Two different approaches to one favorite medium – watercolor. Both artists have several signature memberships in watercolor societies. Regina Gouger Miller has been selected to be in group and solo shows in galleries throughout the country. Lynn Millar has been juried into art shows from New York City to Missouri and her work has won multiple awards.

The show continues through June 9, 2012.  Please visit studiobbb.org for more information.

The Youth Advisory Council and the board of Berks County Community Foundation have awarded a grant to Studio B to fund its program entitled “Free to Be Me 2.0.” The Free to Be Me 2.0 program, will utilize a multi-sensory approach to develop self-awareness and self-esteem through the visual and theatre arts, writing and cooperative activities for young people from 7-14.

The program in two parts involves workshops for junior high school children, a collaborative effort with the local school district, and a summer camp for children 7-11.

Junior High: The workshops for teenagers will coordinate with a study of the book by Sean Covey entitled 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens and involve a variety of creative, art-related opportunities designed to increase self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-confidence; build relationships with other members of the community—young and not-so-young; refine communication skills; develop teambuilding and leadership skills; and promote appreciation for others—critical to diminishing the behaviors known as bullying.

Practicing and illustrating habits of effective people through discussion, role-playing, script writing and presenting mini-plays will provide students with samples and examples of behavior that will serve them throughout their lives. Kathy Galtere, former Boyertown Area School District English teacher, actor, director, writer and producer, will facilitate the workshops along with Lauren Piccione, instructor at Boyertown Junior High School West. Videotapes of the mini-plays along with discussion questions will be made available to interested groups.

Ages 7-11: The five-day “Happy to Be Me” camp, August 6-10, 2012, is being offered by artist and instructor Angela Colasanti. “We want to provide an opportunity for young students to come to a cooperative non-judgmental environment in the spirit of peace, inspiration and creativity and participate in a variety of self-discovery exercises and surveys,” explained Colasanti.

Colasanti commented on the mission of her work: “Life is difficult. Sadly, bullying behavior—among young and old alike—makes headlines everyday. Our goal as parents and caring adults is to build resilience in our children through developing the self-awareness, self-esteem, and coping skills necessary to counter the many negative forces in their lives.”

She continued, “During the ages of seven to eleven, children are developing and affirming social patterns and behaviors with their peers which form the building block for the teenage experiences. When adults intervene during these years and help students to develop individual habits of effective living and more positive pro-social behaviors, the hope is that the students will neither need to intimidate or bully others, nor be susceptible to bullying by others.  The workshop and camp experiences aim to develop positive self-esteem through the use of creative self-expression.”

Activities will include drawing and painting; writing songs; role-playing; reflective writing; script writing; discussion; communications exercises in handling and delivering criticism, negotiation and mediation techniques, and effective listening. Projects will include a Peace Flag, a Self-Portrait Power Plaque, and a Handmade Art Journal.

For more information or to register: email Jane

The show’s opening reception and artist awards presentation is April 20, from 5-8 p.m. The exhibit runs through May 15.

The juror, Lynn Millar, has been exhibiting her paintings since 1977. She has been accepted in the juried Pennsylvania Watercolor Society; is a signature member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society’s Mid-Atlantic Show, and the Philadelphia Watercolor Society.

Millar is an accomplished graphic designer and active member in the Berks Arts Alliance and Studio B.

“The idea came to me because there are so many ways to express landscapes that don’t include land. I love landscapes. They are probably my favorite genre to look at and live with but then there are cityscapes, seascapes and gardenscapes that are also enjoyable. I wondered what scapes other artists have produced and enjoyed.” — Lynn Millar

The exhibit and contest is sponsored by Liberty Environmental Inc., Reading, Pa.

The event is also the annual flagship exhibition for membership to Studio B. Joining Studio B as a member entitles each artist promotion on our website, including images and links to their site. Membership also covers the entry into the annual members’ exhibition held each year in December.

Studio B, in Boyertown, will show “Roy G BIV,” an exhibit featuring seven artists inspired by the colors of the rainbow. The show opens Friday, March 16, with a public reception from 5 – 8 p.m.

The exhibit was inspired by 17th century scientist Isaac Newton’s explanation of the rainbow, according to gallery director Susan Biebuyck.

“Newton explained the rainbow by passing light through a prism and identified the visible spectra as seven distinct colors represented in the acronym ‘Roy G. Biv.’ ”

“Our show is a collection of art from seven artists whose creativity acted as a prism — refracting, bending and expanding their interpretations of each color into an array of styles and techniques.”

Participating artists include:

• Rich Houck
• Birdie Zoltan
• Judy Lupas
• Lauralynn White
• Cynthia Thomasset
• Suzanne Fellows
• Susan Biebuyck

The show will be hung in the order of nature’s light spectrum.

The exhibit will be open through April 14.

“This is one of our favorite shows,” said Gallery Director Susan Biebuyck. “Our artists always impress us with their innovation and fresh takes on the traditional subjects of agriculture and farming.”

The show features entries in all media from artists in Berks County and beyond. The past three years have featured a broad spectrum of work, and this year’s show includes everything from wood sculpture to watercolor to oil to mixed media.

This year, “The Farm” was be juried by Daniel Gorman, a much loved local artist who has a unique affinity for the subject matter as he lives and paints on a Berks County farm.

The show will hang through March 10, 2012.

Winners included:

Barrie Maguire – Best in Show
Todd Trainer – 2nd Place
Lyn Camella – 3rd Place

Lauralynn White – Most humorous
Crystal Domino – Produce Award
Mary Ann Daily – Most Traditional
Joesph Szimhard- Juror’s Choice Award

James Doddy – Honorable Mention
Jeff Arbogast – Honorable Mention
Earl Lehman – Honorable Mention
Amy Schade – Honorable Mention
Lynn Millar – Honorable Mention
Rhonda Counts – Honorable Menti