When Jamie Wyeth was a student at Chadds Ford Elementary School his mother initiated what has become a long standing tradition, The Chadds Ford Art Show. After a year full of change, Meredith Petruccelli, artist liaison for the event is happy to share her enthusiasm for this year’s show saying, “In the wake of our cancellation last year and after enduring a year of shutdowns and distancing, we’ve pivoted to an online platform. This is just another example of Chadds Ford Elementary School embracing tradition while welcoming innovation. We believe that Mrs. Wyeth, a bold and innovative woman, would be delighted to see the show go on even when the pandemic precludes being physically together.”
Over 60 artists from the Brandywine Valley and beyond will be sharing work in a variety of media on the online platform via the website 32Auctions.com. “Artists have chosen to join us in what feels like a reemergence. They have been prolific in this pandemic period and are showing the products of their passionate artistic expression.” Petruccelli is confident this format will engage the show’s longstanding patrons while also appealing to a broader audience. “Patrons are sure to be excited by our auction format, which we hope will feel more interactive than simply shopping online.” The platform looks very easy to navigate and includes 10 tips for browsing and bidding as well as a sneak peek of the show via YouTube.
The event has long showcased works to satisfy every taste and budget. Patrons may also bid on local services and crafts including works of jewelry, wood, glass and more. A smart feature of the show gives Chadds Ford Elementary School families a chance to bid on unique experiences with teachers and staff. It’s a testament to the school’s status as a place of academic excellence and creative learning. “Carrying on the 72 year old tradition has been a labor of love for hundreds of parent volunteers throughout the decades. Indeed there are not many public elementary schools who are lucky enough to have a longstanding relationship with an auspicious family of artists such as the Wyeths. The show is a point of pride for our school and the Chadds Ford community at large.”
Many beloved artists are on board including Jacalyn Beam, Richard Bollinger, Stephen Brehm, Frank DePietro, Shawn Faust, Lele Galer, Madeleine Kelly, Don Shoffner, Beth Palser, Rinal Parikh, Vidya Shyamsundar, Helena van Emmerik-Finn, Merrill Weber to name a few. Petruccelli summed things up saying, “We would like to publicly thank our artists, patrons, volunteers, community sponsors, family sponsors, teachers and staff members for making the show what is sure to be a rousing success!” The 72nd Annual Art Show & Auction will be held from March 18th to the 21st. 30% of all sales go directly to the PTO to fund school programs. A preview of the show will be available on March 17th at 8:00 a.m. here. Live bidding begins on March 18th at 6:00 p.m. here.
In West Chester, The Art Trust has mounted a new exhibition titled 12 x 12 x 12. This unique show was devised after the organization received an anonymous donation with a stipulation that the amount provided was to be used for an exhibition. The board came up with the idea of inviting 12 artists to create four works each using canvases purchased by The Art Trust. Artists were free to cover each substrate however way they saw fit. By using a variety of conventional and not so conventional materials, these works are eye candy for contemporary art enthusiasts.
The results are on view in the gallery now through April 23rd. Board president Liz Ruff shared her excitement about the show saying, “We wanted this exhibit to invoke the renewal of spring. We wanted the work to be energetic, colorful and thought provoking and that’s what we got. We are really excited the artists we picked agreed to participate.”
The artists are Constance Culpepper, Karen Delaney, Alex Griffin, Mary Lou Jenkins, Al Johnson, Carole Loeffler, Kathy Loev- Putnam, Emilio Maldonado, Lauren E. Peters, Joseph Lazaro Rodriguez, Temre Stanchfield and Dane Tilghman. The common thread? They are all storytellers at heart. Through disparate materials, they address themes of identity, gender, public versus private spaces, the cycle of life and spirituality. This fascinating show can be viewed online here and in person during business hours at Meridian Bank, The Art Trust’s corporate sponsor. Meridian provides 100% support, allowing The Art Trust to use net proceeds from sales for art scholarships & sponsorships. Be sure to catch the Eat Drink and be Artsy segments and meet the artists; every Thursday at 5:00 p.m. here on Instagram.
Whatever you do this week, support the arts!!
About Constance McBride
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.
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