. To schedule an appointment, contact info@locksgallery.com.
A native of Philadelphia, Constance McBride lived in Arizona for 16 years, where desert observations made a transformative impact on her work as a research based visual artist. Passionate about contemporary art, she was actively engaged in the local arts community. She served as a board member for several art organizations, managed an artist collective/gallery space, curated and juried several exhibitions and wrote for two arts publications in Phoenix. She taught ceramics at Shemer Art Center and Museum and exhibited her work both locally and nationally. McBride returned to Pennsylvania in 2018 and resides in Chester Springs with her husband and two dogs. In West Chester, she serves as a board member at The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank and teaches ceramics at Chester County Art Association. She also teaches at Clay on Main in Oley, PA. She is a member of American Craft Council, Philadelphia Sculptors, and Women’s Caucus for Art, Philadelphia Chapter.
The Kennett Township supervisors will consider a resolution at their meeting Wednesday to determine if any racist policies exist in the township, among other things.
If approved, the resolution would create an advisory group to guide the supervisors about racial injustice, prompt a review of all township policies to ensure they are antiracist, allow for a closer examination of any policies that fail, allow for annual diversity training focused on confronting direct and indirect racism, and provide tools and resources in the township police department “to enhance emergency service delivery in times of crisis for all persons.”
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. on the Zoom app. A copy of the resolution and the meeting agenda can be found online at Kennett.pa.us.
“Thank you to everyone who shared feedback regarding the proposed resolution addressing Black lives from a few weeks ago,” township Manager Eden Ratliff said in a press release issued Monday. “We encourage your continued participation in this matter as your feedback informs the decisions of your local government.”
The resolution was discussed at the Aug. 19 meeting, where supervisors’ Chairman Richard Leff explained some of the board’s reasoning.
“Many have written to us in support of this resolution, saying it’s long overdue,” Leff said. “Some have written to us saying it’s a waste of time. For those who say there’s no evidence of racism in our township, I say there’s no reason not to react proactively.
“Can you put yourself in the place of a person of color living in our township? … Can we all not recognize the historical sanctioned mistreatment of Black lives in our country? Black lives matter. I will keep saying it until Blacks and others are afforded the same rights that I am.”
Kennett Township resident Anton Andrew, running for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, called racism a human rights issue. He said he supported the resolution “because it acknowledges that Kennett, like any other municipality, has work to do to identify racism. I hope this is a model for every other municipality.”
Monica Thompson Fragale is a freelance reporter who spent her life dreaming of being in the newspaper business. That dream came true after college when she started working at The Kennett Paper and, years later The Reporter newspaper in Lansdale and other dailies.
She turned to non-profit work after her first daughter was born and spent the next 13 years in that field.
But while you can take the girl out of journalism, you can’t take journalism out of the girl. Offers to freelance sparked the writing bug again started her fingers happily tapping away on the keyboard.
Monica lives with her husband and two children in Kennett Square.
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.
